What oil does Panda Express fry in?
Panda Express fries in soybean oil.
In detail: soybean oil (most entrees, wok cooking, chow mein, fried rice).
Ordering at Panda Express? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderPanda Express at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | A (3.5 g average per item, 94 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Panda Express
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 |
|---|---|
| Cream Cheese Rangoon (3 pc) | 3.0g |
| Grilled Teriyaki Chicken | 4.0g |
| Black Pepper Sirloin Steak | 4.5g |
| Veggie Spring Roll (2 pc) | 5.0g |
| String Bean Chicken Breast | 7.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Panda Express 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 orderWhy 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 Panda Express 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 Panda Express fry in?
Panda Express fries in soybean oil. In detail: soybean oil (most entrees, wok cooking, chow mein, fried rice).
Does Panda Express use seed oils?
Yes. Panda Express fries in soybean oil. Its seed oil grade is A, about 3.5 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Panda Express use beef tallow?
No. Panda Express fries in soybean oil, not beef tallow.
Does Panda Express use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Panda Express 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 Panda Express?
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (4.0 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Black Pepper Sirloin Steak (4.5 g) and Black Pepper Angus Steak (9.0 g).
Which Panda Express item has the most seed oil?
Bigger Plate (1 side + 3 entrees), at about 25.0 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.