What oil does Tijuana Flats fry in?
Tijuana Flats fries in soybean and canola oil.
In detail: Soybean oil in the fryer and canola oil in the rice, per the chain's own per-ingredient nutrition data (api.tijuanaflats.com menuitems/ingredients, components dated to April 2026), which prints polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat: chips, fried tortillas, chicken tenders, the fried salad bowl and hard taco shells run about 50% poly / 20% mono (soybean), the rice about 20% poly / 60% mono (canola). The chain publishes no ingredient statements.
Ordering at Tijuana Flats? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderTijuana Flats at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean and canola oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | F (12.1 g average per item, 82 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes · Canola oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Tijuana Flats
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.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Street Taco | 3.0g |
| Salad | 4.0g |
| Salad (Chicken) | 5.0g |
| Veggie Bean Tacos | 5.0g |
| Uno Enchilada | 5.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Tijuana Flats 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.
Build my orderWhat oil do other chains like Tijuana Flats use?
- What oil does Taco Bell use? Canola oil
- What oil does Chipotle use? High-oleic sunflower and canola oil
- What oil does Qdoba use? Canola and soybean oil
- What oil does Moe's Southwest Grill use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Del Taco use? Soybean and canola oil
- What oil does Taco John's use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Taco Cabana use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Torchy's Tacos use? Soybean oil and vegetable oil blend (estimated)
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 Tijuana Flats 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 Tijuana Flats fry in?
Tijuana Flats fries in soybean and canola oil. In detail: Soybean oil in the fryer and canola oil in the rice, per the chain's own per-ingredient nutrition data (api.tijuanaflats.com menuitems/ingredients, components dated to April 2026), which prints polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat: chips, fried tortillas, chicken tenders, the fried salad bowl and hard taco shells run about 50% poly / 20% mono (soybean), the rice about 20% poly / 60% mono (canola). The chain publishes no ingredient statements.
Does Tijuana Flats use seed oils?
Yes. Tijuana Flats fries in soybean and canola oil. Its seed oil grade is F, about 12.1 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Tijuana Flats use beef tallow?
No. Tijuana Flats fries in soybean and canola oil, not beef tallow.
Does Tijuana Flats use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Tijuana Flats fries in soybean and 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 Tijuana Flats?
Street Taco (3.0 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Salad (4.0 g) and Salad (Chicken) (5.0 g).
Which Tijuana Flats item has the most seed oil?
Cheesy Steak Flautas, at about 52.3 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.