Every Taco Bell Protein, Ranked & Reviewed by a Food Editor

For 95 cents more than beef, you can substitute sliced, grilled chicken on items like tacos and burritos. I found this Taco Bell protein to be mildly seasoned and…chicken-y, if you know what I mean. (Sort of like those pre-cooked Tyson grilled chicken strips, or like leftover chicken that’s been reheated in the microwave.) That said, it was tender and soft in texture.

As a Cuban-American, I’m genetically predisposed to adore black beans. And I do! But for this purpose (read: a soft taco), I wouldn’t recommend them over most other options. They were flavorful and creamy, but also soupy and very messy, making for a lowkey unappetizing visual. Save this fiber-rich protein for more structured menu items, like burritos and Crunchwraps.

While comparatively low in protein, I’m including this starchy veg for consideration as a filling alternative to black and refried beans. Fiesta Potatoes are super comforting and a favorite among fast food lovers who don’t eat meat. However, they make for a pretty dry taco if you don’t spring for Supreme toppings (sour cream and tomatoes) or add a sauce, dip or salsa, like nacho cheese. Although I prefer them as a side, they were still crispy, tender, filling and flavorful for a meatless Taco Bell protein.

I’m always conflicted about Taco Bell’s steak. Yes, it’s soft, well-seasoned and hearty…but it doesn’t feel like steak the way, say, Chipotle’s steak feels like steak. For $1.10 more, it always feels like I’m paying a premium for equal quality to the cheaper ground beef. Kvetching aside, it’s still satiating, flavorful and tender.

This outdid the grilled chicken option by a mile. This alternative was much saucier and more homestyle-tasting. It came nearly shredded, so it was more rustic in appearance than those artificial-looking slivers of char-adorned poultry. It also made for a moister bite and had a mildly spicy, zesty taste that’s well worth the $1.10 upcharge.

I’ll never stop singing the praises of the chain’s bean burrito. (If you’ve read any of my T-Bell reviews in the past, you already know that it was my first order ever and that I adore it for its tangy red sauce, crunchy red onions and comforting, cheesy filling.) But how does this Taco Bell protein taste in a soft taco? Starchy, creamy, rich and as bean-y as ever without any intense seasoning. It wasn’t the prettiest or easiest to eat, but it hits every time—especially if you don’t eat meat. The refried beans also keep the taco closed, unlike the watery black beans that drip out both ends as you eat.

Yup, the O.G. has my heart this time around. The ground beef is the standard protein (like, if you don’t specify a protein in your order, this is the default it’ll come with), and it was filling, savory and, most importantly, saucy. Its moisture permeates all other elements of whatever menu item it’s on in a way that steak and chicken don’t. It was well-seasoned without being spicy, so it’s a crowd-pleaser and cheaper than the other meat fillings. Winner, winner, beef dinner.