What oil does Cracker Barrel fry in?
Cracker Barrel fries in soybean oil.
In detail: Soybean oil (in the fryers; disclosed in Cracker Barrel allergen/ingredient documentation; used for all frying including chicken, okra, catfish, and baking shortening).
Source: Cracker Barrel Allergen Guide (Spanish edition), August 18, 2026. Frito (aceite de soya)
Ordering at Cracker Barrel? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderCracker Barrel at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | D (9.5 g average per item, 183 items) |
| Last checked | August 18, 2026 |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Cracker Barrel
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 |
|---|---|
| Country Ham Slice | 1.9g |
| Lil' Barrel Cheeseburger | 1.9g |
| Grilled Chicken Tenders | 2.1g |
| Sugar Cured Ham | 2.3g |
| Smokehouse Grilled Chicken | 2.6g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Cracker Barrel 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 Cracker Barrel has changed its frying oil
On May 17, 2007 Cracker Barrel laid out a plan to take artificial trans fat out of every item on its menu by the middle of 2008. The company said it had been reworking recipes with suppliers since late 2006. Source
Every documented oil switch across the industry lives on the Oil History timeline.
What oil do other chains like Cracker Barrel use?
- What oil does IHOP use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Denny's use? Soybean and canola oil
- What oil does Waffle House use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Bob Evans use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Perkins Restaurant & Bakery use? Soybean and canola oil
- What oil does Huddle House use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Black Bear Diner use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Eat'n Park use? Cottonseed and canola 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 Cracker Barrel 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 Cracker Barrel fry in?
Cracker Barrel fries in soybean oil. In detail: Soybean oil (in the fryers; disclosed in Cracker Barrel allergen/ingredient documentation; used for all frying including chicken, okra, catfish, and baking shortening).
Does Cracker Barrel use seed oils?
Yes. Cracker Barrel fries in soybean oil. Its seed oil grade is D, about 9.5 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Cracker Barrel use beef tallow?
No. Cracker Barrel fries in soybean oil, not beef tallow.
Does Cracker Barrel use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Cracker Barrel fries in soybean 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 Cracker Barrel?
Lil' Barrel Cheeseburger (1.9 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Grilled Chicken Tenders (2.1 g) and House Salad (2.7 g).
Which Cracker Barrel item has the most seed oil?
Weekend Nashville Hot Southern Fried Chicken, at about 102.9 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.