McDonald's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, McDonald's cooks with: canola-corn-soybean oil blend with natural beef flavoring (fries); no US beef tallow switch as of 2026 despite 2025 speculation. Across the 85 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Safest Orders at McDonald's
| Apple Slices | 0.0g PUFA |
| Premium Roast Coffee | 0.0g PUFA |
| Coca-Cola | 0.0g PUFA |
| Sprite | 0.0g PUFA |
| Dr Pepper | 0.0g PUFA |
What to Avoid at McDonald's
| Chicken McNuggets 40-Piece | 55.0g PUFA |
| Chicken McNuggets 20-Piece | 30.0g PUFA |
| 20pc Chicken McNuggets | 26.0g PUFA |
| Chicken McNuggets 10-Piece | 18.0g PUFA |
| Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich | 13.0g PUFA |
Frequently asked
Does McDonald's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, McDonald's cooks with: canola-corn-soybean oil blend with natural beef flavoring (fries); no US beef tallow switch as of 2026 despite 2025 speculation. Across the 85 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.0g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does McDonald's cook with?
Our research indicates: canola-corn-soybean oil blend with natural beef flavoring (fries); no US beef tallow switch as of 2026 despite 2025 speculation. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does McDonald's use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. Our research indicates: canola-corn-soybean oil blend with natural beef flavoring (fries); no US beef tallow switch as of 2026 despite 2025 speculation. Beef tallow is far lower in PUFA than seed oils.
Is McDonald's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates McDonald's cooks with canola-corn-soybean oil blend with natural beef flavoring (fries); no US beef tallow switch as of 2026 despite 2025 speculation, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at McDonald's?
Apple Slices is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at McDonald's, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at McDonald's?
Chicken McNuggets 40-Piece is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at McDonald's, at an estimated 55.0g 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
Burger King · Wendy's · Five Guys · In-N-Out · Whataburger · Culver's
See where McDonald's lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch.