A Vegan’s Guide to Taco Bell
Taco Bell brings fond memories of cheap high school dates and drunken late nights. What might not come to mind is that they have the largest menu for vegetarians and vegans within mainstream fast food. Don’t worry, I am not about to get preachy on why you should change your lifestyle. I am, however, going to get preachy on why you should consider eating vegan at Taco Bell. It is a short sermon so relax. If you forgo the meat and dairy, you will not be damned to an eternity on the toilet afterwards. You know exactly what I am referring to. Taco Bell’s infamous laxative effect repels many from the chain restaurant, but opting for beans over meat and going light on the sour cream and cheese can keep the rumblies at bay. With more fiber and a way to sneak in more veggies with guac and pico de gallo, it can end up being a bit healthier too. As healthy as fast food can be, that is. Here are my vegetarian favorites- I veganize them all by asking for them fresco style which omits cheese and dairy based sauces and replaces it with tomatoes.
Fiesta Veggie Burrito ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A burrito with rice, black beans, crunchy red tortilla strips, chipotle sauce, sour cream, three-cheese blend, tomatoes, and guacamole for $2
If there is anything you need to try from this article, it is this. At $2 from their Dollar Cravings Menu (so why is it $2?) it gets you the most bang for your buck. I order mine grilled, with jalapeños, and fresco style. Grilling your burritos should not be optional by the way. It adds a crisp texture and slows down the inevitable ingredient squish down to the bottom as you eat it. These are cheap, filling, comforting, and have a little kick from the jalapeños or chipotle sauce depending on how you order it.
Black Bean Chalupa Supreme ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A thick doughy ‘tortilla’ filled with black beans, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, and a three-cheese blend for $3.79
The lack of praise for their chalupas boggles my mind. For those who have never had a chalupa, it is similar to a taco but with a thicker bready wrap instead of a regular tortilla. A good order for when you need to sober up, but make sure you have a designated driver to take you! I order mine fresco style with guac.
Black Bean Cruchwrap Supreme ⭐⭐⭐
The iconic crunchwrap with a vegetarian makeover comes with black beans, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and of course the crunchy tostada for $3.79
Admittedly, not my favorite. It only tastes like a 5-star item when I add guac and jalapeños, but each of those cost extra, raising the price up to $5. It still stands out from their menu as an original idea from the franchise. The recently added black bean version also shows how committed Taco Bell is to reaching the vegetarian demographic.
Spicy Potato Soft Taco ⭐⭐⭐
A flour tortilla filled with seasoned potato bites, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and chipotle sauce for $1
Another item from the Dollar Cravings Menu. This one spices things up with fried diced potatoes. This was my go to add on for a few years until I became tired of it. It is simple. It is cheap. It is delicious. I order it fresco style with jalapeños, which must come as no surprise by now. I love jalapeños and I don’t care who knows. They add the heat back that I lost out on by leaving out the chipotle sauce.
Crunchy Taco ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A hard corn taco shell filled with refried beans, (it usually comes with beef, but ask to swap) lettuce, and cheese for $1.59
Speaking of cheap and simple, the Crunchy Taco speaks for itself so I will keep this short. Made up of basic ingredients, it pleases most. Especially me.
Bean Burrito ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A burrito with refried beans, cheddar cheese, onions, and red sauce for $1.69
As one of Taco Bell’s top five best sellers, the Bean Burrito remains loved by vegetarians and omnivores alike. The red sauce in this shines and I wish they utilized it more. I rotate what I add to it with potatoes, jalapeños, or rice. I feel the need to mention again that grilling your burritos is mandatory!
Don’t forget to get a bag of Cinnamon Twists too for $1!