Gaucho UK Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Gaucho UK cooks with: rapeseed (vegetable) oil in the fryers, the UK foodservice default for a restaurant group of this size; the parrilla is the heart of the kitchen so steaks, churrasco cuts and chateaubriand are chargrilled over charcoal with only an olive-oil/garlic/parsley marinade, which keeps every steak in low single digits (grass-fed beef fat is only about 3-4% PUFA); the PUFA is concentrated in the fryer and the emulsions - chips, squid chicharron, cheese & truffle croquettes, crisp aubergine milanese, crispy tofu and the crispy wonton in the steak tartare all come out of rapeseed fryers, and salsa macha (a chilli-and-nut oil sauce), salsa macha mayo, Caesar dressing and the chilli-and-mustard salad dressing are seed-oil led, so 'steak plus chips' dishes and the fried/mayo-dressed plates score far higher than the steaks themselves; chimichurri, basil oil and the gazpacho are olive-oil based and score low. Across the 40 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.4g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Safest Orders at Gaucho UK
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.
Cleanest full order: Fillet Steak 200g + Americano, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Fillet Steak 200g | 2.0g |
| Rump Steak 300g | 2.0g |
| Latin Mac and Cheese | 2.0g |
| Eggs Benedict | 2.0g |
| Sirloin Steak 300g | 3.0g |
What to Avoid at Gaucho UK
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Miso-Chipotle Crispy Tofu Salad | 15.0g |
| The Gaucho Burger | 14.0g |
| Gaucho Steak and Eggs | 13.0g |
| Aubergine Milanese | 12.0g |
| Flat Iron Chicken | 12.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Gaucho UK use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Gaucho UK cooks with: rapeseed (vegetable) oil in the fryers, the UK foodservice default for a restaurant group of this size; the parrilla is the heart of the kitchen so steaks, churrasco cuts and chateaubriand are chargrilled over charcoal with only an olive-oil/garlic/parsley marinade, which keeps every steak in low single digits (grass-fed beef fat is only about 3-4% PUFA); the PUFA is concentrated in the fryer and the emulsions - chips, squid chicharron, cheese & truffle croquettes, crisp aubergine milanese, crispy tofu and the crispy wonton in the steak tartare all come out of rapeseed fryers, and salsa macha (a chilli-and-nut oil sauce), salsa macha mayo, Caesar dressing and the chilli-and-mustard salad dressing are seed-oil led, so 'steak plus chips' dishes and the fried/mayo-dressed plates score far higher than the steaks themselves; chimichurri, basil oil and the gazpacho are olive-oil based and score low. Across the 40 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.4g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does Gaucho UK cook with?
Our research indicates: rapeseed (vegetable) oil in the fryers, the UK foodservice default for a restaurant group of this size; the parrilla is the heart of the kitchen so steaks, churrasco cuts and chateaubriand are chargrilled over charcoal with only an olive-oil/garlic/parsley marinade, which keeps every steak in low single digits (grass-fed beef fat is only about 3-4% PUFA); the PUFA is concentrated in the fryer and the emulsions - chips, squid chicharron, cheese & truffle croquettes, crisp aubergine milanese, crispy tofu and the crispy wonton in the steak tartare all come out of rapeseed fryers, and salsa macha (a chilli-and-nut oil sauce), salsa macha mayo, Caesar dressing and the chilli-and-mustard salad dressing are seed-oil led, so 'steak plus chips' dishes and the fried/mayo-dressed plates score far higher than the steaks themselves; chimichurri, basil oil and the gazpacho are olive-oil based and score low. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Gaucho UK use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. Our research indicates: rapeseed (vegetable) oil in the fryers, the UK foodservice default for a restaurant group of this size; the parrilla is the heart of the kitchen so steaks, churrasco cuts and chateaubriand are chargrilled over charcoal with only an olive-oil/garlic/parsley marinade, which keeps every steak in low single digits (grass-fed beef fat is only about 3-4% PUFA); the PUFA is concentrated in the fryer and the emulsions - chips, squid chicharron, cheese & truffle croquettes, crisp aubergine milanese, crispy tofu and the crispy wonton in the steak tartare all come out of rapeseed fryers, and salsa macha (a chilli-and-nut oil sauce), salsa macha mayo, Caesar dressing and the chilli-and-mustard salad dressing are seed-oil led, so 'steak plus chips' dishes and the fried/mayo-dressed plates score far higher than the steaks themselves; chimichurri, basil oil and the gazpacho are olive-oil based and score low. Beef tallow is far lower in PUFA than seed oils.
Is Gaucho UK seed oil free?
Largely yes. Our research indicates Gaucho UK cooks with rapeseed (vegetable) oil in the fryers, the UK foodservice default for a restaurant group of this size; the parrilla is the heart of the kitchen so steaks, churrasco cuts and chateaubriand are chargrilled over charcoal with only an olive-oil/garlic/parsley marinade, which keeps every steak in low single digits (grass-fed beef fat is only about 3-4% PUFA); the PUFA is concentrated in the fryer and the emulsions - chips, squid chicharron, cheese & truffle croquettes, crisp aubergine milanese, crispy tofu and the crispy wonton in the steak tartare all come out of rapeseed fryers, and salsa macha (a chilli-and-nut oil sauce), salsa macha mayo, Caesar dressing and the chilli-and-mustard salad dressing are seed-oil led, so 'steak plus chips' dishes and the fried/mayo-dressed plates score far higher than the steaks themselves; chimichurri, basil oil and the gazpacho are olive-oil based and score low, which is not an industrial seed oil. Preparation can vary by location.
What is the safest thing to order at Gaucho UK?
Fillet Steak 200g is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Gaucho UK, at an estimated 2.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Gaucho UK?
Miso-Chipotle Crispy Tofu Salad is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Gaucho UK, at an estimated 15.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
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See where Gaucho UK lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.