Being vegan is great and we wouldn’t change it for the world, but when it’s Friday and someone suggests a take-out there’s a little part of us that wonders what’s going to be on the menu for us plant-based foodies. Some fast-food restaurants just haven’t caught up yet. However, the good news is that when it’s Mexican night you don’t have to miss out, as vegan Taco Bell is a thing and there are plenty of options to choose from. What’s more, it can be packed full of vegan protein.
You can swap out ingredients and customize your order as you please, meaning an endless amount of delicious combinations. The AVA (American Vegetarian Association) have even approved a fair amount of Taco Bell ingredients such as:
The carbs: taco shell, tostada shell, gordita flat bread, flour tortilla
Vegan Protein: refried Beans, black beans
The Toppings: guacamole, mild breakfast salsa, fire roasted salsa, jalapenos, cilantro, Pico Del Gallo, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, onions and tomatoes
The sides: seasoned rice, express nacho chips
The sauces: border sauce, diablo border sauce, fire border sauce, hot border sauce, green chile sauce, green tomatillo sauce, red sauce
Mains
Seven Layered Burrito
Let’s start with O.G of burritos. This mammoth entrée is already suitable for our vegetarian friends, but with a switch-up of ingredients it can be vegan friendly too. Swap cheese and sour cream for onion and red strips and you have yourself a Mexican feast in a wrap.
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 460 cal, 12 g fat (3 g sat), 74 g carbs, 5 g sugar, 900 mg sodium, 9 g fiber, 13 g protein
Crunch or Soft Tacos
Great news! You can fill your tacos to the brim with vegan Taco Bell goodness. For your dose of vegan protein, order a black bean filling and then load up with guacamole, salsa and all the shredded lettuce you desire.
What’s its digits?
Per taco: 160 cal, 4.5 g fat (.5 g sat), 24 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 240 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 5 g protein
Veggie Power Bowl
Some days you’re just not feeling the carbs and that’s okay because the Veggie Power Bowl is just as delicious! Hold the cheese, sour cream and avocado ranch sauce and go wild with some alternative toppings and you’ll have one enviable naked burrito.
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 370 cal, 10 g fat (1 g sat), 62 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 820 mg sodium, 13 g fiber, 10 g protein
Bean Burrito
Is there anything more mouth-watering than refried beans? Taco Bell’s version are a vegan protein dream and they taste unbelievable in a burrito. We recommend saying ‘no’ to the cheese and just adding some extra tomato or lettuce, because the star of this show is absolutely the refried beans.
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 350 cal, 9 g fat (2.5 g sat), 56 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 1010 mg sodium, 9 g fiber, 13 g protein
Crunchwrap Supreme
This Taco-Bell favourite comes in a vegan form! The beef, sour cream and cheese are out and the black beans are in and coupled with the lettuce and tomatoes that the original recipe includes, you’ll still get that crunchy-but-chewy texture.
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 460 cal, 12 g fat (3 g sat), 74 g carbs, 5 g sugar, 900 mg sodium, 9 g fiber, 13 g protein
Veggie Power Burrito
‘Veggie Power’ sounds like some kind of vegan super-power and we are so here for it. This burrito is packed full of black bean vegan protein and is totally vegan once you remove the cheese, sour cream and avocado ranch sauce.
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 320 cal, 10 g fat (2.5 g sat), 49 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 790 mg sodium, 9 g fiber, 10 g protein
Tostada
The open-faced sandwich of the Mexican food world, Taco Bell tostadas are great with refried beans spread over the crunchy surface, a sprinkling of lettuce and tomatoes and topped with a dollop of guacamole. Vegan heaven.
What’s its digits?
Per tostada: 150 cal, 5 g fat (1 g sat), 22 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 360 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 5 g protein
Mexican Pizza
A blend of the world’s two greatest things: pizza and Mexican food can be made vegan at Taco Bell. Get rid of the beef and cheese and opt for refried beans on the first layer. If you can’t go without cheese on your pizza then just add some of your favourite vegan cheese at home!
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 380 cal, 18 g fat (2 g sat), 45 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 480 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 9 g protein
Fiesta Taco Salad
A salad in a giant taco?! What a great idea. It can of course be made vegan by removing the meat, sour cream and cheese and adding black beans and guacamole.
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 550 cal, 24 g fat (2 g sat), 71 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 680 mg sodium, 9 g fiber, 12 g protein
Sides
Chips and Guacamole
Is there anything better than chip and dip? This vegan friendly side needs no amendments as it is already deliciously vegan!
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 230 cal, 14 g fat (1.5 g sat), 23 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 310 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 3 g protein
Black Beans and Rice
So simple, yet so good. This vegan protein-packed side/snack is a perfect addition to your Taco-Bell take out.
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 190 cal, 4 g fat (0 g sat), 35 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 390 mg sodium, 6 g fiber, 5 g protein
Dessert
Cinnamon Twists
That’s right, you can have dessert too! Taco Bell cinnamon twists are meat, dairy and egg free and are a pretty sweet way to end your meal.
What’s its digits?
Per serving: 170 cal, 6 g fat (0 g sat), 27 g carbs, 13 g sugar, 210 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 1 g protein
