Hey everyone!
I’ve recently been curious about the kind of oil Popeyes uses for frying, especially since their chicken has such a rich, crispy texture and that unmistakable flavor. After doing a bit of digging, I found out that Popeyes actually uses a special frying blend that includes beef tallow—a traditional cooking fat that used to be common in the fast-food world.
Beef tallow is known for its high smoke point, long shelf life, and deep, savory flavor. It’s the same type of fat McDonald’s used in their fries back in the day (before switching to vegetable oil in the '90s). Some independent burger joints still use it too, mostly for flavor reasons.
It’s interesting that Popeyes still use beef tallow, especially when so many other chains have moved away from animal fats. I think that’s part of what gives their chicken that bold, classic taste that stands out.
Have any of you noticed a difference in flavor compared to other chains? Or do you prefer places that stick with traditional methods like this?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
