What food is vegan at Taco Bell? A Complete Guide to Plant-Based Ordering

According to the official Taco Bell website, their black and refried beans are certified vegan, making them a reliable base for building a plant-based meal. To find out exactly what food is vegan at Taco Bell, you can master their customization system to transform many popular menu items into a satisfying plant-based feast.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines the naturally vegan items and customizable menu hacks for ordering plant-based food at Taco Bell. Learn the 'Fresco style' modification, discover the core vegan ingredients, and get step-by-step instructions to create satisfying vegan tacos, burritos, and bowls.

Key Points

• 'Fresco Style': The key to veganizing most items is ordering 'Fresco style', which removes all dairy and mayo-based sauces and adds fresh tomatoes.

• Vegan Proteins: Both black beans and seasoned refried beans are certified vegan, serving as excellent meat substitutes. Potatoes are also a solid, certified vegan option.

• Naturally Vegan Items: Enjoy quick vegan bites like Cinnamon Twists, Black Beans and Rice, and Chips with Guacamole without any modifications.

• Customization is King: Build your own vegan Crunchwrap, Burrito, or Power Menu Bowl by swapping out non-vegan ingredients.

• Check for Cross-Contact: Be aware that Taco Bell does not guarantee against cross-contact with animal products due to shared cooking surfaces.

• Use the App: Ordering through the Taco Bell app provides the most seamless and accurate way to customize your vegan meal.

Taco Bell has a reputation for being one of the most accommodating fast-food chains for vegetarian and vegan diners, primarily due to its highly customizable menu. While not every item is vegan from the start, a few simple modifications can unlock a wide array of plant-based possibilities. The secret weapon for any vegan at Taco Bell is the 'Fresco style' modification, which replaces dairy-based ingredients with fresh pico de gallo or diced tomatoes. Combining this with their certified vegan black and refried beans allows for almost endless combinations. This guide will break down the naturally vegan options and provide a detailed blueprint for creating delicious, cruelty-free meals at your local Taco Bell.

Naturally Vegan Options

Some menu items at Taco Bell are vegan without any modifications, making them a quick and easy choice when ordering. These items are excellent starting points for a satisfying vegan meal or snack.

• Cinnamon Twists: The iconic, light, and airy dessert is certified vegan by the American Vegetarian Association, making it a perfect sweet treat to finish your meal.
• Black Beans and Rice: A simple but hearty side dish that is completely vegan as-is. It serves as an excellent base for a bowl or a flavorful side to any customized item.
• Chips and Guacamole: The nacho chips and premium guacamole are both certified vegan, though you should order them separately to avoid the non-vegan nacho cheese sauce.
• Seasoned Fries: Taco Bell's popular Seasoned Fries are vegan without the nacho cheese sauce. Be aware that Taco Bell explicitly states that items cooked in frying oil may have cross-contact with animal products.
• Hash Browns: A perfect option for a vegan breakfast, these are cooked in vegan oil.
• Sauce Packets: All of Taco Bell's sauce packets—Mild, Hot, Fire, and Diablo—are vegan. The Red Sauce is also vegan and a fantastic flavor addition.

Customizing Your Vegan Meal: The 'Fresco Style' Method

The 'Fresco style' hack is the key to transforming most vegetarian menu items into vegan ones. Here's how it works:

1. Start with a Vegetarian Base: Look for items marked with a green 'V' on the menu. This indicates a vegetarian item containing no meat.
2. Order 'Fresco Style': This is the magic phrase. It automatically replaces cheeses, creamy sauces, and reduced-fat sour cream with freshly prepared diced tomatoes or pico de gallo.
3. Swap Your Protein: For a more substantial meal, substitute the meat in any item with black beans, seasoned refried beans, or potato bites. Both bean options and the potatoes are certified vegan.
4. Add Your Favorites: Pile on other vegan-friendly toppings like lettuce, onions, jalapenos, and guacamole to build a more complex and flavorful meal.

Vegan Menu Hacks and Combos

Here are some popular menu items and how to make them vegan with the customization strategy.

• Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme: Order it without sour cream and nacho cheese sauce, or simply ask for it 'Fresco style'. This leaves a delicious combination of black beans, crispy tostada, lettuce, and tomatoes inside a grilled tortilla.
• Bean Burrito: Order it 'Fresco style'. This removes the cheese and creates a satisfying burrito with refried beans, red sauce, and onions.
• Spicy Potato Soft Taco: Order it 'Fresco style' to eliminate the creamy chipotle sauce and cheese, leaving you with a soft tortilla filled with crispy potato bites, lettuce, and tomatoes. Add guacamole or extra red sauce for flavor.
• Power Menu Bowl - Veggie: Order without the cheese, sour cream, and avocado ranch sauce. This bowl comes with black beans, seasoned rice, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, and a scoop of pico de gallo.
• Crunchy or Soft Tacos: Order with black beans or refried beans instead of meat and ask for 'Fresco style' to remove the cheese. This gives you a classic, satisfying taco.
• Fiesta Veggie Burrito: Ask for it 'Fresco style' to remove the cheese, sour cream, and chipotle sauce. It already contains black beans and seasoned rice.

Comparison of Vegan Fast Food Chains

Feature	Taco Bell	Chipotle	Del Taco
Vegan Protein Options	Black Beans, Refried Beans, Potato Bites	Sofritas (Tofu), Black Beans, Pinto Beans	Beyond Meat Crumbles, Black Beans
:---	:---	:---	:---
Ordering Ease	High. Many pre-set vegetarian items and 'Fresco style' customization.	High. Build-your-own model makes it simple to pick vegan ingredients.	High. Multiple vegan protein options and clear menu labeling.
Variety of Items	Extensive. Customize tacos, burritos, bowls, crunchwraps, and more.	Primarily burritos, bowls, and tacos. More limited format options.	Broad menu includes tacos, burritos, fries, and breakfast items.
Price Point	Generally very affordable with value menu items.	Moderate. Often slightly more expensive than Taco Bell.	Very competitive with Taco Bell on price and value.
Dessert Options	Cinnamon Twists (Vegan).	None are vegan.	Churros and cinnamon donuts are not vegan.

What to Know When Ordering

While Taco Bell is very accommodating, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your meal is fully vegan.

Cross-Contact

For strict vegans, it is important to know that Taco Bell makes no claims of completely avoiding cross-contact with meat products. The company states that the same frying oil may be used for vegan and non-vegan items and that common food preparation areas are used. For those with severe allergies or who wish to avoid any potential contact, this is a crucial point.

Online Ordering and App

For the most seamless experience, use the Taco Bell app or website. These platforms make customization incredibly simple. You can select a vegetarian item, remove dairy with a click, and add additional ingredients without the risk of miscommunication. The app is also a great way to save your favorite customized vegan orders for future visits.

Beverage Options

Most sodas and fountain drinks are vegan. Be cautious with Freeze drinks, although most, including the Baja Blast, are vegan, it's always best to check the latest ingredient information if you have concerns. Unsweetened iced tea is a safe and reliable option.

Conclusion

For vegans, Taco Bell offers a surprisingly broad and satisfying range of options beyond just a plain salad. By mastering the art of customization, particularly the 'Fresco style' hack, you can enjoy a flavorful and affordable meal. Starting with certified vegan items like black and refried beans or potato bites and using the mobile app for easy modifications is the simplest way to navigate the menu. While cross-contact is a possibility, Taco Bell's transparency and flexible ordering process make it a reliable and convenient choice for plant-based fast-food cravings.

For more detailed information on ingredients and allergens, you can always consult the official Taco Bell nutrition guide.

How to Order Vegan at Taco Bell: A Recap

1. Choose a certified vegetarian item as your base.
2. Use the 'Fresco style' modification to replace dairy ingredients with tomatoes.
3. Swap meat for black beans, refried beans, or potatoes for a satisfying protein boost.
4. Add extra veggies, guacamole, or red sauce for more flavor and substance.
5. Utilize the app for easy and precise customization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Taco Bell's refried beans and black beans vegan?

Yes, according to Taco Bell's official website, both the seasoned refried beans and the black beans are certified vegan.

What does 'Fresco style' mean for a vegan order?

Ordering 'Fresco style' means that the restaurant will replace any cheese, mayo-based sauces, and reduced-fat sour cream with freshly prepared diced tomatoes or pico de gallo, which helps to remove dairy from most items.

Can I make a Crunchwrap Supreme vegan?

Yes, you can make a Crunchwrap Supreme vegan by ordering the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme and asking for it without sour cream and nacho cheese sauce, or simply ordering it 'Fresco style'.

Are Taco Bell's Cinnamon Twists vegan?

Yes, Taco Bell's Cinnamon Twists are a naturally vegan dessert item, with no animal products in their ingredients.

Does Taco Bell offer vegan cheese alternatives?

Currently, Taco Bell does not offer a vegan cheese alternative as a standard menu item, so you will need to remove all cheese and cheese sauces for a vegan order.

Are Nacho Fries vegan at Taco Bell?

Taco Bell's seasoned Nacho Fries are vegan, but you must order them without the nacho cheese sauce. Note that they may be cooked in the same oil as meat-containing products.

Is it safe for someone with a dairy allergy to eat vegan at Taco Bell?

While it's possible to order items without dairy, Taco Bell explicitly states that cross-contact with meat and other ingredients can occur due to shared cooking and preparation areas. People with severe allergies should exercise caution.