Tesco Cafe UK Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Tesco Cafe UK cooks with: vegetable oil blend in the fryers (rapeseed with sunflower); Tesco's own chips, fries and hash browns are par-fried in sunflower and rapeseed oil, breaded/battered items and the fried chicken lines share the same fryers, muffins and cookies are rapeseed-oil based. Across the 40 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
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Safest Orders at Tesco Cafe 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: Honey Roast Ham & Cheddar Toastie + Latte, 4.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Iced Matcha | 0.0g |
| Caramel Shortbread | 3.0g |
| Bacon Bap | 3.0g |
| Honey Roast Ham & Cheddar Toastie | 4.0g |
| Cheddar & Spring Onion Toastie | 4.0g |
What to Avoid at Tesco Cafe UK
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Hand-Battered Fish & Chips | 18.0g |
| Korean Crispy Chicken Burger | 16.0g |
| The Big Breakfast | 14.0g |
| Seasoned Skin-on Fries | 13.0g |
| Hot Honey Fried Chicken Wrap | 13.0g |
Every Tesco Cafe UK item, ranked
All 40 items we have for Tesco Cafe UK, safest first. Values are estimated grams of seed-oil PUFA per item.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Coca-Cola | 0.0g |
| Iced Matcha | 0.0g |
| Latte | 0.0g |
| Side Salad | 0.0g |
| Hot Chocolate | 1.0g |
| Beans & Soldiers | 2.0g |
| Strawberry Shortcake Shake | 2.0g |
| Caramel Shortbread | 3.0g |
| Bacon Bap | 3.0g |
| Ultimate Brownie | 3.0g |
| Coleslaw | 4.0g |
| Honey Roast Ham & Cheddar Toastie | 4.0g |
| Cheddar & Spring Onion Toastie | 4.0g |
| Pancakes | 4.0g |
| Mini Pizza Kids Meal | 5.0g |
| Sausage Bap | 5.0g |
| Pork Sausages Kids Meal | 5.0g |
| White Chocolate & Hazelnut Creme Cookie | 5.0g |
| Baked Chicken Strips Kids Meal | 6.0g |
| Veggie Sausage Bap | 6.0g |
| Omega 3 Fish Fingers Kids Meal | 7.0g |
| Blueberry Muffin | 7.0g |
| New York Deli Focaccia | 7.0g |
| Tuna Mayo & Cheddar Toastie | 8.0g |
| Ultimate Breakfast Bap | 8.0g |
| Mini Hash Browns | 9.0g |
| Veggie Breakfast | 9.0g |
| Breakfast Wrap | 9.0g |
| Ultimate Fish Finger Focaccia | 10.0g |
| The Breakfast | 10.0g |
| Mac & Cheese Bites | 10.0g |
| Vegan Breakfast | 11.0g |
| Chunky Chips | 12.0g |
| Halloumi-Style Fries | 12.0g |
| Seasoned Skin-on Fries | 13.0g |
| Hot Honey Fried Chicken Wrap | 13.0g |
| Southern Fried Chicken Wrap | 13.0g |
| The Big Breakfast | 14.0g |
| Korean Crispy Chicken Burger | 16.0g |
| Hand-Battered Fish & Chips | 18.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Tesco Cafe UK use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Tesco Cafe UK cooks with: vegetable oil blend in the fryers (rapeseed with sunflower); Tesco's own chips, fries and hash browns are par-fried in sunflower and rapeseed oil, breaded/battered items and the fried chicken lines share the same fryers, muffins and cookies are rapeseed-oil based. Across the 40 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Tesco Cafe UK cook with?
Our research indicates: vegetable oil blend in the fryers (rapeseed with sunflower); Tesco's own chips, fries and hash browns are par-fried in sunflower and rapeseed oil, breaded/battered items and the fried chicken lines share the same fryers, muffins and cookies are rapeseed-oil based. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Tesco Cafe UK use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Tesco Cafe UK cooks with vegetable oil blend in the fryers (rapeseed with sunflower); Tesco's own chips, fries and hash browns are par-fried in sunflower and rapeseed oil, breaded/battered items and the fried chicken lines share the same fryers, muffins and cookies are rapeseed-oil based, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Tesco Cafe UK seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Tesco Cafe UK cooks with vegetable oil blend in the fryers (rapeseed with sunflower); Tesco's own chips, fries and hash browns are par-fried in sunflower and rapeseed oil, breaded/battered items and the fried chicken lines share the same fryers, muffins and cookies are rapeseed-oil based, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Tesco Cafe UK?
Iced Matcha is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Tesco Cafe UK, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Tesco Cafe UK?
Hand-Battered Fish & Chips is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Tesco Cafe UK, at an estimated 18.0g 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. New to the topic? Start with what seed oils are and the complete list, or read the evidence on why people avoid them.
Compare other chains
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See where Tesco Cafe 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.