American Love Taco. In fact, some estimates suggest that people eat more than 4.5 billion tacos each year in the United States. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the small pieces also make a pretty good snack.
jump on the chain
But when did our love affair with tacos begin? Well, as it turns out, it wasn’t that long ago. Here’s a little more information about the history of America’s favorite meal and where you can find vegan options across the country. Plus, if you want to make your own, he shares 10 of his favorite plant-based recipes.
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Where do tacos come from?
According to historian Jeffrey M. Pilcher, we have Mexican miners to thank for the taco. “My theory is that it dates back to the Mexican silver mines of the 18th century, because in these mines the word ‘taco’ referred to the nominal fee used to excavate the ore. ” he said. smithsonian museum. “These were strips of paper, wrapped in gunpowder and inserted into holes carved into the rock face. When you think about it, a chicken taquito with a nice hot sauce is a lot like a stick of dynamite.”
Tacotarian
It wasn’t until two centuries later, when Mexican workers began immigrating to the United States to mine and build railroads, that tacos landed north of the border and began to become popular with Americans. This was helped by first generation Mexican Americans who were the children of these miners. They began experimenting with taco recipes that fused Mexican cuisine with foods popular in the United States (such as hamburger meat and iceberg lettuce) in the early to mid-20th century. century.
“Many Mexican-American tacos are actually variations on Mexican dishes.” [made with] It’s an ingredient that’s available through the U.S. food processing industry,” Pilcher said. Glen Bell, the founder of Taco Bell, one of the most popular taco shops in the United States, was inspired by these foods and created his own chain serving tacos in the 1960s, despite not being Mexican. has been launched. To this day, Taco Bell is not popular in Mexico, the true birthplace of the taco.
types of tacos
Tacos come in many different styles, but fresh, warm flour tortillas are the closest to the type originally eaten throughout Mexico. Of course, there are also the crunchy corn-based hard shells (which, according to Pilcher, were probably not invented by Bell, despite claims to the contrary) and the soft chalupa bread shells.
Tacotarian
There are no rules for taco toppings, but most include meat, fish, or beans, topped with onions, cilantro, and sauce. Other common taco toppings include lettuce, diced fresh tomatoes, guacamole, and cheese.
What is a taco that is not vegan?
Tacos are super easy to make and order vegan with filling options like guacamole, lettuce, refried beans, black beans, brown rice, and vegan cheese. However, many popular taco restaurants and chains also offer meat, fish, and shrimp tacos, often served with dairy cheese or non-vegan sour cream, so be sure to check the ingredients list before ordering. Please check again.
Chain restaurant with vegan taco options
Living in the United States, it can be difficult to choose a Mexican-style chain restaurant that serves vegan tacos. Next time you’re craving something to eat, try one of these popular spots (in no particular order).
Tacotarian
1Tacotarian
You can’t go wrong with Tacotarian. His completely vegan chain, which has locations in Las Vegas, Nevada and San Diego, California, has a whopping 15 different types of tacos on the menu. In addition to classics like mushroom asada, chorizo, and al pastor, we offer options like printemps con mole and giant tacos filled with beans, nacho cheese, lettuce, guacamole, fries, crema, cheddar cheese, salsa, and your choice of toppings. Enjoy innovative options too. of vegan meat.
find it here
Jajaja Mexicana/Instagram
2 Jajaja Mexicana
This plant-based chain (with locations in New York, NY and Wynnewood, FL) specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine, so the menu has plenty of street taco options. For example, try pollo coco with vegan chicken or jackfruit carnitas with salsa his verde.
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next level veggie grill
3 next level veggie grill
At Veggie Grill by Next Level, everything on the menu is vegan (yes, it’s vegan) all). If you’re in the mood for tacos, satisfy all your cravings with Baja Fish Tacos and Smoky Mushroom Asada Tacos from the chain’s Mass Veggies menu.
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chipotle pepper
Four chipotle pepper
Chipotle has been bringing Mexican-inspired food to the United States since the 1990s. And for the most part, it’s always been a safe haven for vegans. Almost all menu items, including tacos, can be made vegan very easily by omitting animal products like cheese, beef, and chicken, and opting for plant-based options like sofritas, beans, and vegetables.
find it here
taco bell
Five taco bell
As mentioned above, no matter where you are in the United States, you can usually find a Taco Bell right away. If you’d like to order something plant-based, request that meat be swapped for beans and that all dairy and mayonnaise-based toppings and sauces be replaced with fresh diced tomatoes. If you’re looking for something a little more nourishing, order the chain’s popular spicy fries. Most taco shells are vegan, but avoid the Doritos Locos option. The chain has experimented with vegan meat and dairy-free cheese in the past. In 2023, it launched a vegan Crunchwrap with plant-based crumbles and queso sauce. This limited-time menu has been removed from the menu, but I would like to keep an eye on the vegan menu in the future.
find it here
Qdoba/Instagram
6 Qdoba
Qdoba, another popular spot for Mexican-inspired food in the U.S. and Canada, offers a wide selection of vegan tacos. Choose flour, corn, or taco salad shells and fill them with options like fajita vegetables, beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, and more.
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Del Taco/Instagram
7 Del Taco
Del Taco first added Beyond Meat to its menu in 2019, but unfortunately, this vegan protein is no longer available. However, you can also order plant-based tacos with a few changes. Whether you want a crunchy shell or a soft tortilla, The Del Taco can easily be made vegan. Use beans instead of beef and no cheese. That leaves you with bean tacos topped with lettuce and diced tomatoes. For a little more flavor, add guacamole and finish with a vegan-friendly sauce.
find it here
Baja Fresh/Instagram
8 baja fresh
As the name suggests, Baja Fresh likes to keep its ingredients as fresh as possible. And like most Mexican-style chains, it offers plant-based staples like beans, lettuce, and guacamole. However, you can also top your tacos with Impossible Foods meats.
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Moe-san
9 Moe’s Southwest Grill
Ordering vegan food at Moe’s is very easy. Just make your own tacos using all the chain’s vegan ingredients. This national chain offers organic tofu as well as all the regular menu items (including handmade Wakuwak). Plus, each order comes with free vegan chips and salsa.
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Dos Toros/Instagram
Ten Dos Toros Taqueria
With locations in New York and New Jersey, Dos Toros makes ordering vegan tacos easy. Basically, everything other than meat, cheese, and sauce cream is plant-based, so you can enjoy it with confidence. Vegan proteins include beans, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts.
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Taco Cabana
11Taco Cabana
Texas-based Taco Cabana’s menu is fairly meat-heavy, but they also have some veggie options, one of which, the Black Bean Taco, can easily be made vegan. Ask for corn tortillas without cheese.
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Mr. Rubio/Instagram
12Rubio’s Coastal Grill
Although the name suggests that the menu is heavily fish-heavy, the fast-casual chain, which has locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona, also has some vegan options. Ask for grilled vegetables or Impossible Foods meats for your protein, and be sure to specify that you don’t want cheese or non-vegan sauces.
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Mr. Chui
13 Mr. Chui
Chuy’s, which is based in Texas and has 102 locations across the United States, has a lot of meat on its menu. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have options if you want vegan food. Order crispy tacos made with all of the chain’s plant-based ingredients, including Mexican rice, refried beans, lettuce, and tomatoes. (Again, be sure to let your server know you want something cheese-free.)
find it here
How to make your own vegan tacos
You don’t have to eat out to enjoy tacos. Try one of these easy vegan recipes the next time you’re preparing for taco night.
1 Chickpea tacos with creamy cashew dill sauce
A super creamy cashew-based dill sauce completes the already delicious chickpea tacos. Serve with gently warmed tortillas for the ultimate Taco Tuesday.
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candace hutchings
2 Chalupanan tacos with avocado ranch sauce
Swap out the crunchy shells or soft tortillas for chalupa for a change of atmosphere. The origin of bread is central Mexico. It’s thick and has a firm texture, and is sure to fill you up.
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richa hingle
3 spicy buffalo chickpea tacos
Everyone loves buffalo seasoning, right? The next time you host taco night, make your own and impress your friends! This recipe has a pretty spicy kick, so don’t forget the cool ranch too.
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chris miller
Four avocado portabello tacos
You don’t need fancy ingredients for delicious tacos. Avocado and portobello mushrooms combine to create a meaty, creamy, animal-free dish.
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Eric Isaac
Five cheese tex mex tofu tacos
Start your day with these breakfast tacos filled with scrambled tofu, your favorite veggies, avocado, and lots of vegan cheese.
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chelsea kauai
6 vegan crust avocado tacos
Craving fish tacos but don’t like the actual fish part? There’s a solution. Crunchy avocado covered in breadcrumbs. Don’t forget about the capers, which give the characteristic salty and fishy taste.
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Bosch!
7 Breakfast hash tacos with mushrooms and sausage
For the perfect Sunday brunch, dig into tacos with vegan sausage, pickled onions, and breakfast hash.
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bailey ruskas
8 Sweet potato tofu breakfast tacos with ranchero sauce
If you prefer whole-food ingredients to vegan meat, sweet potatoes and tofu with homemade ranchero sauce also make a delicious breakfast taco filling.
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experiment
9 baja tacos without fish
If you don’t like avocado, recreate vegan fish using chickpeas instead. Plus, impress your friends by serving your tacos with a twist: homemade mango salsa.
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Mixing and measuring
Ten Crispy seafood tofu tacos with green onion tortillas
Seafood is usually served in Chinese cuisine, but you can also enjoy this rich, sweet sauce on tacos. A perfect fusion dinner.
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Read below to learn more about vegan food.
Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on England’s south coast.
