Does Popeyes Use Beef Tallow? | Full Guide 2025

Hello Foodie! Let’s separate the Truths and Myths about Popeyes and Beef Tallow! While enjoying the crunchy chicken of Popeyes, have you ever said: “Wow! This is so delicious!” And then wondered, “How do they cook it? Does Popeyes use Beef Tallow?” No worries, we’re here to answer it in a simple and fun way! 

In this article, we’ll guide you about:

  • What is beef tallow?
  • Why do people use beef tallow?
  • What oil does Popeyes use?
  • Is it safe for vegetarians?
  • Does Popeyes use beef tallow?
  • What about allergies?
  • And a secret recipe for making Popeyes-style chicken at home!
Video showing restaurant which use beef tallow

What is Beef Tallow? And How Can We Make it at Home?

Let us start from the basics. Beef tallow is a type of fat, but not just any fat. The source of this fat is cows! Yes. It is made through a process called rendering, which means melting cow fat by heating it slowly. This melted fat is called Beef tallow. Think of it like this:

  • You have cow fat.
  • You heat it on a slow flame, and it melts and becomes smooth.
  • You strain it to remove any bits or pieces.
  • Let it cool and here clean, soft cooking fat is ready!

It is like a white, thick, creamy oil. For many years, people have used it for cooking. In fact, before vegetable oils were a thing, beef tallow was the champion in the kitchen.

People used it to make biscuits, French fries, or fried chicken. No matter what you’re making, it adds a profound, meaty flavor to the taste. Yum!

Try also: Popeyes Surf and Turf

Why Do People Use Beef Tallow?

There are a few reasons why some people love beef tallow and still prefer it for frying:

  1. Flavor: It enriches your food and makes it taste yummy.
  2. Crispy Texture: It imparts a crispy and crunchy texture to food, making it perfect for fried items. Heard the term “crunchy outside, juicy inside,” yes, just like that.
  3. High Heat: It can bear high heat and does not burn easily, unlike some other oils.
  4. Natural Fat: Some say it is more “natural” than other processed oils.

However, before using it aggressively, read the following reasons to avoid it:

  • It is not suitable for everyone.
  • It is not vegetarian.
  • It can be heavy for some stomachs.

So, now it might occur to you that if it’s that risky to use, does Popeyes use it? Let’s know.

Does Popeyes Use Beef Tallow?

Nay! Popeyes does not use beef tallow. Many years ago, Popeyes used to fry their food in animal fat, but now, they use blended vegetable oils. Thus, a fun fact is that Popeyes switched their frying oil to a soybean and canola oil mix. The underlying reasons were obvious, i.e., to follow food safety rules, health reasons, and the increasing number of vegetarian customers. Thus, if you’re concerned about beef tallow being used in Popeyes’ fries or chicken, don’t be. You’re good to go!

So, What Oil Does Popeyes Use in 2025?

As of today, mid-2025, Popeyes uses a mix of the following oils:

  • Canola Oil
  • Soybean Oil
  • Sometimes cottonseed oil or corn oil is also used, depending on location.

Different countries or restaurants of Popeyes might have minimal changes; however, one thing is for sure. They use:

  • No beef tallow.
  • No pork lard.
  • No animal fat.

The oil used in the fryer is 100% vegetable-based.

Check also: Popeyes Bayou Buffalo Sauce

Is Popeyes Food Okay for Vegetarians?

This is a tricky question. Let’s clarify this. Although the oil is vegetable-based, as discussed above. However, the fryer is also used to cook meat products. This is the drawback of cross-contamination, which is often unavoidable in restaurants. Therefore, even though you order biscuits or fries (non-veg), they are cooked in the same oil as shrimp and chicken.

If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet holistically, this might be a problem for you. However, you can still enjoy the following food items:

  • Coleslaw
  • Mashed potatoes (without gravy)
  • Biscuits
  • Apple pie

It is recommended to check with your local restaurant, as regulations may vary by location.

Try also: Popeyes Premium Strawberry Lemonade

What About Allergies?

Suppose you’re allergic to pork or beef, then? Well, it’s good news because Popeyes does not use beef tallow, so you are safe from beef fat allergy. However, the following allergens can still be found in Popeyes’ food:

  • Soy (in oil and food)
  • Gluten (in breading)
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Shellfish (like shrimp)

It is best practice always to check their official allergen list, which is displayed both in-store and online, or ask at the counter.

Beef Tallow Allergens
Infographic showing beef tallow allergens

If you want to be extra safe, visit: Popeyes Official Website—Allergen Info

Why Did People Think Popeyes Uses Beef Tallow?

This sounds like a genuine query. Indeed, a great question! The answer is simple, concise, and to the point. Because Popeye’s chicken tastes SO GOOD, people thought: “This crunchy, golden flavor… must be beef fat!”

Nope. It’s not beef tallow, but the magical seasoning and cooking at Popeyes that make it a favorite. Additionally, in the past, some fast-food restaurants did use beef tallow. For example:

  • Before 1990, McDonald’s used beef tallow in fries.
  • Old-fashioned diners also used it for deep frying.

Therefore, some folks think Popeyes also uses it. But hey, Surprise, they don’t!

Try also: Popeyes Sweet Heat Sauce

Do You Want Popeyes Flavor at Home (Without Beef Tallow)?

Let’s have some fun in the kitchen, in Popeye’s style ;). Here is a simple chicken recipe inspired by Popeyes, but without the use of beef tallow. The ingredients you need are as follows:

  • Chicken pieces (bone-in)
  • Flour
  • Buttermilk
  • Black pepper
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Paprika
  • Canola or vegetable oil (for frying)

Preparation steps are as follows:

  1. Take a bowl and soak chicken in buttermilk for 3 hours (preferred overnight).
  2. Mix flour with all the spices in another bowl.
  3. Now, take the chicken pieces and coat them in the flour mix.
  4. In a deep pan, heat oil on medium-high heat.
  5. Fry chicken pieces until they are golden brown and cooked correctly.
  6. Take out the fried chicken on a paper towel.
  7. It’s ready to serve now, enjoy it with a big smile.

FAQs-Frequently Asked Questions


No! Popeyes does not use beef tallow. They fry their food in vegetable oils like canola and soybean oil.

Beef tallow is cow fat in melted form. Earlier, people used it for frying purposes. It was preferred because it enriches the food and makes it crunchy.

Popeyes chicken tastes so good, it made people think that the secret is beef fat, however, it’s actually seasoning and vegetable oil.

Not really, the oil they used for frying is vegetable-based, but as the fryers are shared with seafood and chicken. So strict vegans or vegetarians might like to skip fried items.

Popeyes uses a blend of oils, usually soybean and canola oil. Sometimes other plant-based oils are added too.

Obviously! As they don’t use beef tallow, such people are absolutely safe from beef related allergies. However, it is best to always check for other allergens like eggs, soy, dairy, or shellfish.

Final Thoughts

Let us reiterate everything one more time.

  • Popeyes does not use beef tallow.
  • They are fried in vegetable oils, such as canola and soybean oil.
  • No animal fat is used in the cooking of their food.
  • However, it is not 100% vegetarian due to cross-contamination. But that Popeyes flavor? Still delicious!

So next time, when someone asks you, “Hey, does Popeyes use Beef Tallow?” Tell them, “Oh no, buddy! It’s all the magic of veggie oil!”

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