National chain · Classic diner · Est. 1934
Steak 'n Shake
As of January 2025: no longer vegetarian.
§ 01
At a glance
Vegetarian
Not suitable
Cooked in 100% beef tallow (rendered beef fat) since January 2025.
Vegan
Not suitable
Beef tallow is animal-derived.
Gluten-Free
Not certified
No wheat in fry ingredients; reports vary by location on whether the fry fryer is dedicated.
Dairy-Free
Suitable
No dairy in fries or tallow.
Kosher
Not suitable
Beef tallow disqualifies the fries from kosher diets unless certified from a kosher source.
Halal
Not suitable
Beef tallow disqualifies the fries from halal diets unless certified from a halal source.
This is the batch's biggest story. In January 2025, Steak 'n Shake switched their frying medium from a soy oil blend to 100% beef tallow — a reversion to pre-1990s industry practice. The company framed it as a flavor-and-authenticity decision, echoing similar moves by Popeyes and Buffalo Wild Wings. For vegetarians, vegans, and anyone with alpha-gal syndrome, Steak 'n Shake fries are no longer an option.
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Nutrition facts
Steak 'n Shake's published nutrition data for the serving size most comparable to an industry "medium" order. Values shown are per-serving and calculated against FDA 2020 Daily Values.
For comparison across chains, see our rankings pages — lowest sodium, lowest saturated fat, lowest calorie, and more.
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Ingredients, line by line
Thin-Cut French Fries — annotated
- Potatoes Fine — The fry itself is still just potato.
- 100% beef tallow Beef · Animal-derived — Switched from soy oil blend in January 2025.
- Salt / Fry ‘n Steakburger™ Seasoning Fine — Seasoning blend: salt, dehydrated onion/garlic, sugar, paprika, turmeric, soybean oil. Gluten-free.
French Fries: Potatoes, cooked in 100% beef tallow. Seasoned with Fry ‘n Steakburger™ seasoning (salt, dehydrated onion and garlic, sugar, spices, paprika, turmeric, and soybean oil). Effective January 2025.
The beef-tallow reversion, explained
For most of the 20th century, American fast-food fries were cooked in beef tallow (rendered beef fat). McDonald's famously moved away from it in 1990 after pressure from health advocates and vegetarians. Seed oils became the industry default. In 2024–2025, several chains started reversing course — partly responding to seed-oil skepticism in wellness media, partly chasing nostalgia-flavor. Steak 'n Shake's January 2025 switch was the most prominent. The fries themselves still contain nothing but potatoes and salt, but they are now fried in animal fat, which changes who can eat them.
A note on alpha-gal syndrome
Alpha-gal syndrome is a rare condition (typically acquired through a tick bite) where the immune system reacts to the alpha-gal sugar present in mammalian meat and fat — including beef tallow. People with alpha-gal should be aware of the Steak 'n Shake switch: foods fried in beef tallow can trigger the reaction.
§ 04
Oil & fryer setup
Primary oil
100% beef tallow
Rendered beef fat. Switched from soy oil blend in January 2025, with rollout completing by end of February 2025.
Fryer setup
Varies by location
Some Steak 'n Shake locations report a dedicated fries fryer; others run fries through shared equipment. Confirm at your specific location if this matters.
Cross-contamination
Depends on location
The primary concern is not cross-contamination — it's that the tallow is the cooking medium itself.
Policy context
Industry reversion
Several chains have moved back toward tallow or lard in recent years, often citing "authenticity" or responding to seed-oil skepticism. This is not a Steak 'n Shake idiosyncrasy.
§ 05
Top-9 allergen status
Per the FDA's nine major allergens, as disclosed by Steak 'n Shake for Steak ’n Shake Thin-Cut Fries.
✓ Milk
✓ Wheat
✓ Egg
! Soy
✓ Peanut
✓ Tree Nut
✓ Fish
✓ Shellfish
✓ Sesame
The fries are allergen-free for the FDA's Big 9 allergens by ingredient. Beef tallow is not an "allergen" under U.S. labeling law but is disqualifying for vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal, and alpha-gal diets.
§ 06
Frequently asked questions
Are Steak 'n Shake's fries vegan?
No — Steak 'n Shake's fries are not vegan. Beef tallow is animal-derived.
Are Steak 'n Shake's fries gluten-free?
Steak 'n Shake's fries contain no gluten as an ingredient, but cross-contact with wheat-breaded items is possible. No wheat in fry ingredients; reports vary by location on whether the fry fryer is dedicated.
What oil are Steak 'n Shake's fries cooked in?
Steak 'n Shake's fries are cooked in 100% beef tallow. Full oil and fryer details — including whether the fryer is shared with breaded items — are documented on this page.
Are Steak 'n Shake's fries dairy-free?
Yes — Steak 'n Shake's fries are dairy-free by ingredient and preparation. No dairy in fries or tallow.
How many calories are in Steak 'n Shake's fries?
A medium order of Steak 'n Shake's fries contains 450 calories, 24g total fat (9g saturated fat), 540mg sodium, 54g carbs, and 4g protein. Source: Steak 'n Shake official; post-tallow-switch values.
Are Steak 'n Shake's fries cooked in beef tallow?
Yes — Steak 'n Shake's fries contain beef-derived fat in the cooking medium (100% beef tallow). This makes them unsuitable for vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and halal diets, and for anyone with alpha-gal syndrome.
§ 07
In the wild
The thin "steakburger" shoestring cut is unchanged. It's what it's cooked in that's new.
§ 08
Sources
Every claim on this page is sourced. If a source is wrong, dated, or missing, tell us — we update quickly.
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Important — read before you eat
Ingredient formulations change, sometimes with no public announcement. Allergen risk at any fast-food restaurant depends on the specific location, the time of day, and the staff on shift. For severe allergies, confirm ingredients with the restaurant at the point of ordering, and when in doubt, ask about fryer and equipment cross-contact. This page is an independent reference — not medical advice.
