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What Oil Does KFC Use? A Clear Answer to Your Question

You’re not the only one who has ever pondered what kind of oil KFC uses to fry their chicken. KFC is renowned for its crispy and delectable fried chicken, and the oil they use is a major contributor to the dish’s distinctive flavor and texture. We’ve discovered after some investigation that KFC primarily utilizes canola oil for frying.

Kentucky Fried Chicken KFC restaurant exterior.

Canola oil is a better choice because it contains more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and less saturated fat.

However, low linolenic soybean oil is used at some KFC restaurants in place of canola oil. Additionally, this oil includes fewer saturated fats and more monounsaturated fats than other oils.

It’s crucial to remember that the oil used by KFC could also include extra components like TBHQ and citric acid to preserve flavor as well as dimethylpolysiloxane, an antifoaming agent.

The FDA usually recognizes these chemicals as safe, despite some dispute surrounding their use.

Overall, KFC employs a carefully chosen combination of oil that aids in creating the ideal harmony of flavor and texture in their fried chicken.

What is KFC’s Cooking Oil

Most likely, you picture KFC’s renowned fried chicken when you think of the company. Have you ever wondered what kind of oil is used to produce that crisp, golden-brown surface, though?

KFC is popular fast food chain known as Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Various reports claim that KFC fries its chicken in a mixture of hydrogenated soybean oil and canola oil.

These oils were chosen because they have a high smoke point, or the ability to withstand high temperatures without combusting or smoking.

In order to preserve the flavor of the chicken and lengthen the oil’s shelf life, KFC additionally adds TBHQ and citric acid to their oil.

The FDA has approved the synthetic antioxidant TBHQ for use in food. Citrus fruits often contain citric acid, a natural preservative.

It’s important to note that KFC has worked hard recently to convert to healthier oils.

KFC has started utilizing high oleic rapeseed oil, which is higher in monounsaturated fat and lower in saturated fat than conventional vegetable oils, across the UK and Ireland.

It’s not apparent, though, whether this modification has been applied in other nations.

TBHQ and citric acid are added for flavor and preservation, while the overall composition of KFC’s cooking oil is a blend of canola oil and hydrogenated soybean oil.

Even though KFC has tried to use better oils, their fried chicken is still regarded as a high-calorie, high-fat treat.

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Ingredients of KFC’s Cooking Oil

There are a few distinctive components in KFC’s frying oil that set it apart. Canola oil and hydrogenated soybean oil are reportedly used by KFC to fry its chicken.

staff working in KFC Fast Food Restaurant

Since these oils have high smoke points, they may be heated to high temperatures without decomposing and emitting dangerous compounds.

TBHQ and citric acid may also be included in the cooking oil used by KFC in addition to canola oil and hydrogenated soybean oil.

These components are added to the oil to preserve its flavor and stop it from turning rancid.

Tertiary butylhydroquinone, sometimes known as TBHQ, is a synthetic antioxidant that has received FDA approval for use in food items. Citrus fruits often contain citric acid, a natural preservative.

Dimethylpolysiloxane is a potential additional component in the frying oil used by KFC.

To stop the oil from foaming and splattering when being used for frying, this anti-foaming ingredient is added.

Chewing gum and soft drinks are just two examples of the many other food products that contain dimethylpolysiloxane.

It’s important to note that KFC has modified its frying oil recently. The business has shifted to using high oleic rapeseed oil in the UK and Ireland, a variety of canola oil that has been cultivated to have more monounsaturated fats than other varieties.

This modification was introduced in an effort to lower the saturated fat content of KFC’s fried chicken.

Overall, the components in KFC’s cooking oil are created to give the chicken a crispy, tasty coating while reducing the possibility that dangerous compounds will be produced during the frying process.

Why KFC Uses This Type of Oil

KFC employs a mixture of canola oil and soybean oil for their frying operations. In comparison to other oils, this oil mix has less saturated fat and has no trans fats.

KFC is popular fast food chain known as Kentucky Fried Chicken

As opposed to other oils that include trans fats, it is thus a healthier choice.

Canola oil and soybean oil are also used by KFC to produce the renowned crispy and crunchy texture of their fried chicken.

These oils can be burned to high temperatures without decomposing or emitting smoke because they have a high smoke point.

This is crucial when frying food because it contributes to the creation of an exterior texture that is crispy while the interior remains moist and delicate.

The fact that this sort of oil is inexpensive and widely accessible is another justification for KFC’s use of it.

Two of the most widely utilized oils in the food sector are canola oil and soybean oil, which makes them accessible and reasonably priced.

KFC is able to continue producing at a high rate while minimizing costs thanks to this.

Overall, KFC made a wise decision to employ soybean and canola oils. When compared to other oils that include trans fats, it not only contributes to the great flavor and texture of KFC’s fried chicken, but it is also a healthier choice.

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It is also inexpensive and easily accessible, making it a sensible option for a high-volume fast-food restaurant like KFC.

Health Implications

Health consequences are always a worry with fast food. KFC fries their chicken in a mixture of canola and soybean oil.

KFC restaurant in Moscow

In comparison to other oils, this oil mix has less saturated fat and has no trans fats. Even while this oil is not the healthiest choice available, it is not as harmful as some people might believe.

Fried chicken is still a high-calorie item, so it’s crucial to remember to eat it in moderation.

In terms of calories, fat, and sodium, one serving of KFC’s original recipe fried chicken has about 390 calories, 23 grams, and 1,130 mg.

This is a substantial number of calories, which can build up rapidly if you eat more than one serving or serve your chicken with other high-calorie sides.

KFC provides grilled chicken as a healthier option to their fried chicken if your health is a concern. Compared to fried chicken, grilled chicken has fewer calories and fat.

Grilled chicken still has a high salt content, so it’s crucial to remember to eat it in moderation.

In conclusion, even if KFC’s oil blend is not the healthiest choice available, it is not as detrimental as some individuals may believe.

If you are worried about your health, it’s crucial to consume fried chicken in moderation and to think about healthier options like grilled chicken.

Comparison with Other Fast Food Chains

If you’re interested in learning what kind of oil KFC uses to fry their chicken, you might also be interested to see how it stacks up against other fast food restaurants.

KFC is popular fast food chain

Here is a brief list of some well-known chains and the oil they utilize:

  • McDonald’s: The iconic fast food chain uses a blend of canola, soybean, and hydrogenated soybean oil to fry their food.
  • Burger King: Burger King uses a blend of corn oil and hydrogenated soybean oil to fry their food.
  • Wendy’s: Wendy’s uses a blend of corn oil, soybean oil, and hydrogenated soybean oil to fry their food.
  • Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A uses a blend of refined peanut oil and canola oil to fry their chicken.

KFC uses hydrogenated soybean oil and canola oil in a similar way to these fast food companies.

It’s important to remember that KFC has worked to lower the quantity of trans fats in their cuisine.

KFC declared in 2006 that by the end of the following year, all of its locations in the United States would transition to cooking oil devoid of trans fats 1.

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It’s also important to keep in mind that there are other elements that influence how healthy a restaurant’s cuisine is as well as the type of oil they use.

The food themselves, portion quantities, and cooking techniques are all important.

So while it’s vital to be aware of the sort of oil a restaurant uses, it’s also critical to remember that it’s only one aspect of choosing nutritious foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

KFC is a fast food restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken

What kind of oil does KFC use?

KFC uses a blend of canola oil and hydrogenated soybean oil to fry its chicken. This oil blend has a lower saturated fat content than many other oils and is also trans fat-free. KFC recently announced that it will start using high oleic rapeseed oil at its 800 outlets in the UK and Ireland, at an estimated cost of £1m a year.

Is KFC’s oil healthy?

While KFC’s oil is not the healthiest oil out there, it is not as bad as some people may think. The oil blend used by KFC has a lower saturated fat content than many other oils and is also trans fat-free. However, fried foods are generally not considered to be healthy, and consuming them regularly can increase your risk of heart disease, obesity, and other health problems.

Does KFC use lard to fry its chicken?

No, KFC no longer uses lard to fry its chicken. In the past, KFC used to fry its chicken in lard using the Colonel’s 11 herbs and spices. However, now they fry it in vegetable oil with a microscopic amount of the 11 herbs and spices, enough to still make a valid claim that it contains the herbs and spices, but not enough to affect the taste.

What are the alternatives to KFC’s oil?

For frying, most restaurants will use canola oil, peanut oil, and other blended seed oils. For cooking, they will use animal fats like lard, ghee, butter, and tallow. However, it’s worth noting that fried foods are generally not considered to be healthy, and consuming them regularly can increase your risk of heart disease, obesity, and other health problems.

Does KFC use palm oil?

No, KFC does not use palm oil. The oil blend used by KFC is a combination of canola oil and hydrogenated soybean oil.

counter service in KFC restaurant

Conclusion

In conclusion, KFC fries their chicken in high-oleic soybean oil. This oil is healthier than other oils since it contains a lot of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

This kind of oil has been used by KFC for more than ten years.

KFC has taken a big step in the direction of giving their consumers healthier options by switching to high oleic soybean oil.

Saturated and trans fats, which are known to raise the risk of heart disease and other health issues, are both scarce in this oil.

KFC has taken steps to lower the level of trans fats in their culinary products, it is important to note.

They declared in 2006 that by the end of April 2007, all of their US restaurants will use cooking oil free of trans fats. This demonstrates KFC’s dedication to provide its consumers healthier options.

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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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