If you are trying to avoid seed oils while eating out, Five Guys is one of the first burger chains that comes to mind. Known for their hand-formed patties and generous portions of fries, Five Guys has a loyal following. But how does this popular chain stack up when it comes to cooking oils? We dug into their ingredients so you do not have to. For a full breakdown of any restaurant, check the Seed Oil Scout app.

Does Five Guys Use Seed Oils?

Yes, Five Guys does use seed oils, but the situation is more nuanced than most fast food chains. Their burger patties are cooked on a flat grill without any added oil, which is a major win. However, the buns contain vegetable shortening made with soybean oil, and the famous fries are cooked in 100% peanut oil. Peanut oil is technically a seed oil, though some in the seed oil-free community consider it less problematic than soybean or canola oil. Seed Oil Scout gives Five Guys a 1 out of 5 rating, reflecting the limited options for fully avoiding seed oils.

What Oils Does Five Guys Cook With?

Here is the breakdown of oils used at Five Guys:

Burger patties: Cooked on a flat-top grill with no added oil. The beef is fresh, never frozen, and relies on its own fat to cook. This is one of the cleanest options in fast food.

French fries: Fried in 100% peanut oil. Five Guys is very transparent about this (they even post signs warning about peanut allergies). Peanut oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids, similar to other seed oils, though it is more stable for frying than soybean or canola oil.

Buns: The standard bun contains vegetable shortening, which includes soybean oil. If you are strictly avoiding seed oils, the bun is a problem.

Toppings: Most of the free toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mushrooms, jalapeños) are whole foods with no added oils. However, mayo-based sauces will contain seed oils.

What Can You Order at Five Guys to Avoid Seed Oils?

Your best bet at Five Guys is to order a plain patty without the bun. Since the patties are cooked without oil on the grill, a bunless burger with whole-food toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles is a solid seed oil-free meal. You can also ask for your burger wrapped in lettuce.

Here are some practical tips:

1. Skip the bun (it contains soybean oil in the shortening).
2. Skip the fries (peanut oil).
3. Avoid mayo and any creamy sauces.
4. Load up on fresh veggie toppings, mustard, and ketchup.
5. Hot dogs are also cooked on the grill, making them another option without the bun.

For more strategies, check out our guide on how to avoid seed oils at restaurants.

How Does Five Guys Compare to Other Fast Food Chains?

Compared to most fast food burger chains, Five Guys is a mixed bag. The fact that their patties are cooked without oil puts them ahead of chains that grill with canola or soybean oil blends. However, the peanut oil fries and seed oil in the buns bring the overall score down.

In-N-Out Burger, another popular chain, uses sunflower oil for fries and has partially hydrogenated oil in their buns, giving them a similar rating of 1.5 out of 5. Chains like Shake Shack and Smashburger also use seed oils extensively. If you are curious about chains that use beef tallow or other traditional fats, those options are unfortunately rare in the mainstream fast food world.

The Bottom Line

Five Guys earns a 1 out of 5 on the Seed Oil Scout scale. While the grill-cooked patties are a genuine bright spot, the peanut oil fries and soybean oil in the buns mean you will need to customize your order to stay seed oil-free. A bunless burger with fresh toppings is your safest bet. Download Seed Oil Scout to check any restaurant before you go.