What oil does Pilot Flying J fry in?
Pilot Flying J cooks with Fryer is "Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ" per the chain's own ingredient statements (wings, tenders, chicken filets) - confirmed. Biscuits use hydrogenated palm kernel oil shortening. Tornados are soybean/canola/corn; tortillas are palm; the tater tots par-fry is canola/palm/soybean/sunflower. Ranch is soybean. Pizza dough uses a palm/soybean/canola blend..
The 5 cleanest things to order at Pilot Flying J
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 |
|---|---|
| All-Beef Hot Dog w/ Bun | 1.7g |
| Buffalo Rollerbite | 2.1g |
| Macaroni & Cheese | 2.4g |
| Cheesy Pepper Jack Tornado | 3.5g |
| Cheese Pizza (1 slice) | 4.4g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
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 Pilot Flying J report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does Pilot Flying J use beef tallow?
No. Pilot Flying J cooks with Fryer is "Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ" per the chain's own ingredient statements (wings, tenders, chicken filets) - confirmed. Biscuits use hydrogenated palm kernel oil shortening. Tornados are soybean/canola/corn; tortillas are palm; the tater tots par-fry is canola/palm/soybean/sunflower. Ranch is soybean. Pizza dough uses a palm/soybean/canola blend., not beef tallow. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.