Taco Bell’s first-ever vegan-specific menu item, Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce, has gone national beginning today!
This is exciting.
As big fans of Taco Bell, we have looked forward to the day a menu item would be added with the actual word vegan in it. Feels like some movement forward.
What’s interesting is… we have had a Vegan Guide for Taco Bell
since we began VeggL and have known that many of their items are technically certified vegan. Taco Bell chooses not to call them that because they are just real food ingredients that happen to not have any animal in them.
But first, let’s talk Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce at Taco Bell.
We technically already tried it back in June during their Vegan Crunchwrap test. I’ll be honest. I had really hoped the Vegan Crunchwrap, in its entirety, was what this announcement was going to be. But that’s okay because getting to taste it again on its own is a good idea.
When we had it, there was a tortilla, taco shell, vegan seasoned beef, vegan nacho cheese sauce, vegan blanco sauce, tomatoes and lettuce. While the entire thing was incredible (you can see my review here), it was a mash of ingredients.
With this Vegan Cheese Sauce nationwide roll-out, we all have some questions we need to get answered:
Is Taco Bell’s Vegan Cheese Sauce Permanent?
No. Taco Bell is testing their Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce in ALL Taco Bell locations beginning October 12 through October 19, 2023.
Our understanding is the test is for a limited time and while supplies last.
What Are the Ingredients in Taco Bell’s Vegan Cheese Sauce?
According to Taco Bell’s ingredients page, the ingredients in the Vegan Cheese Sauce are:
Water, modified food starch, soybean oil, contains 2% or less of: chickpea protein, maltodextrin, modified tapioca starch, sea salt, dipotassium phosphate, jalapeno peppers, distilled vinegar, salt, natural flavors, yeast extract, lactic acid, cellulose gum, sodium stearoyl lactylate, potassium citrate, color added (beta-apo-carotenal, beta-carotene), disodium inosinate and guanylate, potassium salt. [certified vegan]
With the Nacho Fries being the Vegan Cheese Sauce’s counterpart, during this test, here are their ingredients:
Fries: Potatoes, vegetable oil (canola, soybean, sunflower, palm and/or cottonseed), enriched flour contains 2% or less of: cornstarch, salt, sugar, rice flour, leavening, modified corn and food starch, dextrin, dextrose, cellulose gum, guar gum, disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate (maintains color). Prepared in canola oil. Seasoning: Maltodextrin, garlic, paprika, sugar, onion, salt, paprika extract (VC), citric acid, disodium guanylate & inosinate, spices, aged cayenne red peppers, vinegar, natural flavors. Contains: Wheat [certified vegan]
Did you notice the certified vegan notation at the end of each ingredient list? This is just one reason we’re fans of Taco Bell. They are very clear with their ingredients.
But always be aware that when choosing to eat at a restaurant that is not 100% vegan, you do risk possible cross-contamination. You choose your level of comfort when eating at these types of restaurants. Taco Bell is one of them.
Can I Order the Vegan Cheese Sauce on Other Menu Items?
When ordering my Nacho Fries with Vegan Cheese Sauce today, I was told you can only order it as they have on the menu, with the Nacho Fries. Since then, I learned that you can order the cheese cup as a side AND Chips with the Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce are on the menu.
An additional side note is that you can start ordering the fries and vegan cheese sauce after 9 a.m. when they start selling lunch. Again, this is what our location told me.
Taco Bell’s Vegan Cheese Sauce Review
On to the main event, what did I think of Taco Bell’s Vegan Cheese Sauce.
At first glance, it just looks like the cheese sauce we’re all used to. It has an orange/yellow color. And while it’s been over 10 years since I’ve had an animal-based cheese sauce, the smell is just like it.
The sauce has a nice gooey thick texture–holds great onto the fry when dipping.
The taste on the front end is slightly sweet. We tend to notice this with vegan cheese but through the middle to the end develops a nacho spice taste. Not spicy hot but the flavors really come through.
On it’s own, I enjoy it.
With the fries, it’s really good!
I will mention that when you eat it with the fries, the sweetness on the front end of the cheese comes through more initially. That may be because the seasoning on the fries is stronger. It balances itself out though.
My review after the fries and cheese are cold though is not as good–but with most food that is to be expected. My suggestion is to eat it all when it’s warm or to warm them back up if this happens.
What Other Vegan Options Are Available at Taco Bell?
You’re going through the line to get your Nacho Fries with Vegan Cheese Sauce and you need to round out your meal. Let me help you out with some suggestions!
- Bean Burrito Fresco Style. This is Jen’s pick with Mild Sauce.
- Bean Burrito Fresco Style. Add potatoes and Rice. This is Ryan’s pick with Fire Sauce.
- Black Bean Chalupa Fresco Style with a couple of sauce packets. It’s a bit dry if no sauce is added.
- Veggie Mexican Pizza. Order with NO cheese.
- Cinnamon Twists 🙂
Always an order of Cinnamon Twists. The best vegan dessert of any fast food restaurant (we think).
You can see our complete Vegan Guide for Taco Bell if you want to see every option you have.
In Conclusion…
I hope the test with Taco Bell’s Vegan Cheese Sauce goes really well and the result is getting a permanent addition to the menu. My taste buds get excited thinking of all the menu items we can add this sauce to.
