In-N-Out is changing these 2 ingredients. See what's different
In-N-Out Burger recently announced that it is changing two ingredients used at its restaurants.
The popular fast-food chain said the latest ingredient changes, along with several over the years, are part of its ongoing effort to provide customers with the "freshest, highest-quality food possible," according to a statement on Sept. 8.
"Over the years, we've made meaningful changes to our ingredients, and this past year was no exception," In-N-Out said in its statement. "We're pleased to share our latest updates, and we'll continue building on that commitment for years to come."
Here are the new ingredient changes In-N-Out is implementing.
One change affects the burger chain's hamburger buns. In-N-Out said it will no longer use sesame flour in its buns, and every location in its 10-state footprint will adhere to the new requirement.
Sesame is considered a major food allergen and can cause serious reactions for people with sesame allergies. In-N-Out did not provide additional details in its Sept. 8 statement about why it made the change.
In-N-Out also said it changed the packeted salt at its restaurants. The chain's salt packets now contain sea salt instead of iodized salt. The two types of salt are similar nutritionally and contain comparable amounts of sodium, according to Mayo Clinic. Harvard Health also notes that alternative salts such as sea salt are not necessarily healthier than table salt because both are largely sodium chloride.
Sea salt is generally less processed and can contain trace amounts of minerals such as potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium, according to Harvard Health. But those minerals are present in small amounts and aren't a substitute for getting those nutrients from whole foods, it said.
Customers place their order during the opening of Colorado's In-N-Out location in Loveland, Colo., on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. In-N-Out Burger was founded in 1948 by Harry Snyder and his wife Esther in Baldwin Park, Calif. Originally just a Southern California regional restaurant chain, it has expended over the past several years to northern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah,Texas and recently Tennessee. (Logan Newell, The Coloradoan via USA TODAY NETWORK)The new In-N-Out is set to open at the West End center at West Fifth and Keystone Ave in Reno, Nev. (Andy Barron, RGJ via USA TODAY NETWORK)Malachi Ramirez, 20 months, eats his fries during the opening of In-N-Out in Keizer on Dec. 12, 2019. His brother Marcus, of Whiteaker Middle School, was one of the straight A students that received an early spot in line. (MADELEINE COOK, Salem Statesman Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)Double-double burgers during the opening of In-N-Out in Keizer on Dec. 12, 2019. (MADELEINE COOK, Salem Statesman Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)A worker takes orders in the drive-thru lane at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant on July 21, 2025 in Daly City, California. In-N-Out Burger heiress and CEO Lynsi Snyder announced that she will be relocating her family from California to Tennessee, citing the challenges of raising a family and running a business in the state. In-N-Out has more than 280 restaurants in eight states. (Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)Workers serve customers at In-N-Out Burger outlet in Los Angeles, California on May 7, 2025. (Daniel Cole, REUTERS)A hamburger and fries are pictured at In-N-Out Burger outlet in Los Angeles, California on May 7, 2025. (Daniel Cole, REUTERS)People line up in their cars for hours at the newly opened In-n-Out burger in Aurora, Colorado on November 20, 2020. (REUTERS)Brandon Pierce, left, interacts with Judah Pierce before taking a bite of his meal during the opening of Colorado's new In-N-Out location in Loveland, Colo., on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (Logan Newell, The Coloradoan via USA TODAY NETWORK)The new In-N-Out Burger fast food restaurant in the Sherwood Mall on Pacific and Yokuts avenues in Stockton, Calif. is now open. (CLIFFORD OTO, THE STOCKTON RECORD via USA TODAY NETWORK)Tracey Cox chats with customers about their order during the opening of Colorado's new In-N-Out location in Loveland, Colo., on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (Logan Newell, The Coloradoan via USA TODAY NETWORK)An employee takes food to a customer during the opening of Colorado's new In-N-Out location in Loveland, Colo., on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (Logan Newell, The Coloradoan via USA TODAY NETWORK)A sign reading "Quality you can taste" is seen over the counter at In-N-Out in La Quinta, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. (Andy Abeyta, The Desert Sun via USA TODAY NETWORK)An In-N-Out employee directs traffic toward the drive-thru in Rancho Mirage, January 7, 2022. (Jay Calderon, The Desert Sun via USA TODAY NETWORK)California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger eats at an In-N- Out burger restaurant with California Assemblyman Abe Maldonado during a lunch break on his "California Comeback" bus tour in October 4, 2003 Merced, California. This is the final weekend before the recall vote on October 7. (Pool photo by Stephan Savoia via Getty Images)In the first ten minutes of opening, In-N-Out employees begin to serve customers during the Keizer Station In-N-Out opening on Dec. 12, 2019. (MADELEINE COOK, Salem Statesman Journal via USA TODAY Network)Steve Ross, Edna Hotchkin and Margie Taft, of Calgary, Canada, enjoy one of the first meals at the new In-N-Out in Rancho Mirage, Calif. on January 7, 2022. (Jay Calderon, The Desert Sun via USA TODAY NETWORK)The double-double and animal-style fries during the opening of In-N-Out in Keizer, Ore. on Dec. 12, 2019. (MADELEINE COOK, Salem Statesman Journal via USA TODAY Network)Jourdan Bautista, of Damascus, receives the first to-go order from the Keizer Station In-N-Out during its opening on Dec. 12, 2019. Bautista arrived the day before and received a wristband to be first. He ordered two double-doubles, three orders of fries, and a shake. (MADELEINE COOK, Salem Statesman Journal via USA TODAY Network)Nelsi, Marcus, 12, and Malachi, 20 months, Ramirez eat their burgers together during the opening of In-N-Out in Keizer, Ore. on Dec. 12, 2019. Marcus, of Whiteaker Middle School, was one of the straight A students that received an early spot in line. (MADELEINE COOK, Salem Statesman Journal via USA TODAY Network)People wait outside, despite heavy rain, to get into the opening of In-N-Out in Keizer, Ore. on Dec. 12, 2019. (MADELEINE COOK, Salem Statesman Journal via USA TODAY Network)The In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda Blvd and Westchester Parkway in Los Angeles. In-N-Out Burger was founded in founded in 1948 by Harry Snyder and his wife Esther in Baldwin Park, Calif. and as of 2013 had 290 locations. Originally just a Southern California regional restaurant chain, it has expended over the past several years to northern California and then Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Texas. (Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY)Lunch at In-N-Out Burger in 2016. (Christopher Elliott, For USA TODAY)In-N-Out has about 300 locations in western states.
In N Out (Maureen Wallenfang, USA TODAY NETWORK)
The latest announcement follows a change In-N-Out made to its ketchup in 2025. The packeted and dispensed ketchup is now made with real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup.
The company also changed the recipes for its Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade last year, removing artificial coloring from the beverages, Los Angeles-based TV station KTLA reported.
Both these changes came after the Food and Drug Administration announced plans to phase out certain synthetic food dyes. In-N-Out said removing artificial coloring was part of its effort to use high-quality ingredients.
In-N-Out has continued to face calls from some customers to make another change: switching the oil used to cook its fries to beef tallow. As of Sept. 10, the chain has not announced a switch to beef tallow.
The In-n-Out logo is displayed on the front of an In-n-Out restaurant on October 28, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, California.
In-N-Out's "fresh" ingredients approach has also shaped how quickly the company can expand.
Unlike many major fast-food chains, In-N-Out does not freeze its beef patties or produce, KTLA reported. Its beef, produce and other products are distributed through an internal supply chain designed to keep restaurants within about a day's drive of its distribution hubs.
In-N-Out now has more than 430 restaurants across 10 states. The company is continuing to expand, with a new location recently opening on Sept. 4 in Irvine, California, where In-N-Out is headquartered.
Additional locations are planned in Chino, Commerce, South El Monte and Stockton, California, as well as San Tan Valley, Arizona and Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Contributing: USA TODAY Network reporter Paris Barraza
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected] or on X @athompsonUSAT
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: In-N-Out is changing these 2 ingredients. See what's different