What oil does CAVA fry in?
CAVA most likely cooks with olive and sunflower oil, but the chain has not confirmed it.
In detail: Extra virgin olive oil blended with pressed sunflower oil: CAVA told The Daily Dot (July 2024) that it uses "pressed sunflower oil blended with our extra virgin olive oil in many of our recipes" for cold holding and cooking, and the kitchen can shown on video listed sunflower oil first. CAVA's own Nutrition and Allergen Guide names no oils, so which recipes use straight olive oil is not stated. The falafel fryer oil is not named; its printed 2 g saturated on 26 g fat (under 10%) fits straight sunflower or canola rather than an olive blend. Tahini (sesame) adds PUFA to the hummus, red pepper hummus and Lemon Herb Tahini dressing.
Ordering at CAVA? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderCAVA at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Olive and sunflower oil (estimated) |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | A (3.3 g average per item, 110 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Olive oil: No · Sunflower oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at CAVA
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 |
|---|---|
| Braised Lamb (protein) | 0.7g |
| Steak (protein) | 0.8g |
| Braised Beef | 2.0g |
| Roasted Chicken | 2.0g |
| Strawberry Steak Salad | 2.2g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your CAVA 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 orderHow CAVA has changed its frying oil
After a customer video showed the label on a Cava oil can, the company said in July 2024 that it uses pressed sunflower oil blended with its extra virgin olive oil in many recipes for consistency. Nothing changed on the menu, this was Cava putting its blend on the record. Source
Every documented oil switch across the industry lives on the Oil History timeline.
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 CAVA 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 CAVA fry in?
CAVA most likely cooks with olive and sunflower oil, but the chain has not confirmed it. In detail: Extra virgin olive oil blended with pressed sunflower oil: CAVA told The Daily Dot (July 2024) that it uses "pressed sunflower oil blended with our extra virgin olive oil in many of our recipes" for cold holding and cooking, and the kitchen can shown on video listed sunflower oil first. CAVA's own Nutrition and Allergen Guide names no oils, so which recipes use straight olive oil is not stated. The falafel fryer oil is not named; its printed 2 g saturated on 26 g fat (under 10%) fits straight sunflower or canola rather than an olive blend. Tahini (sesame) adds PUFA to the hummus, red pepper hummus and Lemon Herb Tahini dressing.
Does CAVA use seed oils?
Yes. CAVA most likely cooks with olive and sunflower oil. The chain has not confirmed it. Its seed oil grade is A, about 3.3 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does CAVA use beef tallow?
No. CAVA most likely cooks with olive and sunflower oil, not beef tallow. The chain has not confirmed it.
Does CAVA use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. CAVA most likely cooks with olive and sunflower oil. The chain has not confirmed it. 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 CAVA?
Steak (protein) (0.8 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Strawberry Steak Salad (2.2 g) and Grilled Chicken Bowl (greens base) (3.0 g).
Which CAVA item has the most seed oil?
Greek Goddess Salmon Bowl, at about 15.8 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.