What Oil Does Panda Express Use? Soybean Oil, Not Peanut Oil (2026)
Updated May 2026 · 4 min read · For serious allergies, always consult Panda Express directly before ordering
Important
This guide is for general information. For life-threatening allergies, always speak to restaurant staff directly and consult the official Panda Express allergen chart at pandaexpress.com/nutrition.
Quick Answer
Panda Express uses soybean oil as its primary cooking oil — not peanut oil. Soybean oil is used for all wok cooking and frying. Sesame oil is used in select dishes (notably Honey Sesame Chicken Breast) as a flavoring. No peanut oil is used in Panda Express restaurants.
Panda Express Cooking Oil — The Details
Soybean Oil — The Primary Cooking Oil
Soybean oil is the cooking oil used across all Panda Express wok cooking, stir-frying, and deep-frying. It's the oil that heats up in those iconic woks behind the counter and is used for:
- • Wok stir-frying — all entrees (Broccoli Beef, Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, etc.)
- • Deep-frying — breaded items like Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef, Spring Rolls, Egg Rolls
- • Fried Rice — soybean oil used in the cooking process
- • Chow Mein — cooked with soybean oil
Soybean oil is derived from soybeans, which are on the top 9 allergen list. However, highly refined soybean oil (which is what Panda Express uses) is generally considered safe for most soy allergy sufferers because the allergenic proteins are removed during the refining process. That said, if you have a severe soy allergy, consult your allergist before eating at any restaurant using soybean oil.
Sesame Oil — Used in Select Dishes
Sesame oil is used as a flavoring ingredient in a small number of Panda Express dishes. The most notable is Honey Sesame Chicken Breast, which contains sesame seeds and sesame oil as ingredients.
Other dishes may have trace sesame from shared wok cooking or sauce cross-contact. If you have a sesame allergy (sesame became a top 9 allergen in the US in 2023), inform the staff and check the official allergen chart at pandaexpress.com/nutrition for the most current item-by-item data.
No Peanut Oil — What This Means for Peanut Allergy
Panda Express does not use peanut oil. The primary cooking oil is soybean oil. There are also no peanut-containing menu items at Panda Express.
However, if you have a peanut allergy, be aware that:
- • Tree nuts are present — Honey Walnut Shrimp contains walnuts, a tree nut. Peanut and tree nut allergies are different, but some people are allergic to both.
- • Shared equipment — shared woks can carry residue from tree nuts in other dishes.
- • For anaphylaxis-risk peanut allergies, always inform staff, as the environment still involves shared cooking surfaces.
Oil & Allergen Summary Table
| Oil / Ingredient | Used at Panda Express? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soybean oil | Yes — primary | Used for all wok cooking and frying |
| Peanut oil | No | Not used — safe from peanut oil for most |
| Sesame oil | Yes — select dishes | Honey Sesame Chicken Breast; possible trace in others |
| Soy sauce | Yes — most entrees | Contains soy and wheat; present in most stir-fry sauces |
| Tree nuts (walnuts) | Yes — Honey Walnut Shrimp | Cross-contact possible via shared woks |
| Dairy | Yes — Cream Cheese Rangoon | Most other items dairy-free |
The Shared Wok Problem
Even if an allergen isn't in your specific dish, Panda Express cooks everything in shared woks. The same woks that cook Honey Walnut Shrimp (walnuts + shrimp) also cook Broccoli Beef and Orange Chicken.
For severe allergies where cross-contamination risk is life-threatening, the shared wok environment may make Panda Express unsafe regardless of which dish you order. Always inform staff, and for serious cases, consult the official allergen information directly from Panda Express.
For a complete allergen breakdown by dish type, see our Panda Express allergen guide.
Check Full Nutrition for Any Item
Build your order in our nutrition calculator to see calories, sodium, fat, and all macros before you order.
Common Questions
What oil does Panda Express use?
Panda Express uses soybean oil as its primary cooking and frying oil across all wok cooking. Soybean oil is used for stir-frying, deep-frying breaded items, and as the base oil in shared woks. Some dishes additionally contain sesame oil as a flavoring ingredient.
Does Panda Express cook in peanut oil?
No. Panda Express does not use peanut oil for cooking. The primary cooking oil is soybean oil. If you have a peanut allergy, the oil itself is not a concern — however, cross-contamination from tree nuts (walnuts in Honey Walnut Shrimp) via shared woks is still a risk.
Does Panda Express use sesame oil?
Yes, sesame oil is used as a flavoring ingredient in select dishes. Honey Sesame Chicken Breast is the most well-known example. Other dishes may contain trace sesame from shared wok cooking. If you have a sesame allergy, check the official allergen chart at pandaexpress.com/nutrition and inform staff before ordering.
Is the oil at Panda Express soy-free?
Soybean oil is derived from soybeans, but refined soybean oil is generally considered safe for most people with soy allergies because the allergenic proteins are removed during refining. However, if you have a severe soy allergy, consult your allergist before dining at Panda Express.
Does Panda Express have soy sauce in all dishes?
Soy sauce is a base ingredient in the stir-fry sauce for most Panda Express entrees, making soy a primary allergen across nearly the entire menu. White Steamed Rice is the only common menu item without soy sauce as a direct ingredient. Cross-contamination from shared woks makes complete soy avoidance very difficult.
Is Panda Express safe for peanut allergies?
Panda Express does not use peanut oil, so the cooking oil itself is safe for peanut allergies. However, cross-contamination in shared cooking equipment from tree nuts (walnuts in Honey Walnut Shrimp) is possible. Panda Express does not have peanuts as a menu ingredient, but anyone with a severe peanut allergy should inform staff and consult the official allergen guide.