The Tallow Revival in Fast Food
For decades, fast-food restaurants moved away from animal fats like beef tallow in favor of vegetable oils, primarily in response to health concerns regarding saturated fat. However, a recent culinary shift has seen some establishments reintroducing tallow, valued for the rich, savory flavor it imparts. While cooking burgers directly on a seasoned griddle remains standard practice for many chains, the use of tallow often pertains to the deep-frying of other menu items, like french fries and onion rings.
Chains Currently Using Tallow for Frying
Several popular restaurant chains have made headlines recently for their adoption of beef tallow in their kitchens. For these establishments, the return to animal fat is a strategic move to differentiate their flavor profile and appeal to a new wave of customers who prioritize taste and traditional cooking methods.
Steak 'n Shake
- Status: In early 2025, Steak 'n Shake announced a full-scale transition to using 100% all-natural beef tallow for cooking their famous shoestring fries across all locations.
- Reasoning: The company framed the move as a return to authentic, traditional flavors, echoing the old-school preparation methods that gave classic fries their superior taste.
- Customer Impact: This change was met with enthusiasm from many customers who felt the flavor had improved, though it rendered their fries inaccessible to vegetarian customers.
Popeye's
- Status: According to multiple reports, the Popeye's website has indicated the use of beef tallow in their frying process for certain products.
- Reasoning: While not a recent change like Steak 'n Shake's, the use of beef tallow contributes to the distinct and savory flavor of their fried items.
Outback Steakhouse
- Status: This chain has reportedly been using beef fat for frying some of their signature items since the late 1980s.
- Noteworthy Items: Outback's iconic Bloomin' Onion and other fried foods benefit from the rich, beefy flavor that the tallow provides.
Buffalo Wild Wings
- Status: Some reports indicate that Buffalo Wild Wings now uses beef shortening, which is derived from beef fat, to fry their wings and other items.
- Reasoning: The move helps ensure the flavor profile of their fried items remains consistent and satisfying for customers.
Chains Using Alternative Oils
In contrast to the tallow-using chains, many other popular burger and fast-food restaurants continue to rely on vegetable-based oils for various reasons, including cost, availability, and catering to vegetarian customers.
- Five Guys: This chain explicitly states that it uses 100% refined peanut oil for cooking its fries and relies on the natural juices of the patty to cook its burgers on the grill, with no oil.
- Shake Shack: All Shake Shack fryers use pure, cholesterol-free soybean oil to cook their fries and other fried items.
- McDonald's: After discontinuing its use of tallow in 1990, McDonald's switched to vegetable oil, later adding 'natural beef flavor' to compensate for the lost taste.
- In-N-Out: Historically, In-N-Out used a mix of tallow and vegetable oil for fries but now uses vegetable oil. The consideration of returning to tallow has reportedly been limited by supply chain issues and considerations for vegetarian diners.
Comparison of Cooking Methods
| Feature | Tallow-Fried Foods | Vegetable Oil-Fried Foods |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Rich, savory, distinct beefy taste | Lighter, cleaner, more neutral flavor profile |
| Texture | Crispier exterior, often with a richer mouthfeel | Crispy but can sometimes be perceived as greasy or less substantial |
| Sourcing | Requires a reliable supply of beef fat | Abundant, easier to source, and generally less expensive |
| Allergens | Not suitable for vegetarian or vegan diets | Generally safe for those with meat allergies or dietary restrictions |
| History | Traditional cooking method, used by McDonald's pre-1990 | Became popular in the late 20th century due to health trends |
How to Tell if a Burger Place Uses Tallow
Since not all chains publicize their cooking fats, here are a few ways to determine if a restaurant uses tallow:
- Check the Menu and Website: Many restaurants, especially those proud of their cooking methods, will state their oil choice on their menu or a dedicated allergen/nutritional info page. Steak 'n Shake, for example, made a public announcement.
- Ask an Employee: A quick question to the staff can often clarify the oil used, particularly for fried items. Be specific, as they may use different oils for different products.
- Taste the Fries: The taste difference can be a dead giveaway. Tallow-fried potatoes often have a subtle but unmistakable savory, beefy richness that vegetable oil simply can't replicate.
- Look for Signs: Some smaller or independent restaurants may advertise their use of traditional fats like tallow on a sign or board to attract customers seeking that specific flavor.
The Future of Tallow in Fast Food
The reintroduction of beef tallow by some chains is a fascinating example of how consumer preferences and culinary trends can come full circle. Driven by a renewed appreciation for traditional fats and a pushback against highly processed seed oils, the tallow trend is gaining momentum. While it's unlikely that every major chain will revert, the movement highlights a growing segment of the market that prioritizes flavor and traditional ingredients over the perceived 'healthier' vegetable oil alternatives. As noted in a discussion about fast-food frying oils, the demand for tallow-cooked food is growing beyond just fries. Time will tell if more burger giants join the trend, but for now, discerning consumers have several options to get their tallow fix.
Conclusion
While most major chains cook burgers on a seasoned grill without tallow, its use is making a notable comeback for frying side dishes. Steak 'n Shake has fully embraced it for their fries, while Popeye's and Outback Steakhouse have been using it for some time. This contrasts with chains like Five Guys and Shake Shack, which stick to vegetable-based oils for frying. For fans of that classic, rich flavor, seeking out these specific restaurants is the key to a more savory dining experience.
