What Does Popeyes Fry Its Beloved Chicken In?

Popeyes, the fast food chain behind one of the best Super Bowl food commercials of 2024, was founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 4,000 locations around the world, this fast food chain has expanded to great heights over the decades. Despite its growth, Popeyes has kept its Louisiana history and flavors front and center while also keeping the quality of the products served on its menu in mind.

In August 2022, Popeyes announced a five year food quality commitment. With the aim of continuing to produce quality food while also reducing its environmental footprint, this commitment included an committing to a transition to sustainably sourced palm oil. So, you may naturally assume that palm oil is responsible for that crispy, golden brown crust on Popeyes fried chicken. 

Yet, while there are certainly menu items that still appear to include palm oil as an ingredient, the main base for frying Popeyes' beloved chicken is reportedly shortening containing beef fat, otherwise known as beef tallow. However, finding that specific up-to-date information, at least for U.S.-based Popeyes locations, is tricky. If you're unsure, it's worth asking an employee at your next visit.

Beef tallow is made from fatty tissue found around the organs of cows. Though solid at room temperature, beef tallow is great for cooking at higher temperatures. Popeyes would not be the first to rely on beef fat to fry chicken; many cooks heat up a few cups of beef tallow in a deep pot or deep fryer to fry chicken, though other fast food chains have largely phased out this ingredient.

Unlike cooking oils like olive oil, beef tallow is high in saturated fats and contains vitamins that could help boost immune, bone, and skin health. While saturated fats are certainly unhealthy in regular, large quantities, a few pieces of chicken fried in beef tallow is not the end of the world (especially if your diet is otherwise well balanced).

In fact, the flavor beef tallow imparts to dishes cooked is what makes some of the best burritos in California so beloved. Additionally, the crispy, but not oily, texture beef tallow imparts to fried chicken specifically just might make you go the extra mile to warm up the leftovers in the best way possible.