Why Five Guys Uses Peanut Oil (And Why It Makes All the Difference)

Five Guys has been cooking their famous hand-cut fries in 100% peanut oil since day one, and there's a scientific reason why this makes such a difference.

The Science of Peanut Oil

Peanut oil has a high smoke point (around 450°F), which means it can handle the high temperatures needed for perfect frying without breaking down or producing off-flavors. This results in fries that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Unlike many other oils, peanut oil doesn't absorb or transfer flavors between batches, so your fries taste like potatoes, not like the onion rings that were cooked before them.

Health Benefits

The choice also aligns with Five Guys' commitment to quality ingredients. Peanut oil is naturally trans-fat free and contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. It's also rich in vitamin E and has a neutral flavor that doesn't compete with the natural taste of the potatoes.

The Allergy Consideration

However, this choice means Five Guys restaurants aren't suitable for people with peanut allergies, which is why you'll see peanut warnings prominently displayed and complimentary peanuts available while you wait.

This decision wasn't made lightly. The Murrell family weighed the benefits of superior taste and quality against the limitation it would place on some customers, ultimately deciding that the quality improvement was worth it.

The Difference You Can Taste

The result is fries that have achieved almost cult status among burger enthusiasts. The peanut oil creates a distinctive flavor and texture that's become synonymous with the Five Guys experience.

Many food critics and chefs have noted that Five Guys fries taste more like "real potatoes" than most fast-food fries, and the peanut oil is a big part of that authentic flavor.