Does In-N-Out Use Seed Oils?

In-N-Out Burger - seed oil analysis

If you’re wondering “does in-n-out use seed oils,” here’s the short answer.

Yes, In-N-Out Burger uses seed oils. In-N-Out uses 100% sunflower oil for frying french fries. Buns contain soybean and canola oil, and the signature spread contains canola oil. The beef patties themselves are cooked on a flat grill without seed oils.

Which Seed Oils Are Used?

  • Sunflower oil
  • Soybean oil
  • Canola oil

Where Do They Appear on the Menu?

French fries are cooked in 100% sunflower oil. Buns contain soybean and/or canola oil. The spread (signature sauce) contains canola oil. Burger seasoning also contains canola oil. The beef patties are grilled on a flat-top and are seed-oil-free.

What We Recommend Instead

In-N-Out is one of the better fast food options if you order smart. Get a protein-style burger (lettuce-wrapped) with no spread and no fries. The plain beef patty on the flat grill is genuinely clean. But the fries, bun, and spread all contain seed oils.

Clean swaps:

  • Protein-style (lettuce-wrapped) burger, no spread, no fries
  • Cook smash burgers at home on a cast iron skillet with tallow

What Are Seed Oils?

Seed oils are vegetable oils extracted from seeds using chemical solvents, high heat, and deodorization. The most common ones are soybean oil, canola oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and cottonseed oil.

They’re in most processed foods and restaurant kitchens because they’re cheap to produce at scale. Before the 1950s, Americans cooked with butter, tallow, and olive oil. Seed oils replaced all of them.

Why Do People Avoid Seed Oils?

Seed oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids. The typical American diet already has far more omega-6 than omega-3, and seed oils make that imbalance worse. Excess omega-6 is linked to chronic inflammation.

People who cut seed oils often notice differences in their skin, digestion, and joint pain. The easiest swap is cooking with olive oil, butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, or beef tallow instead.

Watch Out for These Label Tricks

Seed oils are just the start. When reading ingredient labels, also watch for:

  • “Natural flavors” – a catch-all term that can hide hundreds of chemical compounds. The FDA allows manufacturers to list almost anything under this label without disclosure. If a product needs “natural flavors” to taste good, the real ingredients probably aren’t doing much.
  • “Vegetable oil” – almost always means soybean oil. The word “vegetable” makes it sound healthy, but these oils come from seeds, not vegetables.
  • TBHQ – a synthetic preservative added to seed oils to extend shelf life. Found in Crisco, Pop-Tarts, Maruchan Ramen, and many fryer oils.
  • “And/or” oil blends – when a label says “canola and/or soybean and/or corn oil,” the manufacturer uses whichever seed oil is cheapest that week.

The Bottom Line

In-N-Out Burger has a few items that avoid seed oils, but most of the menu does not. Cooking at home with approved fats will always give you more control over what goes into your food.

Ready to Clean Up Your Diet for Good?

Cutting seed oils is a great first step, but it is just the beginning. A health coach can help you identify every hidden ingredient working against you and build a whole-food eating plan you can actually stick with. Book a free discovery call to see if coaching is right for you.

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Disclaimer: This information was researched and verified as of February 2026. Ingredients and recipes may change without notice. Always check current labels or ask restaurant staff for the most up-to-date information. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.