What oil does Carl's Jr. fry in?
Carl's Jr. cooks with soybean and canola oil.
In detail: soybean and canola blend (confirmed via ingredient/allergen disclosures; PUFA fraction ~0.42).
Ordering at Carl's Jr.? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderCarl's Jr. at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean and canola oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | D (8.5 g average per item, 97 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes · Canola oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Carl's Jr.
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 1.1g |
| Big Cheeseburger | 1.3g |
| El Diablo | 4.1g |
| El Diablo - Double | 4.3g |
| Double Cheeseburger | 5.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Carl's Jr. order
Pick your meal, sides, sauces and drink in the app and see your seed oil total before you order. It logs to your day in one tap. Free on iPhone and Android.
Build my orderWhat oil do other chains like Carl's Jr. use?
- What oil does McDonald's use? Canola and soybean oil
- What oil does Burger King use? Corn and cottonseed oil
- What oil does Wendy's use? Canola and cottonseed oil
- What oil does Five Guys use? Peanut oil
- What oil does In-N-Out Burger use? Sunflower oil
- What oil does Whataburger use? Soybean oil and vegetable oil blend
- What oil does Culver's use? Canola oil
- What oil does Shake Shack use? Soybean oil
Why the frying oil matters
Most fast-food chains fry in seed oils like soybean, canola, corn, or a blend of them, which are high in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA). A handful still use beef tallow or other stable fats, which are far lower in PUFA. The oil a kitchen fries in is the single biggest driver of how much seed oil ends up on your plate. See the full breakdown on the Carl's Jr. report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.
Frequently asked
What oil does Carl's Jr. fry in?
Carl's Jr. cooks with soybean and canola oil. In detail: soybean and canola blend (confirmed via ingredient/allergen disclosures; PUFA fraction ~0.42).
Does Carl's Jr. use seed oils?
Yes. Carl's Jr. cooks with soybean and canola oil. Its seed oil grade is D, about 8.5 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Carl's Jr. use beef tallow?
No. Carl's Jr. cooks with soybean and canola oil, not beef tallow.
Does Carl's Jr. use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Carl's Jr. cooks with soybean and canola oil. If you have a peanut allergy, ask the restaurant directly, because oils and suppliers can vary by location.
What is the lowest seed oil order at Carl's Jr.?
Burger Patty Only (No Bun) (1.1 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Big Cheeseburger (1.3 g) and Double Cheeseburger (5.0 g).
Which Carl's Jr. item has the most seed oil?
Grilled Cheese Breakfast Sandwich (Sausage), at about 24.5 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.