Is Taco Bell Beef Real? What’s Really in the Seasoned Beef
Yes, Taco Bell beef is real beef. The company says it uses 100% premium beef. What comes out in your taco is “seasoned beef,” which is that beef cooked with spices, salt and a few other ingredients that help with taste and texture.
Taco Bell has said the filling is about 88% beef and 12% seasoning and other ingredients. So it is not pure beef, but it is not fake meat either.
What is in Taco Bell’s seasoned beef?
Taco Bell lists its ingredients on its website. Besides beef, the seasoned beef includes things like:
- Water, to keep the meat moist
- Spices such as chili pepper, cumin, paprika and onion and garlic powder
- Salt
- Oats, which help hold in moisture
- Small amounts of starch, sugar and other ingredients for texture and flavor
Many home taco seasonings use similar spices. The extra binders help the meat stay the same in thousands of restaurants all day long.
Where did the “fake beef” rumor come from?
In January 2011, an Alabama law firm sued Taco Bell. The lawsuit claimed the filling was only about 35% meat and should not be called beef. The story spread fast on TV and online.
Taco Bell pushed back hard. It ran ads in newspapers and on TV saying the filling was 88% beef. A few months later, in April 2011, the lawsuit was dropped. Taco Bell then ran more ads asking the law firm to say sorry. Still, many people only remember the first headline, so the rumor never fully went away.
Quick facts at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is it real beef? | Yes, the company says 100% premium beef |
| How much of the filling is beef? | About 88%, according to Taco Bell |
| What else is in it? | Water, spices, salt, oats and a few other ingredients |
| What about the lawsuit? | Filed in 2011, dropped a few months later |
Is Taco Bell beef healthy?
It is fast food, so it is best as a treat. A Crunchy Taco has about 170 calories and costs about $2.19 in many places, which is pretty light for fast food. The bigger items like burritos and nachos add cheese, sauces and sour cream, so calories go up fast.
If you want fewer calories, try ordering items “fresco style,” which swaps cheese and creamy sauces for diced tomatoes.
Can I skip the beef?
Yes. Taco Bell is one of the easiest fast food places for people who do not eat meat. You can swap beef for beans in almost any item, and the chain has a large vegetarian menu.
Why is Taco Bell so cheap if the beef is real?
Taco Bell buys huge amounts of beef, uses simple ingredients like tortillas, beans and rice, and keeps the menu built around a few basic items mixed in different ways. That keeps costs low. Read more in why is Taco Bell so cheap, or learn who owns Taco Bell.
For every taco, burrito and Cravings deal, see our Taco Bell menu with prices. You can also compare with the Del Taco menu and the Chipotle menu.
Frequently asked questions
Is Taco Bell beef real?
Yes. Taco Bell says it uses 100% premium beef. The seasoned beef in your taco is that beef mixed with spices, water, oats and a few other ingredients.
What percent of Taco Bell beef is meat?
Taco Bell has said its seasoned beef filling is about 88% beef and 12% seasoning and other ingredients.
Why are there oats in Taco Bell beef?
Oats help the beef hold moisture and keep the same texture from store to store.
Was Taco Bell sued over its beef?
Yes. An Alabama law firm sued in 2011, claiming the filling was mostly not beef. The lawsuit was dropped a few months later.
How many calories are in a Taco Bell Crunchy Taco?
A Crunchy Taco has about 170 calories.
Can you get Taco Bell without meat?
Yes. You can swap beef for beans in most items, and Taco Bell has many vegetarian options.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
