Can You Get Anything Vegan at Taco Bell? The Ultimate Plant-Based Guide

November 9, 2025 •

3 min read

Taco Bell proudly certifies its black beans and refried beans as vegan by the American Vegetarian Association. This certification is a great starting point, but many diners still ask: can you get anything vegan at Taco Bell? The answer is a resounding yes, thanks to their highly customizable menu and a few key ordering secrets.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals the best methods for customizing many Taco Bell items to be vegan-friendly, including simple protein swaps and dairy removals. Find specific vegan options and tips for a satisfying plant-based meal.

Key Points

Fresco Style is Your Friend: Ordering an item "Fresco style" automatically swaps dairy for pico de gallo, making many dishes vegan.
Bean Power: Both black beans and refried beans are vegan and certified by the American Vegetarian Association.
Potato Bites: Seasoned potatoes are a great and filling vegan protein alternative to meat.
Check for Dairy: Always remember to specify "no cheese," "no sour cream," and check for creamy sauces like chipotle or avocado ranch.
Cross-Contact Warning: Be aware that Taco Bell uses shared fryers and preparation surfaces, which poses a risk of cross-contact for strict vegans or those with allergies.
App Customization: Use the Taco Bell mobile app to precisely remove and add ingredients, ensuring your order is correctly customized.
Vegan Sauces: All of Taco Bell's classic sauce packets (Mild, Hot, Fire, Diablo, Red) are vegan-friendly.

Your Vegan Order Secret: Master the Customization Menu

One of the biggest advantages of ordering plant-based at Taco Bell is the extensive menu customization. While the options aren't naturally 100% vegan, it's remarkably simple to modify your favorite items. The cornerstone of this strategy is knowing what to substitute and what to remove. By replacing animal-based protein with black beans, refried beans, or potato bites, and omitting dairy products like cheese and sour cream, you can unlock a world of plant-based possibilities.

The 'Fresco Style' Hack

For many items, the easiest way to remove dairy is to order it "Fresco style". This automatically replaces cheese, nacho cheese, and creamy sauces with freshly prepared pico de gallo, a naturally vegan and flavorful topping. This simple change is a powerful tool for quickly veganizing many menu choices.

Vegan-Friendly Menu Items and Customizations

Tacos

Several taco options can be made vegan by substituting meat for beans or potatoes and removing cheese. Ordering "Fresco Style" is an easy way to remove dairy.

Burritos and Larger Plates

Burritos like the Bean Burrito and Black Bean Burrito can be made vegan by ordering with no cheese. Other options like the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito and Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme require removing cheese and creamy sauces. Note that the chalupa shell is not vegan. The Power Menu Bowl (Veggie) can be made vegan by removing dairy and adding guacamole.

Sides and Add-Ons

Many sides are naturally vegan or easily made so, including Cinnamon Twists, Black Beans and Rice, Nachos Fries (without cheese), Chips and Guacamole/Pico de Gallo, and Potatoes. Classic sauce packets are also vegan.

Vegan Taco Bell Comparison Table

Here's a comparison of popular veganizable items:


Item	Vegan Swaps Needed	Main Protein	Additional Notes
Crunchy Taco	No cheese, sub meat for beans or potatoes	Black Beans, Refried Beans, or Potatoes	Order "Fresco Style" for dairy removal.
Bean Burrito	No cheese	Refried Beans	A value menu item.
Power Menu Bowl	No cheese, no sour cream, no Avocado Ranch	Black Beans	Highly customizable; add guacamole.
Black Bean Crunchwrap	No nacho cheese or creamy sauce	Black Beans	The chalupa shell contains milk.

Potential Cross-Contact and Allergies

Taco Bell uses common fryers and prep surfaces for vegan and animal products, which means cross-contact can occur. If you have severe allergies or strict dietary needs, be aware of this risk. You can use the mobile app for special instructions or politely ask staff for careful preparation. Checking the official allergen guide is recommended.

Ordering the Vegan Crunchwrap (Limited-Time Offer)

Taco Bell has tested specific vegan items like the Vegan Crunchwrap, which included plant-based beef and dairy alternatives. This was a limited-time offer in select areas and is not currently widely available. Its existence indicates Taco Bell's interest in plant-based options. Check their app for future developments.

Conclusion: A Plant-Based Taco Bell Fiesta is Possible

Enjoying a vegan meal at Taco Bell is achievable and flavorful through simple customizations. By ordering items "Fresco style" and choosing vegan proteins like beans and potatoes, you can create various plant-based dishes, from tacos to burritos. Taco Bell's adaptable menu makes it a viable choice for vegan fast food. For more detailed nutritional and allergen info, consult the official Taco Bell website {Link: Taco Bell https://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/allergen-info}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Taco Bell's black beans and seasoned refried beans are certified vegan by the American Vegetarian Association.

Ordering "Fresco style" removes all dairy products, such as cheese and creamy sauces, and replaces them with fresh pico de gallo, making many items vegan.

No, the chalupa shells contain milk and are not vegan. It is important to order a burrito or taco on a soft or crunchy tortilla instead.

The Mild, Hot, Fire, and Diablo sauce packets are all vegan. The Red Sauce and some salsas are also vegan.

Yes, you can customize a Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme by ordering it with no nacho cheese or creamy sauce. A limited-time Vegan Crunchwrap with plant-based dairy alternatives has been tested in the past but is not a permanent menu item.

The Power Menu Bowl is arguably the best vegan item because it has a black bean and rice base and can be loaded with veggies and guacamole after removing dairy, providing a hearty and nutritious meal.

Yes, the seasoned potatoes at Taco Bell are vegan and a great replacement for meat in tacos, burritos, and other menu items.

Yes, Taco Bell warns that cross-contact may occur during preparation because vegan and animal ingredients are handled in common, and the same fryers are often used.

Yes, the Cinnamon Twists are a vegan-friendly dessert option.