What oil does Sonic fry in?
Sonic fries in soybean oil and vegetable oil blend.
In detail: soy-based vegetable oil fryer shortening (fries, tots, onion rings); soy-containing bun oil on grilled items.
Source: Sonic Ingredient Information, read October 22, 2026. Fryer Shortening | Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid added to help protect flavor.
Ordering at Sonic? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderSonic at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean oil and vegetable oil blend |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | A (3.1 g average per item, 383 items) |
| Last checked | October 22, 2026 |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes · Vegetable oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Sonic
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 |
|---|---|
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 0.8g |
| Chicago Hot Dog | 1.2g |
| All-American Hot Dog | 1.3g |
| Regular Hot Dog | 1.3g |
| New York Hot Dog | 1.4g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Sonic 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 Sonic 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 Sonic 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 Sonic fry in?
Sonic fries in soybean oil and vegetable oil blend. In detail: soy-based vegetable oil fryer shortening (fries, tots, onion rings); soy-containing bun oil on grilled items.
Does Sonic use seed oils?
Yes. Sonic fries in soybean oil and vegetable oil blend. Its seed oil grade is A, about 3.1 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Sonic use beef tallow?
No. Sonic fries in soybean oil and vegetable oil blend, not beef tallow.
Does Sonic use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Sonic fries in soybean oil and vegetable oil blend. 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 Sonic?
Burger Patty Only (No Bun) (0.8 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Chicago Hot Dog (1.2 g) and All-American Hot Dog (1.3 g).
Which Sonic item has the most seed oil?
SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger, at about 26.8 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.