Understanding the Standard and Veggie Mexican Pizza
For many years, the standard Taco Bell Mexican pizza included seasoned ground beef between two fried flour tortillas, topped with sauce, a three-cheese blend, and tomatoes. This version is, by definition, not vegetarian. Recognizing the growing demand for plant-based options, Taco Bell introduced a "Veggie Mexican Pizza" that is certified by the American Vegetarian Association (AVA). This certification applies to a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, which allows for dairy products and eggs but not animal byproducts.
The Veggie Mexican Pizza swaps the seasoned beef for Taco Bell's signature vegetarian refried beans. These refried beans, along with the black beans, are AVA-certified vegan, meaning they do not contain animal ingredients like lard, which is sometimes used in traditional refried bean recipes. The standard Veggie Mexican Pizza still includes a blend of dairy cheese, so it is lacto-ovo vegetarian, but not vegan.
Customizing for a Stricter Diet
For those following a stricter vegan diet, the Mexican pizza is still an option with a few simple modifications. By using the Taco Bell app or ordering in-store, customers can easily customize their order. To make the Veggie Mexican Pizza completely vegan, simply ask to remove the three-cheese blend. This leaves you with the crunchy tortilla shells, refried beans, and pizza sauce, which are all vegan. You can also ask for black beans instead of refried beans or add other vegan-friendly toppings to enhance your meal.
The Importance of Avoiding Cross-Contamination
While Taco Bell offers certified vegetarian ingredients and items, it is important for individuals with strict dietary needs to be aware of the risk of cross-contamination. Taco Bell's official disclaimer, published on its website, explicitly states that common frying oil may be used to prepare both meat and vegetarian items. Additionally, the same cooking utensils and prep areas are used for both types of ingredients. This practice may not be acceptable for all types of vegetarians, particularly those who follow a strict non-dairy diet or have allergies.
For most vegetarians, this level of cross-contact is a manageable risk. However, for vegans or those with severe allergies, it is recommended to voice concerns when ordering. Some customers have even suggested asking for items to be left uncut to avoid shared cutting tools.
A comparison of Mexican pizza options
| Feature | Standard Mexican Pizza | Veggie Mexican Pizza | Vegan Mexican Pizza (Customized) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat | Seasoned Ground Beef | No meat | No meat |
| Beans | Refried Beans | Refried Beans | Refried Beans or Black Beans |
| Dairy Cheese | Yes | Yes (three-cheese blend) | No (ask to remove) |
| Pizza Sauce | Yes (Vegetarian) | Yes (Vegetarian) | Yes (Vegetarian) |
| Toppings | Diced Tomatoes | Diced Tomatoes | Diced Tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, guacamole |
| Suitable for Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians | No | Yes (with cross-contamination risk) | Yes (with cross-contamination risk) |
| Suitable for Vegans | No | No | Yes (ask to remove cheese) |
Other vegetarian options at Taco Bell
Beyond the Mexican pizza, Taco Bell offers an extensive menu of other AVA-certified vegetarian options. The company's mobile app and in-store kiosks feature a "Veggie Mode" that highlights these items, which can often be made vegan with slight modifications.
Here are some of the other popular vegetarian choices:
- Bean Burrito: Includes refried beans, red sauce, and cheese. Can be made vegan by removing the cheese.
- Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme: Contains black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and nacho cheese sauce. Can be made vegan by removing the nacho cheese and sour cream.
- Spicy Potato Soft Taco: Features crispy potato bites, lettuce, cheese, and creamy chipotle sauce. Easily customized to be vegan by removing the cheese and chipotle sauce.
- Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes: Crispy potatoes topped with nacho cheese and sour cream. Remove the cheese and sour cream for a vegan-friendly side dish.
The nutritional aspect of vegetarian options
Choosing vegetarian options at a fast-food restaurant can be part of a balanced diet, but it's important to consider the nutritional profile. For example, while the Veggie Mexican Pizza is free of meat, it still contains a significant amount of sodium and calories. Relying on items like the Bean Burrito can provide a good source of protein and fiber from the beans, but these items can also be high in sodium.
For a more health-conscious vegetarian meal, consider customizing your order with extra vegetables, opting for black beans over refried beans, and being mindful of high-sodium ingredients like nacho cheese sauce. The Veggie Power Menu Bowl, for instance, can be a nutrient-dense option, providing black beans, rice, and fresh vegetables.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mexican pizza at Taco Bell is not vegetarian in its standard form. However, Taco Bell offers a certified Veggie Mexican Pizza that is suitable for lacto-ovo vegetarians. For vegans and those with more specific dietary requirements, easy customizations can be made by ordering without cheese and being mindful of the potential for cross-contamination. With the company's variety of vegetable-based ingredients, it is possible for many different dietary preferences to enjoy a meal at Taco Bell with careful ordering. For a guide on plant-based eating at fast-food restaurants, check out VegNews's resource on how to order vegan at Taco Bell.
