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11 Best Del Taco Vegan Menu Items

For many people, Mexican cuisine is a favorite. We all have those moments when we crave a crunchy taco or a filling burrito. Popular restaurant Del Taco has plenty of delicious options, including vegan items so that those following plant-based diets can enjoy too!

del taco storefront

For vegans, it is not easy to find a Mexican restaurant offering vegan options. After all, traditional Mexican food is heavily dependent on various meats. On top of that, dairy is seen as a must in many cheese-topped meals.

Thankfully, California-based Del Taco has stepped up and introduced numerous items to their menu to cater to vegans and vegetarians alike.

In fact, Del Taco is rapidly becoming one of the most vegan-friendly fast-food chains in the United States.

Let’s look at some of the best Del Taco vegan options that we recommend for all the vegan foodies out here!

Beyond 8 Layer Burrito

As a vegan, you’re likely already aware of Beyond Meat. It’s full of nutrition, cruelty-free, and delicious!

Well, the Beyond 8 Layer Burrito incorporates Beyond Meat as its main ingredient.

Unfortunately, this option is only vegetarian and not vegan because it contains cheese and sour cream.

However, it can be made vegan if you request not to have either of those added.

For me, this was such a fulfilling burrito. Every bite came with a tanginess thanks to the zesty red sauce that balanced out perfectly with the rest of the ingredients. Highly recommended.


8 Layer Veggie Burrito

Next comes the 8 Layer Veggie Burrito. In the mood for a burrito but would rather have no plant-based meat?

Then this concoction is a great option to consider. It features creamy, slow-cooked beans, tomatoes, lettuce, guacamole, rice, and Del Taco’s famous vegan-friendly, red sauce.

Its only vice is that it tends to be a little smaller than an average burrito.

That said, I didn’t complain, and found it filling enough with a few sides. 


Signature Taco Salad

Del Taco’s Signature Taco Salad can be customized to exclude sour cream and cheese.

Without those ingredients, you have a perfectly appetizing vegan taco salad.

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You can ask the staff to replace the beef with the Beyond Meat crumbles or get it removed altogether. 

Even without, this salad is a perfect combination of guacamole, pico de gallo, seasoned black beans, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and cilantro. 

Safe to say, I loved their take on the taco salad. With a hint of lemon drizzled on top, the dish comes with the restaurant’s signature salad and some crunchy, homemade tortilla chips to add to the salad’s texture.

While I ordered as part of a large dinner, this salad is a decent size.


Avocado Veggie Bowl

Though this option comes with cheese, you can have it removed and get a fresh and completely vegan avocado veggie bowl.

With hand-sliced avocados tossed in along with seasoned, slow-cooked black beans and fresh romaine and iceberg lettuce, the contrasting textures in each bite are a true delight. 

The veggie bowl is topped with diced onions and tomatoes. I particularly enjoyed the generous drizzle of lemon.

All their bowls are served over a helping of lime-cilantro rice, a crucial part of a classic Mexican meal.


Beyond Fresh Avocado Burrito

Del Taco can be a real treat for vegans like me who can’t get enough of burritos.

The Beyond Fresh Avocado Burrito is one of the few options on the menu that are 100% vegan from the outset. 

Being able to enjoy a meal without having to customize felt like a breath of fresh air. And, the meal itself was worth having again (and again!).

Like the previous Beyond Burrito, it is packed with approximately 45 grams of Beyond Meat crumbles, seasoned black beans, diced avocados, salsa, pico de gallo, rice, and much more.

As you can imagine, this was on the filling side, so consider that when ordering.


Beyond Guacamole Taco

The Beyond Guacamole Taco is a new addition to the menu.

It’s another one of Del Taco’s 100% vegan options, one that I’m going to go back to whenever I have the chance.

The powerhouse of textures is a combination of Beyond Meat crumbles, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and a generous chunk of guacamole.

Best of all, you can order as a softshell or hard, depending on your mood! I opted for the softshell, but, judging by the flavors, I wouldn’t be surprised if the hard version is just as delicious.

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Crunchtada Tostada

Traditionally, a tostada is a deep-fried maize flour pancake, a staple in Mexican cuisine, topped with a mix of refried beans, meats, and vegetables.

Amongst the many Del Taco vegan options, there is the Crunchtada Tostada.

Although it is inherently vegetarian, if you tell the staff to keep their hands off the cheese, you can get to enjoy this yummy twist on a classic.

The crunchy, fried tostada features slow-cooked, refried beans, fresh lettuce, and deliciously juicy tomato salsa.

This one was my favorite out of all their menu items. It was simple yet full of flavor and personality, and set off fireworks in my mouth with every bite.


Chips & Guacamole or Pico de Gallo

If you don’t have the appetite for a full entrée, be that a burrito, a bowl, a salad, or tacos, you can always order a light snack.

Now, I have to admit I often struggle to choose from their variety of delicious options. But, if you’re looking for a traditional Mexican snack, then chips & fresh guac is the only one to consider.

Del Taco makes its own tortilla chips in-house and serves them alongside different options, which you can either order separately or together. 

I always add it to an order of fresh, in-house guacamole. Made from avocados, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, salt, pepper, and lime, I haven’t come across a better guac.

If it’s not to your liking, you can also order the pico de gallo. It’s a simpler non-pureed version of their salsa.

Whenever I’m at Del Taco for a quick bite, I usually order both and switch between them with each chip!


Crinkle Cut Fries

Who doesn’t love some nicely fried, crispy French fries? They are definitely a personal favorite for me, no matter which restaurant I go to, and Del Taco’s crinkle cut fries are no exception.

Their classic fries are cut in a unique and fun shape that makes them all more entertaining to eat.

My mother would always say that food should taste well, but it should also be presented well.

For a simple plate of fries, Del Taco puts a lot of effort into their presentation.

You can have them as a side to any dish or as a standalone to snack on. Either way, Del Taco’s crinkle cut fries are a perfect go-to.


Hash Brown Sticks

All of Del Taco’s food is fried in vegetable oil to prevent any cross-contamination for their vegetarian or vegan customers. 

Their hash brown sticks are no exception. One of their classic breakfast options, these vegan-friendly hash brown sticks are soft and creamy on the inside but golden-brown and crunchy on the outside.

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It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, these hash brown sticks are a comfort food of mine.

I’ve snacked on them as a side for lunch and as an extra at dinner.


Breakfast Burrito

For vegans craving a breakfast burrito from Del Taco, the fast-food chain is yet to introduce a vegan-friendly option.

However, vegetarians are in luck! Just order the regular breakfast burrito without any bacon or grilled carne asada, and you get a filling meal to start your day.

It comes with hash brown sticks with choices of hot or iced coffee, milk, or a small fountain drink.

You can get the breakfast burrito customized to include hash brown sticks, Beyond Meat crumbles, beans and lettuce instead, making it vegan!


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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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