Indiana Fast-Food Chain to Start Cooking Fries with Beef Tallow

The Indianapolis-based fast-food chain known as Steak 'n Shake has announced plans to return to its original fry-cooking method, which utilizes beef tallow instead of cooking oil.

The past has returned. Steak 'n Shake was founded in 1934 and is currently owned by Biglari Holdings, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas. Their fries, like many other restaurant chains, were once cooked in beef tallow before the switch to vegetable oil around the 1990s. However, according to Fox 59, the chain will be returning to its original method at all locations starting this year. The move comes after a recent survey conducted by Steak 'n Shake on X, which appeared to indicate that over 90% of respondents wanted their fries cooked in beef tallow.

What is Beef Tallow?

Before we talk about the health implications of this decision, let's first discuss what beef tallow actually is. According to the Mayo Clinic, beef tallow is made by removing, simmering, and clarifying the fatty tissue of cows. You could also make tallow from other animals, such as pigs or venison. This rendered fat can be used for many things, but it's typically used for deep frying and roasting. I have made beef tallow many times in my life, and personally prefer cooking with it over seed oils. It has a much richer flavor and can be easily made at home with meat scraps. My grandfather once told me that’s all his mother used when cooking. But just how healthy is it compared to vegetable oils?

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Is Beef Tallow Really Healthier Than Seed Oils?

Tallow is very high in saturated fat, which has been known to raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. For years, vegetable oils, which are made from the seeds of plants like sunflower, canola, and corn, were believed to be a healthy alternative to beef tallow due to their lower levels of saturated fat. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, while saturated fats have been demonized in the past, eating certain kinds or small amounts might not be as harmful as previously thought.

Tallow also contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered healthier. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is one polyunsaturated omega-6 fat found in animal fats and linked to potential health benefits such as preventing plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis). However, more research is needed about the effects of conjugated linoleic acid.

Final Thoughts on Beef Tallow

In addition to fat, beef tallow contains fat-soluble vitamins that are vital for various bodily functions, including immune support, bone health, cellular function, and skin health. Seed oils, on the other hand, are so highly processed that they are void of any actual nutrients. That said, at the end of the day, it's ultimately up to you as to which option you would rather put in your body. After all, fried food of any kind isn't at all considered healthy. Personally, I would recommend keeping an open mind, but especially enjoying those kinds of foods only in moderation—including Steak 'n Shake fries.