Does Wingstop Use Beef Tallow? How Does It Compare to Other Chains?

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Fried food is a guilty pleasure for many, but with the rise in popularity of seed oils, there are valid health concerns that have some diners looking for alternatives. Even if you don’t have an allergy, cutting back on processed seed oils high in Omega-6 fatty acids can help improve your health.

You can find fried foods made with healthier fats, like beef tallow, but where do you start? Does Wingstop use beef tallow? This guide will help you answer that question to make more informed decisions about where to eat. But, Is Beef Tallow Healthy?

If you’re looking for restaurants that fry with healthier oils or don’t use seed oils, check out Seed Oil Scout’s interactive database. You can search for local eateries, understand their cooking practices, and even find specific information about the oil they fry.

Does Wingstop Use Beef Tallow?

No, Wingstop does not fry its food in beef tallow. In an interview with QSR Magazine, Wingstop’s Chief Concept Officer, Dwayne Pace, confirmed that the company uses a blend of sunflower oil and canola oil to fry their wings. Pace mentioned that they chose these oils for their high smoke points and mild flavor, allowing their wings' natural taste to shine through.

So Why the Confusion?

So, why do some sources claim that Wingstop uses beef tallow? There are a few possible explanations:

Rumor and Misinformation

Rumors are not uncommon to spread quickly on social media and online forums. In this case, it’s possible that an enthusiastic Wingstop fan or an influencer mistakenly claimed that the company uses beef tallow, leading to widespread speculation.

Misinterpretation of Menu Claims

Wingstop’s menu sometimes features items with descriptors like "rendered beef fat" or "beef tallow seasoning." While these phrases might sound similar to using beef tallow for cooking, they refer to a type of seasoning or flavor enhancer. The beef fat is not used as a cooking oil.

Food Trend Influencers

Social media influencers and food bloggers often promote artisanal and unique cooking techniques. Some influencers recommend using beef tallow as a cooking oil. Wingstop, however, sticks to its sunflower oil and canola oil blend.

What Oil Does Wingstop Use?

According to their official website and multiple sources, Wingstop uses a proprietary blend of cooking oils, including sunflower and vegetable oils, to fry their menu items.

Here’s a breakdown of Wingstop’s cooking oil composition

Cooking Oil Percentage

Sunflower Oil 60%

Vegetable Oil 40%
‍

This blend allows Wingstop to achieve its signature crispy exterior and juicy interior while adhering to its commitment to using only high-quality, non-hydrogenated oils.

Do Any Fast Food Chains Have Beef Tallow Fries?

french fries - Does Wingstop Use Beef Tallow?

Fast Food Chains That Fry with Beef Tallow: Who’s Still Doing It?

While beef tallow, which is rendered fat left when beef is cooked, has been phased out of many restaurants as health food trends and veganism have ramped up in recent years, it was popular. This Washington Post article in 1985 identifies Arby's, Bob's Big Boy, Burger King, Hardee's, McDonald's, Popeyes, and Wendy's as fast-food spots that use beef tallow in their fryers. In recent years, all but one of these have swapped the tallow for supposedly healthier oils. The top chains still use beef tallow or a beef ingredient for their fries for those who want to avoid or enjoy them.

McDonald's

The jury is still out on whether Mickey D's fries are vegetarian. Most people know that they 100% weren't at one point. The chain was famously sued for not making it more apparent that the fries were cooked in beef tallow. The use of tallow was hardly surprising for a company that processes so much beef.

Still, when the fear of saturated gripped the nation and the chain was involved in the famous lawsuit where vegetarians felt misled, it changed the fat used to cook the famous fries—which some people never got over. But McDonald's—which seems to know a good thing when it tastes it—created something else to mimic that beef tallow taste. McDonald's uses something called "beef extract" in the ingredients for its famous fries.

This ingredient is derived from wheat and dairy—we know this because those allergens have to be declared—but no one is 100% sure there is no beef involved. McDonald's, for its part, isn't telling because they don't legally have to. A food scientist told Mashable that it is likely just "beef adjacent," but no one is sure. In other areas, including the U.K. and India, beef extract is left out of the ingredient list.

Popeyes

The famous chicken chain doesn't mention what oil is used in its U.S. restaurants on its website, but the rumor is that it still uses beef tallow. We did the digging, and, alas, if you are looking for vegetarian options at Popeyes, you may be out of luck. The chain's fryers contain beef tallow, as confirmed by a restaurant rep.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Famous for its wings, Buffalo Wing Wings has a secret ingredient that seems out of place in a chicken restaurant: beef shortening. The chain fries everything in it—even its chicken wings.

Smashburger

Smashburger started in 2007 in Denver to become a better burger company. The smashed burgers squished on the grill for a better sear are catching on because the chain plans to open at least 20 locations yearly in 2023 and 2024. If you are vegetarian and dining at Smashburger, there are a few good options, like the Classic Smash Black Bean burger with all the fixin, but you'll need to skip the SmashFries. Like Buffalo Wild Wings, Smashburger fries its items in beef tallow, as stated in its ingredient lists. Skip the crispy Brussels sprouts and tots, too, because those are also given a hot bath in beef tallow.

Portillo's

Portillo's is famous for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, chopped salad, cheese fries, and homemade desserts. The chain—which started as a humble hot dog stand in 1963— now has over 60 locations in the Midwest, with some in Southern California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. And as it turns out, it fries some of its items in a blend of vegetable oil and beef fat. Portillo's isn't hiding this fact either and includes the info on the required allergen list. "Our French fries and onion rings are cooked in a blend of vegetable oil and beef tallow," the company states on its website.

Outback Steakhouse

Famous for its relatively affordable steaks and Aussie personality, it isn't a surprise that a steakhouse doesn't have a lot of vegetarian options. Unsurprisingly, a steakhouse uses beef tallow to fry many things—fat being a by-product of beef production. There was a lot of chatter and questions online about Outback using beef tallow. We contacted Outback to be sure, and a rep confirmed that beef tallow is used in the fryers, making all of their fried menu items unsuitable for vegetarians but darn delicious.

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Seed Oil Scout - Does Wingstop Use Beef Tallow

Seed Oil Scout helps health-conscious diners locate restaurants that cook without seed oils, offering detailed information about cooking fats and ingredients used in establishments nationwide. From finding beef tallow fries to grass-fed beef and raw milk sources, the app makes it simple to discover and verify restaurants that align with your dietary preferences. As the only comprehensive database for seed oil-free dining, it eliminates the guesswork for those seeking alternatives to conventional restaurant cooking oils. Find seed oil-free restaurants with Seed Oil Scout − download for free today.