What oil does Zaxby's fry in?
Zaxby's cooks with soybean oil.
In detail: soybean oil (confirmed in Zaxby's allergen/ingredient disclosures); PUFA fraction 0.55 for fried items; sauces are soybean mayo-based, PUFA fraction 0.65–0.72.
Source: Zaxby's Nutrition and Allergen Guide, November 2025. Zaxbys menu items are fried in a blend of highly refined soybean oil. The FDA does not include this type of highly refined oil in its definition of a “major food allergen”.
Ordering at Zaxby's? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderZaxby's at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | F (14.9 g average per item, 106 items) |
| Last checked | November 2025 |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Zaxby's
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 |
|---|---|
| Blue Zalad (Garden) | 6.7g |
| House Zalad (Garden) | 6.8g |
| Blue Zalad (Grilled) | 7.1g |
| House Zalad (Grilled) | 7.2g |
| Single Nibbler | 7.8g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Zaxby's 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 Zaxby's use?
- What oil does Chick-fil-A use? Peanut oil
- What oil does KFC use? Canola and soybean oil
- What oil does Popeyes use? Beef tallow
- What oil does Raising Cane's use? Canola and soybean oil
- What oil does Wingstop use? Soybean oil (estimated)
- What oil does Bojangles use? Soybean and canola oil
- What oil does Church's Texas Chicken use? Soybean oil (estimated)
- What oil does Slim Chickens use? Soybean oil and vegetable oil blend
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 Zaxby's 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 Zaxby's fry in?
Zaxby's cooks with soybean oil. In detail: soybean oil (confirmed in Zaxby's allergen/ingredient disclosures); PUFA fraction 0.55 for fried items; sauces are soybean mayo-based, PUFA fraction 0.65–0.72.
Does Zaxby's use seed oils?
Yes. Zaxby's cooks with soybean oil. Its seed oil grade is F, about 14.9 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Zaxby's use beef tallow?
No. Zaxby's cooks with soybean oil, not beef tallow.
Does Zaxby's use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Zaxby's cooks with soybean 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 Zaxby's?
Grilled Chicken Sandwich (10.9 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Chicken Fajita Quesadilla (14.0 g) and Signature Sandwich (15.7 g).
Which Zaxby's item has the most seed oil?
Zax Sauce (16 oz), at about 124.8 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.