Quick Answer

Unfortunately, Applebee's heavily relies on seed oils throughout their kitchen operations. Like most casual dining chains, they use soybean oil and other high omega-6 vegetable oils for frying, grilling, and food preparation. With a Seed Oil Scout rating of 0/5, Applebee's presents significant challenges for anyone trying to avoid these inflammatory oils.

What Oils Does Applebee's Cook With?

Based on industry standards for casual dining chains and ingredient disclosures, Applebee's primarily uses soybean oil for most cooking operations. This includes their fryers, griddles, and general food preparation.

Soybean oil is problematic because it contains approximately 51% omega-6 linoleic acid, which can contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress when consumed regularly. When heated to high temperatures during frying and grilling, these polyunsaturated fats become even more unstable, forming harmful compounds through lipid peroxidation.

The chain's reliance on seed oils extends beyond just frying. Many of their marinades, dressings, and pre-prepared items likely contain soybean oil, canola oil, or other vegetable oil blends. This makes avoiding seed oils at Applebee's particularly challenging compared to restaurants that use traditional cooking fats like butter, lard, or beef tallow.

Why Chains Choose Seed Oils

Applebee's, like most restaurant chains, chooses seed oils for economic and practical reasons. Soybean oil is cheap, has a neutral flavor, and a relatively high smoke point. However, these benefits come at the cost of nutritional quality and potential health impacts for diners.

The widespread adoption of these oils in the 1990s marked a significant shift away from the animal fats that restaurants traditionally used. This transition prioritized shelf stability and cost savings over the metabolic health of customers.

What Can You Order to Avoid Seed Oils?

While challenging, there are some strategies for minimizing seed oil exposure at Applebee's:

Safer Menu Options

Grilled items without oil: Request that your protein be grilled "dry" without added oils. This works best with naturally fatty cuts of meat that don't require additional cooking fat.

Steamed vegetables: Ask for steamed broccoli or other vegetables instead of their standard preparations, which likely involve seed oils.

Simple salads: Order salads with olive oil and vinegar on the side, avoiding their pre-made dressings which typically contain soybean or canola oil.

Baked potatoes: A plain baked potato with butter is likely your safest starch option, though verify they use real butter rather than margarine.

Items to Avoid

Virtually anything fried is off-limits, including their famous boneless wings, mozzarella sticks, and chicken tenders. The fryer oil is almost certainly soybean-based.

Most of their signature entrees involve cooking methods or ingredients that incorporate seed oils. Their burgers, for example, are likely cooked on a griddle using vegetable oil, and the buns may contain soybean oil.

Even seemingly innocent items like their house salad dressings and marinades are problematic. Ranch, Caesar, and other creamy dressings typically use soybean oil as a base ingredient.

How Does Applebee's Compare to Other Chains?

Applebee's performs similarly to other casual dining chains when it comes to seed oil usage. Restaurants like TGI Friday's, Chili's, and Olive Garden all face the same challenges with widespread seed oil dependency.

However, some chains are beginning to make changes. Five Guys uses peanut oil (still high in omega-6 but more stable), while a few upscale chains have started cooking with avocado oil or even beef tallow for certain items.

The fast-casual segment sometimes offers better options, with chains like Chipotle using rice bran oil (still a seed oil, but considered less problematic than soybean oil) and some local restaurants returning to traditional cooking fats like beef tallow.

For comprehensive guidance on navigating restaurant dining while avoiding seed oils, check out our detailed restaurant avoidance guide.

Community Tips

Seed Oil Scout users have shared several practical strategies for dining at Applebee's:

Call ahead: Some locations may be willing to accommodate special requests if you explain your dietary needs. Ask specifically about cooking oils and preparation methods.

Focus on customization: Applebee's allows significant menu customization. Use this to your advantage by requesting specific preparation methods and avoiding pre-made items.

Consider it a social venue: If you're dining with others who chose Applebee's, focus on the social aspect and eat beforehand or plan to eat properly afterward.

Stick to beverages: When in doubt, order drinks and minimal food. Their coffee and basic beverages are generally safe options.

The Bottom Line

Applebee's presents significant challenges for anyone serious about avoiding seed oils. The chain's 0/5 rating reflects the reality that their entire kitchen operation is built around vegetable oils, making it nearly impossible to find truly clean options.

While you can minimize exposure through careful ordering, truly avoiding seed oils at Applebee's requires accepting very limited menu options and specific preparation requests that may not always be honored.

For those committed to seed oil avoidance, consider this an opportunity to explore local restaurants that prioritize traditional cooking methods, or suggest alternative dining locations when planning group meals.

Ready to find restaurants that align with your health goals? Download Seed Oil Scout to discover dining options in your area that cook with traditional fats instead of inflammatory seed oils. Our community-verified database helps you make informed choices about where to eat, ensuring your dining experiences support your health journey. 🫡