What oil does Culver's fry in?
Culver's fries in canola oil.
In detail: Canola oil in the fryers (crinkle-cut fries, cheese curds, onion rings, fish): Culver's own nutrition portal says 'Cooked in Canola Oil.' (read 2026-10-22); does not use beef tallow.
Source: Culver's nutrition menu (Nutritionix), read October 22, 2026. Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One or More of the Following: Canola, Palm, Soybean, Sunflower), [...] Dextrose, Xanthan Gum. Cooked in Canola Oil. (Cross-contact occurs with other allergens, including gluten, during cooking).
Ordering at Culver's? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderCulver's at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Canola oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | B (5.3 g average per item, 213 items) |
| Last checked | October 22, 2026 |
| Is it a seed oil? | Canola oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Culver's
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) | 0.8g |
| Beef Pot Roast | 1.6g |
| Butterfly Jumbo Shrimp Value Basket (3 pc) | 2.1g |
| Grilled Cheese | 2.1g |
| Sourdough Melt | 2.6g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Culver's 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 Culver's has changed its frying oil
Culver's announced the plan in December 2006 and had every restaurant on 100 percent canola oil by March 1, 2007. It took about two years of testing with Cargill to land on the replacement. Source
Every documented oil switch across the industry lives on the Oil History timeline.
What oil do other chains like Culver's 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 Shake Shack use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Smashburger use? Beef tallow
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 Culver's 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 Culver's fry in?
Culver's fries in canola oil. In detail: Canola oil in the fryers (crinkle-cut fries, cheese curds, onion rings, fish): Culver's own nutrition portal says 'Cooked in Canola Oil.' (read 2026-10-22); does not use beef tallow.
Does Culver's use seed oils?
Yes. Culver's fries in canola oil. Its seed oil grade is B, about 5.3 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Culver's use beef tallow?
No. Culver's fries in canola oil, not beef tallow.
Does Culver's use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Culver's fries in 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 Culver's?
Burger Patty Only (No Bun) (0.8 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Sourdough Melt (2.6 g) and Chicken Tenders (2 pc) (3.5 g).
Which Culver's item has the most seed oil?
North Atlantic Cod Dinner (3 pc), at about 40.4 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.