How to Order Keto from Taco Bell: Your Low-Carb Survival Guide

November 17, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know that Taco Bell is one of the most customizable fast-food restaurants, with over 8 million possible menu combinations? This adaptability is perfect for those on a keto diet who need to navigate the menu to find low-carb options. Here is how to order keto from Taco Bell without sacrificing flavor or your progress.

Quick Summary

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for customizing Taco Bell menu items to fit a ketogenic diet. It covers which base items to order, what to remove, and how to add protein, healthy fats, and flavor enhancers while keeping carb counts low.

Key Points

Order in a bowl: Always ask for your burrito or taco 'in a bowl' or 'no shell' to remove high-carb shells and tortillas.
Ditch the rice and beans: Most menu items that include rice and beans must have these removed to be keto-compliant.
Customize your Power Menu Bowl: Order the Power Menu Bowl with no rice and no beans, then add extra meat, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.
Go for the quesadilla: The chicken or steak quesadilla can be ordered with 'no tortilla' for a high-protein, high-fat meal.
Add extra fat: Load up on healthy fats by adding extra guacamole, cheese, and sour cream to your order.
Use low-carb sauces: Many of Taco Bell's sauce packets, such as Fire and Diablo, are zero-carb flavor boosters.

Your Keto Fast-Food Game Plan

Eating keto at a fast-food restaurant like Taco Bell might seem impossible, but with the right strategy, it's very manageable. The key is to avoid high-carb items like tortillas, shells, rice, and beans, and instead focus on the high-protein meats, cheese, sour cream, and low-carb vegetables. Ordering any menu item 'in a bowl' and 'no rice, no beans' is your secret weapon.

The Golden Rule: "Go Naked" or "In a Bowl"

The first and most important step is eliminating the carbs that serve as the base for most Taco Bell items. This means any burrito, taco, or Crunchwrap should be ordered without the tortilla or shell. Many popular items, such as burritos and the Power Menu Bowl, can be ordered 'in a bowl' to combine all the keto-friendly fillings.

Keto-Friendly Menu Customizations

For a satisfying meal, start with a solid protein and build from there. The Power Menu Bowl is a great starting point, but you can also build a custom bowl or order items à la carte. Here’s a breakdown of how to modify some popular choices:

Power Menu Bowl: Order with no rice and no beans. Fill it with extra protein (chicken, steak, or beef), extra shredded cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. The avocado ranch sauce is also a keto-friendly, low-carb addition.
Chicken Chipotle Melt: Order this with 'no tortilla'. It's a fantastic, low-carb option from the value menu that comes with grilled chicken, cheese, and a creamy chipotle sauce.
Quesadillas: Order a chicken or steak quesadilla with 'no tortilla'. You'll receive a delicious bowl of melted cheese, grilled meat, and creamy jalapeño sauce.
Tacos: A traditional crunchy or soft taco can be ordered 'no shell'. You will receive the seasoned beef, cheese, and lettuce in a small bowl, essentially a mini taco salad. You can order a few of these to make a meal.
Nachos BellGrande: This one is a bit of a stretch but can be done. Order with 'no chips and no beans'. This leaves you with seasoned beef, cheese sauce, tomatoes, and sour cream. It's essentially a deconstructed taco salad bowl.

Keto-Friendly Toppings and Add-Ons

To increase fat and flavor, and to add some crucial micronutrients, load up on these keto-friendly toppings:

Meats: Seasoned Beef, Grilled Chicken, Steak
Cheese: Shredded Cheese, Nacho Cheese Sauce
Fats: Guacamole, Reduced-Fat Sour Cream, Creamy Jalapeño Sauce, Avocado Ranch Sauce
Veggies: Lettuce, Onions, Tomatoes, Jalapeño Peppers
Sauces: Diablo, Hot, Fire, and Mild sauce packets are all 0g net carbs.

What to Avoid Entirely

To ensure your meal remains keto-compliant, be mindful of the high-carb ingredients that should be avoided:

Tortillas and Shells: Flour tortillas, corn shells, Gordita flatbread, and Chalupa shells.
Rice and Beans: Seasoned rice, black beans, and refried beans.
Potatoes and Chips: Fiesta potatoes and nacho chips.
Sweet Drinks: All regular sodas and freezes are high in sugar.

Low-Carb Taco Bell Meal Comparison Table


Item	Keto Modifications	Net Carbs (Approx.)	Notes
Power Menu Bowl	No rice, no beans	~4-6g	Your best and most filling option. Request extra meat and toppings.
Chicken Quesadilla	No tortilla	~3g	Excellent protein and fat ratio. Ask for extra creamy jalapeño sauce.
Cheesy Toasted Breakfast Burrito	No tortilla	~3g	A surprisingly keto-friendly breakfast with bacon, eggs, and cheese sauce.
Crunchy Taco Supreme	No shell	~4-5g	A deconstructed taco salad, simple but effective. Order a couple for a meal.
Nachos BellGrande	No chips, no beans	~10g	For when you need a cheese sauce fix. Ensure no beans are added.

Conclusion: A Keto-Friendly Taco Bell Experience is Possible

Enjoying Taco Bell on a ketogenic diet doesn't have to be a source of stress. By learning how to navigate the menu and customize your order, you can create a delicious, low-carb meal that satisfies your fast-food cravings. The Power Menu Bowl and quesadillas ordered 'no tortilla' are standout options that provide a great balance of protein and fat, ensuring you stay in ketosis. Remember to be specific with your customizations, and don't hesitate to add extra cheese, sour cream, and guacamole to boost flavor and fat content. With these simple tips, Taco Bell can be a viable and satisfying option for your on-the-go ketogenic lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can eat a Taco Bell taco, but you must order it with 'no shell'. The meat, cheese, and lettuce will be served in a bowl, and you can add keto-friendly toppings like sour cream and guacamole.

Yes, Taco Bell's seasoned beef, grilled chicken, and steak are all good protein options for a keto diet. However, they do contain trace amounts of carbs from the seasoning, so be mindful of your total daily intake.

Order the Power Menu Bowl with 'no rice and no beans'. You can then add extra protein and other toppings like shredded cheese, guacamole, and sour cream to increase fat and flavor.

Taco Bell's Nacho Cheese Sauce is relatively low in net carbs and can be included in a keto order in moderation. It is a great way to add extra fat and flavor to your modified meal.

Many of Taco Bell's sauces are low-carb. The hot sauce packets (Mild, Hot, Fire, Diablo) are all zero net carbs. You can also use Creamy Chipotle and Avocado Ranch sauces, as they are very low in carbs.

Yes, you can order the Cheesy Toasted Breakfast Burrito with 'no tortilla'. This gives you a bowl of bacon, eggs, and cheese sauce, which is a surprisingly low-carb and satisfying breakfast.

For optimal health and carb control, preparing meals at home with fresh, whole foods is always best. However, customizing your order at Taco Bell is a viable option for occasional fast-food cravings while maintaining a ketogenic diet.