UPDATE: Taco Bell Tests More Plant-Based Meat with No Upcharge

UPDATE: Taco Bell Tests More Plant-Based Meat with No Upcharge

  • Kimberly Johnson
  • Kimberly Johnson

Update: Taco Bell just announced that starting October 13, the chain will offer Beyond carne asada steak at over 50 restaurants in Dayton, Ohio. This test run is in addition to the fast-food chain’s trial of its proprietary plant-based beef, which is on menus in Birmingham, Alabama.

Like the vegan beef in Birmingham, Beyond carne asada steak can be added to any menu item at no additional cost! Keep scrolling to see what other plant-based offerings Taco Bell has on its menu. 

Originally posted August 18, 2022

Taco Bell has announced that the restaurant chain is now testing plant-based meat that can be added to any menu item in place of beef at no additional charge.

According to reports, the proprietary blend of ground soy and pea protein has been in the works since 2019 and is now available for a trial run at over 50 locations in Birmingham, Alabama. Birmingham is thought to be a better representation of the general population than more vegan-friendly markets on the West and East Coasts. 

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“It was important not to have an upcharge,” said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s chief innovation officer, in an interview with Forbes. “As a brand, we want to make sure this is craveable—as craveable as our seasoned beef—and to democratize the product. We wanted to make sure this was accessible.” 

If all goes well with the test in Birmingham, we could see the vegan beef pop up on menus in more locations. Matthews also told Forbes that Taco Bell plans to test a different plant-based meat created by Beyond Meat sometime this year, although the two plant-based products aren’t related. 

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Vegan Options at Taco Bell

Don’t live near Birmingham? You can still eat vegan at Taco Bell. Here are some tips to make ordering easy:

  • The chain’s rice, tortillas, pinto beans, and black beans are all free of animal-derived ingredients.
  • Customers can use the Taco Bell app’s “veggie cravings” option and then customize the menu items to leave out sour cream, cheese, and creamy chipotle sauce. 
  • Order any menu item “fresco-style” to veganize it! This will automatically replace the dairy products with pico de gallo. 
  • Substitute beans for beef in crunchy tacos and crunchwraps, and add guacamole or potatoes for even more flavor. (Note: Taco Bell’s potatoes, cinnamon twists, and fries are vegan, but they are cooked in a fryer shared with non-vegan items.)

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Encourage Access to Vegan Options

Want more restaurant chains to follow in the footsteps of chains like Burger King, Carl’s Jr., and now Taco Bell? Fill out our form to urge Sbarro, Red Lobster, Wingstop, and many other restaurants to add vegan options to their menus!

Join us in demanding delicious, hearty plant-based options.