Your usual Taco Bell order can be better. You don’t need a secret password to get it.
Taco Bell describes these swaps itself. They’re in the app, at the kiosk and on the menu board.
Below are 7 customizations, in order. Each one covers what it is, why it’s worth knowing and one thing to watch.
Number 4 surprises most readers. It changes more of your taco than the name suggests.
1. Swap the Meat for Black Beans
On many items, you can trade the seasoned beef or chicken for black beans. Taco Bell’s own ordering guide lists this as a standard swap.
It opens most of the menu to a plant-based order. Tacos, burritos and bowls take the change on most eligible items.
Why beans are worth a look
In any kitchen, black beans bring plant protein and fiber to the plate. That’s why so many families keep a pot simmering on the back burner.
Taco Bell has served beans since its start in 1962. They’re one of the oldest parts of the menu.
How to find it
The swap sits inside the item, not on the main screen. Here’s the path in the app:
- Open the item and tap “Customize.”
- Look in the protein section for black beans.
- Check the price line before you confirm.
One caution: not every item is eligible. If black beans don’t appear under the protein options, that item doesn’t take the swap.
2. Ask for Refried Beans Instead of Meat
Refried beans are the second bean option. The chain’s guide names them as another substitution where offered.
They’re creamier than black beans. On a soft taco or a burrito, they hold everything together and keep the tortilla from feeling dry.
A classic the kitchen knows well
The Bean Burrito has been on the menu since the 1960s. Asking for refried beans in place of meat is an everyday request for the team.
At home, refried beans are cooked beans, mashed and warmed in a pan. When you buy a can at the supermarket, read the sodium line on the label.
Why it’s worth trying
Refried beans turn a crunchy taco into something softer and warmer. Many people find them easier to eat than chopped meat.
They also pair well with the next items on this list. Beans plus Fresco is a popular combination.
One caution: the swap changes the price on some items, up or down. Your total shows before you pay, so take a second look.
3. Choose Potatoes as the Protein
Potatoes are the third substitution in Taco Bell’s guide. They’re available where the restaurant carries them.
They’re seasoned, crispy bites that stand in for meat. In a burrito, they feel like breakfast at any hour of the day.
They came back for a reason
Potatoes left the menu in 2020. They returned in 2021 after loud requests from customers.
That tells you how many people count on them. For a lot of regulars, a potato burrito is the whole reason for the trip.
A kitchen idea from the same swap
The same idea works at home on a Sunday morning. Dice potatoes, crisp them in a hot pan, season them and fold them into a warm tortilla.
Grandchildren tend to love this one. Set out toppings in small bowls and let everyone build their own.
One caution: crispy potatoes eat richer than beans. If you’re watching salt, pair them with lettuce and tomato and go easy on extra sauces.
You may also like: Love Bananas? 10 Eye‑Opening Facts to Know Today (Number 6 Is Especially Important)
4. Make It Fresco (the One That Surprises Most People)
This is the swap that changes the most. Make It Fresco is a one-tap option on many items, including the classic soft taco.
Most people think it adds something. In fact, it also takes a few things away.
What Fresco does today
On the current official soft-taco menu, Fresco style removes the cheese and creamy sauces. Diced tomatoes go on in their place.
That’s the part that surprises people. Many remember an older version of Fresco with a different topping, and those descriptions still float around.
Trust the app over your memory. The current menu shows exactly what Fresco changes on each item, and it’s the version the kitchen follows today.
What stays on your taco
Fresco keeps the tortilla, the protein and the lettuce. Your taco still looks like your taco.
The difference is in the taste. It comes out brighter and juicier, with tomato where the cheese used to be.
Why people choose it
Many people order Fresco because they skip dairy. Others simply prefer a fresher, lighter bite on a warm afternoon.
It’s also popular with people who find creamy sauces too heavy. Tomatoes give moisture without the richness.
How to order it
Fresco is easy to find once you know where to look. Here’s what to do:
- In the app, open the item and tap “Customize.”
- Find “Make It Fresco” near the top of the options.
- Review the item card to see what came off.
- Add back anything you miss, like a sauce you love.
At the drive-thru, just say “Fresco style” after the item name. Two words are enough.
Building on it
Fresco pairs well with the swaps above. Black beans, Fresco style, is a favorite order for plant-based eaters.
Potatoes, Fresco style, is another good one. The tomatoes cut the richness of the crispy bites.
One caution: Fresco is not an allergy guarantee. The kitchen is shared, so if you have a dairy allergy, tell the team and read the allergen information in the app.
5. Ask for No Lettuce
This one is simple and real. Taco Bell features a no-lettuce request in an official customer creation on its soft-taco page.
So it’s a request the team fully expects. Nobody will blink at it.
Why people skip it
Some people just don’t care for lettuce. Others order for the drive home.
A 15-minute ride in a warm bag is enough to soften shredded lettuce. Without it, your taco travels better.
What to add instead
Removing lettuce removes crunch. A few swaps bring texture back without much fuss.
Diced tomatoes give freshness. Jalapeños, coming up in Number 7, give bite.
One caution: taking an ingredient off rarely lowers the price. You’re paying for the taco, not each topping, so don’t expect a discount.
6. Add Guacamole
Guacamole is one of the most popular add-ons. The official soft-taco menu shows it as a paid upgrade.
It adds creaminess and a mild, buttery flavor. On a bean taco, it makes the whole thing feel more filling.
Why it’s worth the upgrade
If you’ve ordered Fresco and miss the creaminess of cheese, guacamole fills that gap. It’s a natural partner for Number 4.
Avocados in general bring healthy fats and fiber to any plate. That’s why they show up in so many home kitchens now.
A kitchen tip for home
At the supermarket, choose avocados that are firm and dark green. They ripen on the counter in about 4 to 5 days.
To slow them down, move ripe ones to the fridge. A paper bag speeds them up if you need them sooner.
One caution: paid add-ons stack up fast. Add guacamole to three tacos and the total jumps, so check the receipt before you confirm.
7. Add Jalapeño Peppers
Jalapeños are the last add-on on this list. The official menu notes that customization availability and prices vary by restaurant.
They bring heat and a bright, sharp bite. Many people use them in place of a hot sauce packet.
How hot they are
Jalapeños rate about 2,500 to 8,000 on the Scoville heat scale. That’s a medium heat for most adults.
A few slices wake up a bean taco. They’re especially good with refried beans and potatoes.
Checking your store
Since availability varies, a quick check saves a wasted trip. The app helps here:
- Set your nearest restaurant as your store.
- Open the item and look for jalapeños under add-ons.
- Note the add-on price, since it differs by location.
At home, wash your hands after slicing fresh jalapeños. Keep your fingers away from your eyes until you do.
One caution: spicy food bothers some stomachs. If heat gives you trouble, start with a light amount and see how it sits.
When to talk to your doctor
Fast food fits into many diets, but some conditions call for a closer look. Your doctor or a dietitian knows your health best.
Talk with them if you follow a low-sodium plan for blood pressure, heart or kidney disease. Restaurant meals often carry more salt than home cooking.
The same goes for diabetes, food allergies or frequent heartburn. Bring the nutrition details from the app to your next visit.
Keep taking your medicines as prescribed. Menu choices are something to discuss with your care team, not a reason to change your treatment.
Your Next Order
Now you know what the team itself puts on the menu. Beans, potatoes, Fresco, no lettuce, guacamole and jalapeños are all yours to mix.
Try one new swap on your next visit. Bring the grandchildren and let each person build a taco their own way.
Keep reading:
- The Tiny Seed People Overlook! Liver, Blood Sugar, Kidneys, Intestines, Heart & Bones — Why Pumpkin Seeds Deserve a Place in Your Daily Routine
- Forget Mouthwash — This Ancient Oil Can Help Reduce Gum Bacteria and Freshen Your Mouth
After switching up your Taco Bell order, explore a few simple self-care reads on toenail care after 65, gentle belly button habits, and what to know before trying castor oil on thinning brows.
