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What Oil Does Burger King Use? A Comprehensive Guide to Their Cooking Oil

If you enjoy Burger King’s fried menu items, you might be curious about the type of oil that is used to produce the restaurant’s distinctive flavor and texture. Burger King uses a mixture of various vegetable oils, such as canola, soybean, and palm oil. While soybean and canola oil are regarded as healthful vegetable oils, palm oil has a high level of saturated fats and is divisive because of its effects on the environment.

View of Burger King Restaurant

When healthier cooking oils first became popular, Burger King made the move to maize oil.

However, they declared in 2021 that by 2025, all of their U.S. restaurants would switch to using entirely renewable soybean oil for frying.

The usage of renewable soybean oil lessens Burger King’s operations’ carbon impact, which is a significant step toward sustainability.

Overview of Burger King’s Cooking Oil

Burger King is one of the most well-known fast food franchises.

omelet drink with hot coffee at Burger king Bangkok

You’ve come to the right place if you’ve been wondering what kind of oil Burger King uses to cook their food.

Canola, soybean, and palm oil are among the various vegetable oils that Burger King employs in its frying process.

Although not the healthiest choice, these oils do provide a constant taste and texture in their fried items.

Depending on the location and the product being manufactured, the precise ratios of these oils may change.

According to the company, its oil blend is created to provide food the best flavor and texture while lowering the amount of saturated fat.

Burger King also makes it known that they use a blend of low-trans-fat vegetable oils. Soybean oil, cottonseed oil, canola oil, and palm kernel oil are all included in this oil blend.

Because vegetable oil contains less saturated fat than other types of oil, using it is thought to be healthier.

Burger King replaced the soybean oil in all of its fryers in 2008 with 0% trans-fat soybean oil. To satisfy the rising demand for healthier eating options, this alteration was implemented.

Additionally, Burger King has vowed to cut back on the artificial trans fats in their cuisine. This is a start in the right direction for offering its clients healthier options.

Generally speaking, Burger King’s cooking oil is a blend of various vegetable oils that is low in trans-fat and created to provide its cuisine the best flavor and texture while decreasing the quantity of saturated fat.

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Type of Oil Used

The oil utilized by Burger King is a combination of various vegetable oils.

Burger King in Seoul

Various sources claim that the mixture contains canola, soybean, corn, and/or cottonseed oils. Although not the healthiest option, these oils do provide a constant taste and texture in their fried items.

Being low in saturated fats and high in unsaturated fats, canola oil and soybean oil are regarded as healthy vegetable oils.

Saturated fats, which raise the risk of heart disease when ingested in excess, are more prevalent in cottonseed and maize oils.

It is significant to note that Burger King has been frying its menu items in vegetable oil mixes for a number of years.

In the beginning, they fried their burgers and fries in animal fat. However, due to health issues, this practice was stopped.

Burger King does not utilize palm oil in their blend, despite the criticism surrounding its use. Due to its negative effects on the environment, palm oil, which has a high level of saturated fat, is contentious.

In conclusion, Burger King fries its food in a mixture of vegetable oils that comprises canola, soybean, corn, and/or cottonseed oils.

Cottonseed oil and maize oil have higher levels of saturated fats than soybean and canola oil, which are regarded as healthy vegetable oils.

Burger King does not utilize palm oil in their blend, despite the criticism surrounding its use.

Reasons for Choosing This Type of Oil

Burger King cooks its fries with a mixture of vegetable oils. Canola, corn, and soybean oils are combined to make this oil.

Burger King's hamburger and coffee cup

Burger King selected this kind of oil for a variety of reasons, including the following:

  • Healthier Option: Burger King switched to zero trans-fat soybean oil in 2008. This oil is a healthier option compared to animal fat or partially hydrogenated oils. The use of zero trans-fat oil makes Burger King’s food healthier for consumers.
  • Cost-Effective: The use of vegetable oil is cost-effective for Burger King. Vegetable oil is cheaper than animal fat and other oils. This allows Burger King to keep its prices low while still using high-quality oil.
  • Availability: Vegetable oil is widely available and easy to source. This makes it a convenient choice for Burger King, which has thousands of locations worldwide.
  • Taste: The blend of vegetable oil used by Burger King gives its fries a unique taste. The oil enhances the flavor of the fries, making them crispy and delicious.
  • Sustainability: Burger King’s use of sustainable palm oil is a positive step towards reducing its impact on the environment. The use of vegetable oil also contributes to this effort. Vegetable oil is a renewable resource that can be produced sustainably.
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In conclusion, Burger King’s selection of vegetable oil is a financially advantageous, healthful, and environmentally responsible choice that improves the flavor of their cuisine.

Health Implications of The Oil Used

Burger King uses oil to deep-fry their meals, which has both favorable and harmful health effects.

interior of Burger King restaurant

The following are some essential considerations:

Positive Health Implications

  • Burger King has switched to using a blend of different vegetable oils, including canola, soybean, and palm oil. Canola oil is considered to be healthy in some regard, as it is low in saturated fat and has a high monounsaturated fat content. Soybean oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health.
  • The new oil that Burger King uses is called “coconut oil,” which is a type of vegetable oil that is derived from the fruit of the coconut palm tree. Coconut oil has been shown to have some health benefits, including improving digestion, boosting immunity, and reducing inflammation.

Negative Health Implications

  • The oil used by Burger King is high in calories and fat, which can contribute to weight gain and other health problems. For example, a medium order of Burger King french fries contains 380 calories and 17 grams of fat.
  • The oil used by Burger King is also high in trans fats, which are considered to be one of the most unhealthy types of fat. Trans fats have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
  • The palm oil used by Burger King has been linked to deforestation and the destruction of wildlife habitats, which can have negative environmental impacts.

Overall, even if Burger King’s new oil has some favorable health effects, it’s still necessary to eat their cuisine in moderation.

Limit your intake of fried meals and try to opt for healthier options whenever you can, like grilled chicken sandwiches or salads.

Comparison With Other Fast Food Chains

Burger King is not the only company that uses a certain kind of oil for frying. Low-trans-fat vegetable oil blends are a common ingredient in fast food restaurants.

Photo of Burger King's french fries serving portion.

Here is a comparison of some well-known fast-food restaurants’ oil choices:

  • McDonald’s: McDonald’s uses a canola oil blend for frying their food. Canola oil is low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat, which is considered a healthier option.
  • Wendy’s: Wendy’s uses a blend of corn and soybean oil for frying their food. While corn oil is high in polyunsaturated fat, soybean oil is high in monounsaturated fat and low in saturated fat.
  • KFC: KFC uses a blend of canola and soybean oil for frying their food. Canola oil is low in saturated fat, while soybean oil is high in polyunsaturated fat.
  • Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A uses a blend of peanut oil and refined soybean oil for frying their food. Peanut oil is high in monounsaturated fat and low in saturated fat, making it a healthier option.
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Overall, it appears that the majority of fast-food outlets are switching to vegetable oil mixes high in good fats and low in trans fat.

Regardless of the kind of oil used for frying, it is crucial to remember that fried food should still be eaten in moderation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Burger King fast food cashier wearing face mask

What kind of oil does Burger King use for frying?

Burger King uses a blend of different vegetable oils, including canola, soybean, and palm oil. The exact proportions of these oils may vary based on the location and the product being prepared. In the past, Burger King used corn oil for frying, but they have since transitioned to using a blend of oils.

Is the oil Burger King uses healthy?

The oils Burger King uses for their fried menu items are not considered to be the healthiest option. They are high in saturated and trans fats, which can contribute to heart disease and other health problems. However, these oils do allow for a consistent taste and texture in their fried foods.

Are there any healthier options at Burger King?

If you’re looking for healthier options at Burger King, there are a few things you can try. You can opt for grilled chicken instead of fried, or choose a salad with a low-fat dressing. You can also ask for your food to be cooked with less oil or no added salt.

Does Burger King plan to switch to a healthier oil?

In 2021, Burger King announced that all of their U.S. locations would be transitioning to using fully renewable soybean oil for frying by 2025. This oil is high in oleic acid, which is a healthier type of fat. However, it’s important to note that even healthier oils should be consumed in moderation.

staff at Burger King restaurant

Conclusion

In conclusion, Burger King fries their chicken nuggets, burgers, and other fried menu items in high oleic soybean oil.

With less saturated fat than other oils and advantages for the environment, this oil is a sustainable and healthy option.

Burger King recently changed their cooking oil approach significantly after originally switching to maize oil in response to the trend for healthier cooking oils.

They declared in 2021 that by 2025, all of their U.S. restaurants would switch to using 100% renewable soybean oil for frying.

It is significant to note that Burger King uses other oils in addition to soybean oil. For their fried menu items, they also employ a mixture of corn, canola, and cottonseed oils.

Although not the healthiest choice, these oils do provide a constant taste and texture in their fried items.

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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