You might know that Panda Express is a Chinese restaurant, but did you know that it’s actually owned by Panda Restaurant Group? The company started in California in the early 90s as a small fast food chain. They opened their first restaurant in Anaheim, California, and have expanded to over 1,100 locations across America.
Panda express uses peanuts in their dishes, and many people want to know whether or not Panda Express uses peanut oil—and if so, how much?
Let’s take a look at whether Panda express uses peanut oil and how healthy is it.
Does Panda Express Use Peanut Oil?
According to one of Panda Express’s former employee Anthony Rodriguez, they use a 100% vegetable oil for cooking their food. Panda express doesn’t use peanut oil for their food because they’re an allergy-friendly fast food chain.
What Other Oils Does Panda Express Use?
Panda Express uses a variety of oils to make food. From the oil used for cooking vegetables, to the oil used to marinate meat, and even the oil that is used to fry their foods, you can be sure that Panda Express uses some high-quality oils.
They use soybean oil as a primary cooking oil because it has a high smoke point and low saturated fat content. It also has a neutral flavor that doesn’t alter the taste of your food.
They also use canola oil because it’s neutral flavor works well in most recipes. It also has less saturated fat than soybean oil, making it a healthier option.
Additionally, Panda Express also uses olive oil when they want a more distinctive flavor profile than soybean oils would provide. For example, they sometimes use olive oil for marinating meats before cooking them on the grill or over direct flame.
Does Panda Express Use Peanuts?
Panda Express uses peanuts for a unique taste and to give its customers a culinary experience that can’t be replicated by other restaurants.
The Panda Express menu has a wide variety of items: from soups, appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts and drinks. However, some items that contain peanuts include the Mongolian beef and regular chicken fried rice.
The regular chicken fried rice is served in a steaming bowl with an egg roll on top. The sauce is made with a red sauce base that contains no artificial flavors or MSG. The Mongolian beef is marinated in garlic sauce, served over white rice seasoned with green onions and cilantro leaves.
Panda Express uses peanuts because they believe it gives their dishes an irresistible taste. They also believe that eating peanut-based foods can reduce blood pressure levels as well as improve heart health.
Is Panda Express safe for people with peanut allergies?
If you have severe allergies, it’s necessary to inform the restaurant staff of your allergy when placing your order, and to exercise caution when going to a restaurant that uses peanuts in their cooking.
How Healthy is Panda Express?
Panda Express is a restaurant that has a variety of options for customers to choose from. The food is healthy and has a lot of ingredients that are good for you. Panda Express is also very inexpensive, which makes it easy to order your favorite food when you are on a budget.
The food at Panda Express has fresh vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. They also use olive oil as one of their main ingredients in most of their dishes. This helps make the food taste better because it adds flavor to the dish instead of just making it look like another fast food restaurant where everything tastes the same.
Panda Express uses organic and natural spices so that their customers do not get sick from eating them. They also use no MSG or preservatives so that you don’t getting sick from eating something unhealthy. The only thing bad about eating at Panda Express is that it takes longer than normal to get your order. That’s because they cook everything from scratch instead of using frozen foods like other fast-food restaurants do (such as KFC and Shake Shack).
Panda Express offers some options that may be considered healthier than others. For example:
- Some of their dishes, such as their grilled chicken and mixed veggies, contain lean proteins and vegetables, which can be good sources of nutrients.
- They also have brown rice as alternative to white rice.
- They have a variety of side dishes, such as Super Greens (a blend of broccoli, kale, and spinach) and fruit cups, which can provide additional nutrients.
Always consider the nutritional content of the food you are eating and to find options that suit your personal health goals. Keep in mind that no single meal can be considered “healthy” in isolation, so you should maintain a balanced diet overall.
What to Keep In Mind Going to Panda Express
If you are planning to visit Panda Express, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind:
- Allergies: If you have any allergies, it is important to inform the staff of your allergies when placing your order. Like KFC and Shake Shack, Panda Express uses peanuts in some of facilities, so there is a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen.
- Nutrition: Panda Express’s menu has dishes with different nutritional profiles. If you want to make healthier food choices or have specific dietary needs, you may want to consider ordering dishes that are lower in calories, fat, and sodium.
- Portion sizes: Panda Express’s portions are large, so you should consider sharing your food with someone or taking some home for leftovers.
- Customization: Panda Express lets you customize your order by choosing your entrée, side dishes, and sauces. This can be a superb way to create a meal that meets your specific dietary needs.
- Wait times: Depending on the location and time of day, you may need to wait longer to place your order. You may want to consider calling ahead or using the restaurant’s app to place an order for pickup.
Final Thoughts
Based on Panda Express’s website, the restaurant uses a blend of soy-bean based oils for cooking. If you have a peanut allergy, there is a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen, as the Panda express uses peanuts in some dishes. If you have a severe allergy, it is a good idea to inform the staff of your allergy when placing your order.
