The objective of this study is to improve the oxidative stability of soybean oil by using Ziziphi spinosae semen oil (ZSSO). In the present study, the oxidative stability, fatty acid composition, tocopherol, and phenolic changes of soybean oil without additives and soybean oil mixed with 5% ZSSO are evaluated during frying at 180 ℃ for 18 h. Tert‐butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) and vitamin E (VE) as common antioxidants are incorporated into soybean oil for comparison. According to the results of oxidative stability assays of conjugated diene value, thiobarbituric acid value, acid values, and total polar compounds, the incorporation of ZSSO significantly restrain the lipid oxidation of soybean oil. After 18 h of frying, the soybean oil samples with ZSSO has more polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, and DPPH radical scavenging capacity, and less trans fatty acids, compared with TBHQ and VE. In addition, ZSSO‐containing soybean oil maintains a high content of phenols during the frying period, which is correlated with the increase in oxidative stability. Therefore, replacing part of soybean oil with ZSSO can effectively reinforce the performance of soybean oil under frying conditions.