What oil does In-N-Out Burger fry in?
In-N-Out Burger fries in sunflower oil.
In detail: 100% sunflower oil for fries (cut fresh in-store; switched off cottonseed oil around 2017); burgers cooked on a flat-top with minimal added oil; spread and dressings are soybean-oil based.
Source: In-N-Out Nutrition Information, January 2026. Potatoes prepared fresh in 100% sunflower oil.
Ordering at In-N-Out Burger? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderIn-N-Out Burger at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Sunflower oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | B (5.0 g average per item, 38 items) |
| Last checked | January 2026 |
| Is it a seed oil? | Sunflower oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at In-N-Out Burger
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 |
|---|---|
| Cheeseburger Protein Style | 3.5g |
| Double-Double Protein Style | 3.5g |
| Hamburger Protein Style | 4.7g |
| Cheeseburger | 5.1g |
| Double-Double | 5.1g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your In-N-Out Burger 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 In-N-Out Burger has changed its frying oil
In a May 2025 update, owner Lynsi Snyder said the chain is researching a better quality oil for its fries and has already pulled cottonseed oil out of its buns. No replacement fry oil has been named. Source
Every documented oil switch across the industry lives on the Oil History timeline.
What oil do other chains like In-N-Out Burger 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 Whataburger use? Soybean oil and vegetable oil blend
- What oil does Culver's use? Canola oil
- 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 In-N-Out Burger 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 In-N-Out Burger fry in?
In-N-Out Burger fries in sunflower oil. In detail: 100% sunflower oil for fries (cut fresh in-store; switched off cottonseed oil around 2017); burgers cooked on a flat-top with minimal added oil; spread and dressings are soybean-oil based.
Does In-N-Out Burger use seed oils?
Yes. In-N-Out Burger fries in sunflower oil. Its seed oil grade is B, about 5.0 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does In-N-Out Burger use beef tallow?
No. In-N-Out Burger fries in sunflower oil, not beef tallow.
Does In-N-Out Burger use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. In-N-Out Burger fries in sunflower 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 In-N-Out Burger?
Cheeseburger Protein Style (3.5 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Cheeseburger (5.1 g) and Cheeseburger Animal Style (9.0 g).
Which In-N-Out Burger item has the most seed oil?
Animal Style Fries, at about 17.0 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.