Ordering ‘Fresco Style’ at Taco Bell is one of the easiest ways to order vegan (and vegetarian) at one of the most popular Fast Food destinations in the US. If you are vegan (or vegetarian) and you’re not utilizing Fresco Style then you are absolutely missing out.
In this article, I’m going to explain exactly what is Fresco Style and I’ll also give you some examples of how to use it when ordering specific Taco Bell menu items.
First things first – what is Fresco Style at Taco Bell?
Ordering Fresco Style at Taco Bell
Ordering an item Fresco Style at Taco Bell replaces mayo-based sauces, cheeses and sour cream with freshly prepared diced tomatoes. Be aware, that while it automatically removes these dairy items, if guacamole was included then it will also be removed.
Taco Bell actually promotes Fresco Style as a way to cut calories. Obviously, it does. By removing fatty high-calorie products and replacing them with diced tomatoes will certainly lower calories. More importantly though for vegans is that it works as an extremely effective vegan hack.
With the menu items that automatically come with guacamole and you want to keep it, we suggest you order these by asking for NO cheese, sour cream, etc. rather than saying, “Fresco Style.” Our Taco Bell Vegan Guide lists each menu item that can be modified and states exactly how to do that.
What Items Can Be Ordered Fresco Style?
Now that you’ve been armed with this amazing vegan hack at Taco Bell, let’s discuss what menu items you can aim your newly found knowledge at.
Black Bean (Soft or Crunchy) Taco
Ordering Fresco Style will remove the cheese and add diced tomatoes. You’ll then have tacos with black beans, lettuce and diced tomatoes.
Refried Bean (Soft or Crunchy) Taco
Ordering Fresco Style will remove the cheese and add diced tomatoes. You’ll then have tacos with refried beans, lettuce and diced tomatoes.
Bean Burrito
Ordering Fresco Style will remove the cheese and add diced tomatoes. You’ll then have burritos with refried beans, onions, red sauce and diced tomatoes.
For what it’s worth, this is one of my (Ryan) all-time favorite fast food vegan items. I will also add seasoned rice and potatoes (extra cost but totally worth it) to my Bean Burritos as well. So good.
Veggie Burrito Supreme
Ordering Fresco Style will remove the cheese and sour cream. You’ll then have a burrito that comes with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and red sauce.
Cheesy Bean & Rice Burrito
Ordering Fresco Style will remove the nacho cheese sauce and creamy jalapeno sauce. You’ll then have a burrito that comes with refried beans, seasoned rice and diced tomatoes.
Black Bean Chalupa
Ordering Fresco Style will remove the cheese and sour cream. Your chalupa will then come with black beans, lettuce and tomatoes. This is Jen’s favorite!
Did Taco Bell Get Rid of Fresco Style?
We’ve received reports from some of our readers that Fresco Style is no longer available at their locations.
We’ve not spoken with Taco Bell directly on this issue, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
Taco Bell still promotes ordering Fresco Style on their website
if you look for how to order fewer calories. If they still have it on their site, then one would assume it’s still safe for now. They even specifically addressed the issue in a statement when they made a pretty big menu overhaul back in 2020.
Personally, we’ve yet to run into an issue ordering Fresco Style at a Taco Bell. This includes our local Taco Bell and probably at least half of the Taco Bells between Georgia and Ohio (it’s our go-to road trip stop).
If you want to be pessimistic there could be the possibility that the new Veggie Mode that Taco Bell is heavily pushing on it’s app and in-store kiosks could end up replacing Fresco Style. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how that plays itself out.
If you run into a location that is not utilizing Fresco Style, our Taco Bell Vegan Guide lists every menu item that can be modified; telling you exactly how to order it vegan.
Final Thoughts
Taco Bell is one of the most vegan-friendly fast food chains in the US. With tons of menu item combinations to choose from, you shouldn’t have much trouble putting together a delicious order.
On top of that, many of their menu items are even certified vegan and vegetarian by the American Vegetarian Association. There’s no doubt Taco Bell is way ahead of the pack when it comes to plant-based menu options.
Now that you’re a Fresco Style ordering guru – what are you waiting for?!? Head over to Taco Bell and grab some lunch!
Featured Image Photo Credit: JJava Designs / shutterstock.com
