What oil does Qdoba fry in?
Qdoba fries in canola and soybean oil.
In detail: Soybean oil throughout — rice, grilled proteins, queso and tortillas all contain soybean oil; chips fried in a canola/soybean/sunflower vegetable oil blend.
Ordering at Qdoba? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderQdoba at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Canola and soybean oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | A (3.9 g average per item, 136 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Canola oil: Yes · Soybean oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Qdoba
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 |
|---|---|
| Brisket Birria | 0.4g |
| Ground Beef | 0.7g |
| Pork Carnitas | 0.9g |
| Street Style Pork Carnitas Tacos | 2.7g |
| Plant-Based Impossible | 3.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Qdoba 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 orderWhat oil do other chains like Qdoba use?
- What oil does Taco Bell use? Canola oil
- What oil does Chipotle use? High-oleic sunflower and canola oil
- What oil does Moe's Southwest Grill use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Del Taco use? Soybean and canola oil
- What oil does Taco John's use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Taco Cabana use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Torchy's Tacos use? Soybean oil and vegetable oil blend (estimated)
- What oil does Fuzzy's Taco Shop use? Soybean 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 Qdoba 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 Qdoba fry in?
Qdoba fries in canola and soybean oil. In detail: Soybean oil throughout — rice, grilled proteins, queso and tortillas all contain soybean oil; chips fried in a canola/soybean/sunflower vegetable oil blend.
Does Qdoba use seed oils?
Yes. Qdoba fries in canola and soybean oil. Its seed oil grade is A, about 3.9 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Qdoba use beef tallow?
No. Qdoba fries in canola and soybean oil, not beef tallow.
Does Qdoba use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Qdoba fries in canola and 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 Qdoba?
Brisket Birria (0.4 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Cheese Quesadilla (5.0 g) and Chicken Burrito Bowl (5.5 g).
Which Qdoba item has the most seed oil?
Double Protein Post-Workout Bowl (Steak), at about 34.5 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.