What oil does Smashburger fry in?
Smashburger fries in beef tallow.
In detail: 100% beef tallow in the fryers, butter on the grill, and a blended oil on Smash Fries (FAQ verbatim, smashburger.com/faq, read 2026-10-18; it said a beef tallow/canola blend until at least July 2026).
Source: Smashburger FAQ, read October 20, 2026. We currently use butter on the grill, 100% beef tallow oil in our fryers, and a blended oil on our Smash Fries.
Ordering at Smashburger? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderSmashburger at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Beef tallow |
| Seed oils | Not in the fryer |
| Beef tallow | Yes |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | C (7.7 g average per item, 110 items) |
| Last checked | October 20, 2026 |
| Is it a seed oil? | Beef tallow: No |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Smashburger
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-American Smash | 3.3g |
| Avocado Green Goddess Salad | 4.0g |
| Classic Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 5.0g |
| 3 Tenders | 5.0g |
| Smashfries | 5.4g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Smashburger 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 Smashburger has changed its frying oil
Smashburger's own FAQ said "beef tallow/canola oil in our fryers" in the Internet Archive copy of July 8, 2026. When we read it on October 18, 2026 the same answer said "butter on the grill, 100% beef tallow oil in our fryers, and a blended oil on our Smash Fries." Smashburger has not published the date of the change. Source
Every documented oil switch across the industry lives on the Oil History timeline.
What oil do other chains like Smashburger 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 Culver's use? Canola oil
- What oil does Shake Shack 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 Smashburger 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 Smashburger fry in?
Smashburger fries in beef tallow. In detail: 100% beef tallow in the fryers, butter on the grill, and a blended oil on Smash Fries (FAQ verbatim, smashburger.com/faq, read 2026-10-18; it said a beef tallow/canola blend until at least July 2026).
Does Smashburger use seed oils?
Not in the fryer: Smashburger fries in beef tallow. Some other items still contain seed oils, so check the grams for each one.
Does Smashburger use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. Smashburger fries in beef tallow.
Does Smashburger use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Smashburger fries in beef tallow. 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 Smashburger?
Avocado Green Goddess Salad (4.0 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Classic Grilled Chicken Sandwich (5.0 g) and 3 Tenders (5.0 g).
Which Smashburger item has the most seed oil?
Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad, at about 26.7 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.