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What oil does Taco Time fry in?

Taco Time fries in canola oil.

In detail: Canola in the fryers, per TacoTime's own ingredient statement: taco shells, chips, crisp burritos and Mexi-Fries are fried in canola. The Mexi-Fries arrive pre-fried in a soybean/canola shortening. Ranch and other sauces are soybean/canola mayo; seasoned beef and cheddar carry the saturated fat.

Ordering at Taco Time? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.

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Taco Time at a glance

Fry oil (US)Canola oil
Seed oilsYes
Beef tallowNo
Peanut oilNo
Seed oil gradeB (5.6 g average per item, 99 items)
Is it a seed oil?Canola oil: Yes
BMedium Risk: 5.6g avg PUFA/item across 99 items

The 5 cleanest things to order at Taco Time

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.

ItemPUFA
Casita Burrito (Chicken)2.1g
Grilled Steak Quesadilla2.9g
Fresh Veggie Taco Salad3.0g
Soft Taco (chicken)3.1g
Crisp Beef Taco3.1g

Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.

Build your Taco Time 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.

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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 Taco Time 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 Taco Time fry in?

Taco Time fries in canola oil. In detail: Canola in the fryers, per TacoTime's own ingredient statement: taco shells, chips, crisp burritos and Mexi-Fries are fried in canola. The Mexi-Fries arrive pre-fried in a soybean/canola shortening. Ranch and other sauces are soybean/canola mayo; seasoned beef and cheddar carry the saturated fat.

Does Taco Time use seed oils?

Yes. Taco Time fries in canola oil. Its seed oil grade is B, about 5.6 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.

Does Taco Time use beef tallow?

No. Taco Time fries in canola oil, not beef tallow.

Does Taco Time use peanut oil?

Not that we can find. Taco Time fries in canola 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 Taco Time?

Casita Burrito (Chicken) (2.1 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Grilled Steak Quesadilla (2.9 g) and Fresh Veggie Taco Salad (3.0 g).

Which Taco Time item has the most seed oil?

Stuffed Mexi-Fries (Large), at about 17.7 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.

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