O'Charley's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, O'Charley's cooks with: soybean/vegetable oil (frying); butter on rolls. Across the 121 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at O'Charley's
| Soft Drink | 0.0g PUFA |
| Iced Tea | 0.0g PUFA |
| Lemonade | 0.0g PUFA |
| Coffee | 0.0g PUFA |
| Baked Potato | 1.0g PUFA |
What to Avoid at O'Charley's
| Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders | 48.0g PUFA |
| Original Chicken Tender Appetizer | 36.0g PUFA |
| Fish & Chips | 36.0g PUFA |
| Buffalo Chicken Tender Appetizer | 35.0g PUFA |
| Chicken Tenders Dinner | 34.0g PUFA |
Frequently asked
Does O'Charley's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, O'Charley's cooks with: soybean/vegetable oil (frying); butter on rolls. Across the 121 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does O'Charley's cook with?
Our research indicates: soybean/vegetable oil (frying); butter on rolls. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does O'Charley's use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates O'Charley's cooks with soybean/vegetable oil (frying); butter on rolls, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is O'Charley's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates O'Charley's cooks with soybean/vegetable oil (frying); butter on rolls, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at O'Charley's?
Soft Drink is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at O'Charley's, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at O'Charley's?
Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at O'Charley's, at an estimated 48.0g 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 O'Charley's lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch.