Vegetarian Taco Bell Menu Items Ranked
Fast food restaurants have come a long way in recent years in terms of expanding the menus to cater to vegetarian and vegan customers. While Burger King rolled out what is likely the first vegetarian fast food menu in 2002 with the release of its BK Veggie Burger, most other chains took more than a decade to follow (via Portable Press).
Taco Bell is the latest chain to hop on the veggie bandwagon. In September 2019, it rolled out its vegetarian menu board in stores (via USA Today). The new feature allowed customers to search for vegetarian-friendly menu items using in-store digital kiosks. The new menu board highlighted some existing vegetarian menu items, like the bean burrito, which has been available in Taco Bell restaurants for decades, as well as a couple of new menu items.
At the same time that the chain was unveiling its new menu board, it also began production of a new meat alternative (via Forbes). Taco Bell's soy and pea protein "beef" is available in select locations in the Southern states right now. Whether you've had a chance to try it or not, though, you can try other vegetarian items at any location. If you're looking for vegetarian food at Taco Bell, you might want to figure out which vegetarian items are the best prior to ordering.
12. Cheese Roll Up
If you thought that the Cheese Quesadilla was basic, you won't want to order this menu item. The Cheese Roll Up is the most basic and boring of not just any vegetarian items at Taco Bell, and it leaves a lot to be desired (via Taco Bell).
As the name suggests, this menu item is simply a flour tortilla filled with Taco Bell's shredded three-cheese blend. This menu item is likely to be a hit with kids. But more often than not, the ratio of melted cheese to flour tortilla leaves this item dry and pretty plain.
Like with the Cheese Quesadilla, there are a few ingredients that you can add to your Cheese Roll Up, like potatoes or a side of sauce. But adding potatoes will turn your $1 Cravings Value Menu item into a $1.80 creation. Or, you could simply order the Spicy Potato Soft Taco, which also comes with chipotle sauce and lettuce. For $1, there are plenty of other tastier, more filling options to choose from, whether you're eating vegetarian at the chain or not.
11. Cheese Quesadilla
The Cheese Quesadilla, as one of the few options you can go with if you want a meat-free meal at Taco Bell, leaves a lot to be desired (via Taco Bell). The quesadilla starts with a large flour tortilla shell, topped with a three-cheese blend of cheddar cheese and creamy jalapeno sauce. The creation is folded over and grilled to make a melty mix.
If you're looking for a cheesy late-night snack, the Cheese Quesadilla might be a good option. But the messy mix is far from filling, and it's definitely not the best vegetarian-friendly option on the menu. However, you do have the option of dressing it up by using Taco Bell's app or its online ordering option.
You can add refried or black beans, lettuce, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and rice, as well as a variety of other sauces. This can help make the quesadilla more filling and tastier. We recommend adding sides of sour cream and guacamole for dipping your slices of quesadilla, too!
It won't be long before Taco Bell will have an entirely different ingredient option that you'll likely be able to add to quesadillas. Taco Bell recently partnered with Beyond Meat to produce its new Beyond Carne Asada Steak, which is currently being tested in select markets (via Beyond Meat).
10. Cinnamon Twists
Taco Bell's other dessert option is the classic Cinnamon Twist. A small, individual-sized portion of this sweet dessert is just $1 on the Cravings Value Menu, making it a great choice if you want a treat on a budget. But you'll need to love cinnamon to enjoy this ultra-simple desert.
Unlike the chain's Cinnabon Delights, the Cinnamon Twists are a vegan-friendly option. In fact, the list of ingredients is so simple that it might just shock you: unless, of course, you've spent any time on TikTok. The secret of how these classic fast-food deserts are made landed on a few viral TikToks, and word quickly spread.
Cinnamon Twists are noodle-like creations that look similar to rotini and are deep-fried until they puff up and then sprinkled in cinnamon sugar (via Delish). The "noodles" are made from a mix of yellow corn meal, rice flour, wheat flour, and salt (via Taco Bell).
These crunchy snacks can be addictive. But besides the satisfying crunch, they don't have a lot to offer in terms of flavor.
9. Cinnabon Delights
Dining at Taco Bell as a vegetarian doesn't have to mean skipping dessert. The chain actually has a couple of dessert options, both of which are meat-free. Taco Bell has been teaming up with popular shopping mall chain Cinnabon since 2013 (via Daily News). This combination created sugary sweet, bite-sized treats called Cinnabon Delights.
These deserts feature a donut-like shell filled with creamy Cinnabon frosting that is rolled in cinnamon sugar (via Taco Bell). A regular order comes with two bites for $1.89. You can also get a twelve-pack that's perfect for sharing for $6.19. These sweet bites are a good option if you want dessert on the go. But if you don't like your desserts overly sweet, this isn't a great option for you. Taco Bell customers in Los Angeles and New York got a sweet surprise earlier this year when Taco Bell and Milk Bar teamed up to create a new version of the Cinnabon Delights.
These Strawberry Bell Truffles looked a little like the classic Cinnabon Delights but featured a core of semi-soft sweet corn fudge, covered in strawberry milk-soaked vanilla cake, and dusted with sweet and salty strawberry and sweet corn cake coating and bits of Crunchy Taco Bell shells (via The Street). While they were available for a limited time at select locations, they may be launched nationwide in the future.
8. Black Beans and Rice
Fast food and healthy side dishes rarely go hand in hand. But this is one area where Taco Bell actually shines. Its Black Beans and Rice bowl is a great vegetarian option but also a solid side dish option for omnivores, too (via Taco Bell). This simple dish features a scoop of the chain's seasoned rice, topped with a scoop of black beans.
Don't expect to get full with this simple side; it's a pretty small order. But at just $1.89, it's a good way to turn a few items into a filling meal. If you're looking for something with fewer calories or carbs, you can also order a side of Black Beans on their own (via Taco Bell).
This option is $1.99, with just 50 calories and 7 grams of carbohydrates, compared to 160 calories and 25 grams of carbohydrates in the rice and black bean option. Both options are also good options for vegan diners. However, the price and size of this dish certainly aren't the best value on the menu.
7. Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Potatoes in a taco aren't exactly common, but Taco Bell certainly didn't invent this trend. Many taco restaurants have been adding this unique ingredient in recent years (via Eat This, Not That). For those following a plant-based diet, they can be a great, nutrient-dense ingredient with 5 grams of fiber per serving and a healthy dose of carbohydrates and potassium.
Taco Bell jumped on the bandwagon in March 2021 (via Taco Bell). The new Potato Bites are both vegetarian and vegan-friendly, certified by the American Vegetarian Association (AVA). The Spicy Potato Soft Taco landed on the menu around the same time.
It features a soft flour tortilla topped with spicy Potato Bites, Chipotle sauce, shredded cheese, and lettuce (via Taco Bell). While the potatoes help make this menu option pretty filling for just $1, it can be a bit dry, even with the addition of the chipotle sauce.
While soft tacos might be second to Taco Bell's crunchy corn tortillas, the chain doesn't offer a crunchy version of this taco. But if you ask at your local Taco Bell, the employees may be able to make the swap for you.
6. Fiesta Veggie Burrito
If you're looking for a little more flavor and have an extra $1 to spend, this next vegetarian Cravings Value Menu item is another good option (via Taco Bell). Instead of refried beans, this newer menu item features black beans and rice as a base. Then, it's layered with chipotle sauce, sour cream, tomatoes, guacamole, and a three-cheese blend, along with the crowning ingredient, Fiesta Strips.
These bright red crunchy pieces are actually just regular tortilla chips cut into small strips. But they add a nice crunch to this burrito (via Taco Bell Fandom). The Fiesta Veggie Burrito is on the Cravings Value Menu, but it will set you back $2. It's similar in size to the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito. So, if you're looking to fill up for less, this might not be the best choice. But it's still a pretty good deal for a tasty fast-food burrito.
5. Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito
In 2018, Taco Bell's popular Dollar Cravings Menu disappeared and was replaced by a newly revamped Cravings Value Menu (via Insider). Instead of items priced at $1 apiece, the new menu featured items priced at both $1 and $2, as well as $5 Cravings Boxes that combined multiple items.
The new Cravings Value Menu features multiple vegetarian-friendly items (via Taco Bell). But when it comes to maximizing taste and value, the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito takes the cake. This cheap Taco Bell staple has actually been around much longer than the new Cravings Menu or the new vegetarian menu, appearing on Taco Bell menus as early as 2003 (via YouTube). Just $1 will get you a soft flour tortilla filled with refried beans, nacho cheese sauce, creamy jalapeno sauce, and seasoned rice (via Taco Bell).
While the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito is nowhere near the size of a burrito from Chipotle, it is at least double the size of a regular taco. The size, as well as the beans and rice, make this a pretty filling staple that definitely won't break the bank.
4. Power Menu Bowl-Veggie
Taco Bell isn't exactly known for its healthy fast-food options. The chain's popular Mtn Dew Baja Blast Freeze boasts a whopping 51 grams of sugar (via Taco Bell ). Taco Bell's Quesarito has been touted as the worst menu item according to dieticians. The cheesy creation boasts 650 calories and 33 grams of fat, as well as 1,420 mg of sodium (via Taco Bell).
But the chain has been quietly revamping its menu's nutrition over the past decade. Taco Bell even has a Global Nutrition and Sustainability department, which has been working towards a goal of lowering the amount of sodium in the brand's food by 25 percent by 2025 (via Skift).
One big win for those looking for a healthier option is the Power Menu Bowl. Similar to a burrito bowl at Chipotle, this bowl has a base of rice and black beans that are then topped with your choice of protein, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, avocado ranch sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes (via Taco Bell). The vegetarian version skips the protein.
While this might be healthier than a burrito or Quesarito, the addition of sour cream and avocado ranch sauce call the healthiness of this dish into question. And at more than $6 for the veggie version (and at a fraction of the size), the dish is only slightly less expensive than a vegetarian bowl at Chipotle. However, if you're looking for a quick, healthier option, this is a solid choice.
3. Black Bean Quesarito
Like most fast food chains, Taco Bell is well-known for introducing and then rapidly discontinuing new menu items. Take the popular Mexican Pizza, for instance, which enjoyed over three decades of popularity before being discontinued in 2021, only to be brought back again earlier this year (via Fox29). The Taco Bell Quesarito is another such item (via Taco Bell).
The Quesarito combines two popular items; a quesadilla and a burrito. The regular Quesarito is a mix of seasoned beef, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, seasoned rice, and chipotle sauce, all wrapped up in a melty cheese quesadilla. The original Quesarito hit the menu in 2014 (via Los Angeles Times). A vegetarian version joined it in 2019 with the Black Bean Quesarito. It swaps the seasoned beef for black beans but otherwise follows the same recipe (via Taco Bell).
Both Quesaritos were discontinued in 2020: kind of (via People). While they're no longer on the regular in-store menus, you can still order the item on the app or online. The move was reportedly made to help ensure that orders could be made and served quickly.
2. Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme
The famous Crunchwrap Supreme has long been one of the most popular Taco Bell items on the menu at Taco Bell. But this crunchy creation's main ingredient was the chain's signature seasoned beef. This meant that vegetarians and vegans craving a crunch would be left with nothing but lettuce, tomatoes, and perhaps cheese in a grilled shell, that is, until the arrival of the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme arrived.
This popular vegetarian menu item swaps the seasoned beef for black beans (via Taco Bell). A generous layer of black beans and nacho cheese fills the bottom of a soft tortilla shell. Next comes a crunchy, which not only adds the signature crunch but also helps to keep the other ingredients from getting soggy. The top half is a layer of lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. The whole thing is then folded into the perfect pocket and grilled to perfection.
You can take your Crunchwrap to the next level by adding guacamole or jalapeno poppers to the mix for an extra charge. However, you can make this taco vegan by ordering it fresco style, as the creators will remove animal products, including cheese. However, keep in mind that Taco Bell states that "cross contact" can occur, which means that your food could come in contact with meat or dairy ingredients.
1. Black Bean Chalupa Supreme
If you think that Taco Bell's vegetarian menu items are only for those looking to avoid the chain's classic seasoned beef, then think again! This menu item is anything but a compromise. The Black Bean Chalupa Supreme looks and tastes more like something you might find on the menu at a trendy taco truck rather than a fast-food item (via Taco Bell). Just like the classic Taco Bell Chalupa, the veggie version starts with a light, pillowy shell. From there, it's topped with a generous layer of black beans, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, and shredded cheese.
From time to time, Taco Bell takes its Chalupas to the next level by releasing limited-time Toasted Cheddar Chalupas. These feature the same shells and ingredients but with a layer of 6-month-aged cheddar toasted on the outside of the shell (via Taco Bell). The vegetarian version of the upgraded Chalupa returned in 2022 after its former debut (via Chew Boom).
The Black Bean Chalupa will usually set you back around $3.89, making it one of the pricier vegetarian items on the menu. In 2021, it was a part of a limited-time Chalupa Cravings Box, which cost just 5 bucks and came with one Black Bean Chalupa Supreme, a Veggie Burrito Supreme, a Black Bean Soft Taco, Cinnamon Twists, and a medium soft drink (via Chew Boom). Hopefully, this tasty meal deal will make its way back into Taco Bell locations nationwide again in the future!