Shake Shack switches up fan-favorite fry recipe with new sustainable oil

Shake Shack’s famous crinkle cut fries may soon be receiving a major update.

The burger chain on Monday announced that it is testing out a new frying oil which may make the spuds “feel lighter and less greasy.”

Shake Shack’s deep fryers are traditionally filled with soybean oil, but the new partnership with Zero Acre will see two New York City locations try producing fries with the company’s sugarcane plant-based oil.

The company says the switch is being made in part because the sugarcane oil is more environmentally sustainable as well as being better for you, too.

“Zero Acre oil is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, which is more stable for frying than the polyunsaturated fats found in most vegetable oils,” Shake Shack’s press release announcing the switch states.

Menu items that will be prepared in the sugarcane oil will include the fries, ‘Shroom Burger, Chicken Shack and Shack Stack, among others.

The trial will be limited to two Shake Shack locations — Hudson Yards and Battery Park City — but may expand to more locations if it proves to be a hit with customers.

“We are continuously exploring new ways to reduce our environmental footprint,” Shake Shack senior vice president of supply chain Jeffrey Amoscato said in a statement. “We remain committed to exploring initiatives that help us become a more sustainable business.”

It’s not the first time that Shake Shack has tried something new with its fries. Back in 2013, the company traded out its frozen crinkle cut fries for fries that were hand cut in-house like the rest of its menu items.

Customers, however, weren’t happy with the switch, and Shake Shack quickly switched back to the fan favorite item.

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