Restaurants Ditching Seed Oils for Healthier Fats

by Emily Tam September 1, 2025

Have you noticed a buzz lately about seed oil usage in restaurants? It's true! More and more establishments are listening to what diners want and are making exciting changes to their menus. We're seeing a promising trend where restaurants are reducing or even completely eliminating seed oils from their cooking, opting instead for better alternatives like olive oil, avocado oil, and even good old-fashioned butter and beef tallow.

So, why the big change? Well, there's been a growing conversation about the potential health effects of industrial seed oils (like canola, sunflower, corn, and soybean oil) and their link to inflammation and gut issues in the body. People are becoming more aware of what they're putting into their bodies, and they're looking for real, wholesome ingredients. This movement is also about bringing back traditional fats that have been used in cooking for centuries.

Let's dive into some of the top restaurants that are leading the way in this seed oil revolution!

Sweetgreen: A Seed Oil-Free Future is Here

Sweetgreen restaurant with seed oil free menu;

Sweetgreen, known for its commitment to fresh, real ingredients, is making huge progress. They've been on a journey to remove seed oils for a while now, introducing extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil for roasting their veggies and proteins. And this January, Co-founder and CEO Jonathan Neman announced their first-ever seed oil-free menu!

Sweetgreen believes that food has a profound impact on health, communities, and the planet. They're all about thoughtfully chosen ingredients, and by making this switch, they're not just offering more transparency and choices; they're redefining fast casual food. Their goal is to prioritize real ingredients that fuel your body and inspire a better food system. Plus, they're committed to sourcing directly from farmers they know and trust, supporting a transition to more organic practices and healthy soil.

Steak 'N Shake: Bringing Back Beef Tallow and Butter

Steak 'N Shake is stepping up to the plate with a commitment to remove seed oils from their restaurants. They're working with their suppliers to make this happen, and some changes are already in full swing.

For instance, their fries, onion rings, and chicken tenders are now cooked in 100% beef tallow in their restaurants! This traditional fat has no additives, preservatives, or chemicals. And get ready for this: as of April 2nd, they're switching to 100% Grade A Wisconsin butter (sourced from a family farm!) to replace the buttery blend on select burgers and sandwiches that used to contain seed oils. While they're still working on removing seed oils from items like their buns, they're being transparent about their progress and are on an exciting journey back to traditional, wholesome ingredients.

Starbucks: Exploring Better Oil Options

Starbucks menu ites without seed oils on menu;

Even Starbucks is feeling the positive shift! The top coffee shop is exploring ways to remove canola oil from its food menu in the U.S. For example, they're considering making their popular egg white and roasted red pepper bites without canola oil and are looking to add a new egg bite to their menu made using avocado oil!

While a timeline hasn't been set, it's fantastic to see such a large company exploring seed oil-free alternatives for its customers. This shows just how much consumer demand is driving these important changes across the food industry.

True Food Kitchen: 100% Seed Oil-Free!

If you're looking for a restaurant that's all in, look no further than True Food Kitchen. This health-focused chain recently announced that its menu is going 100% seed-oil free across all 46 locations.

Their transition began in 2022, and they've been diligently working towards cooking exclusively with avocado and olive oils. Now, 98% of the ingredients used in their kitchens are seed oil-free. Their mission is clear: "We believe in real food that nourishes, fuels, and supports a better lifestyle." They're proving that you can have real flavor with no compromises, crafting dishes with the highest-quality ingredients that are rich in taste and texture, without highly processed seed oils.

avocado oil graphic seed oil-free restaurants

The Future of Dining Looks Brighter

It's truly inspiring to see these restaurants embrace a future where delicious food is also nourishing and responsibly sourced. This movement towards eliminating or reducing seed oils is a fantastic step forward, driven by a desire for less inflammatory ingredients and a return to more traditional cooking methods.

So, the next time you're dining out, keep an eye out for these establishments (and local ones reducing seed oils too)! It's a wonderful reminder that by choosing wisely, we can support restaurants that are committed to our well-being and a better food system for everyone. Let's celebrate these exciting shifts, one delicious, wholesome bite at a time.

8 Pack New Arrival!

Sea Salt Super Veggie Straws in Avocado Oil 5oz (Pack of 8)

Super Veggie Straws in Avocado Oil

Size: 5oz bags

8 Pack

Wavy Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips in Avocado Oil 5oz (Pack of 8)

Sweet Potato Chips in Avocado Oil

Size: 5oz bags

30 Pack

Variety Pack Sweet Potato Chips in Avocado Oil 1oz (Pack of 30)

Sweet Potato Chips in Avocado Oil

Size: 1oz bags

Variety Pack

Sea Salt

Wavy Sea Salt

Variety Pack

Variety Pack

Sea Salt

Wavy Sea Salt

Variety Pack

Variety Pack

Sea Salt

Wavy Sea Salt

Variety Pack

Restaurants Ditching Seed Oils for Healthier Fats

Sweetgreen: A Seed Oil-Free Future is Here

Steak 'N Shake: Bringing Back Beef Tallow and Butter

Starbucks: Exploring Better Oil Options

True Food Kitchen: 100% Seed Oil-Free!

The Future of Dining Looks Brighter

Sea Salt Super Veggie Straws in Avocado Oil 5oz (Pack of 8)

Wavy Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips in Avocado Oil 5oz (Pack of 8)

Variety Pack Sweet Potato Chips in Avocado Oil 1oz (Pack of 30)

No Seedy Oils Here

Variety Pack

Sea Salt

Wavy Sea Salt

Variety Pack