Taco Bell Macros: Complete Nutrition Guide for Every Menu Item
Reviewed by Dr. Michael Torres, PhD
Taco Bell might seem like an unlikely spot for macro tracking, but hear us out. With their “Fresco Style” customizations, protein-forward options, and transparent nutrition information, you can actually build some solid macro-friendly meals here.
This guide breaks down every Taco Bell menu item by macros and shows you exactly how to order for your goals.
Why Taco Bell Can Work for Macros
- Customization options – “Fresco Style” swaps cheese and sauces for pico
- Affordable protein – Cheap way to hit protein goals
- Bean options – Good fiber and plant protein
- Transparent nutrition – Full nutrition available online and in-app
- Power Menu – Higher protein options available
Taco Bell Tacos Macros
| Taco | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchy Taco | 170 | 8 | 13 | 9 |
| Crunchy Taco Supreme | 190 | 8 | 14 | 11 |
| Soft Taco | 180 | 9 | 17 | 9 |
| Soft Taco Supreme | 210 | 10 | 18 | 10 |
| Doritos Locos Taco | 170 | 8 | 13 | 9 |
| Doritos Locos Taco Supreme | 190 | 8 | 15 | 11 |
| Chalupa Supreme - Beef | 350 | 12 | 30 | 21 |
| Chalupa Supreme - Chicken | 340 | 16 | 29 | 18 |
| Chalupa Supreme - Steak | 340 | 14 | 29 | 18 |
| Gordita Crunch | 300 | 11 | 29 | 16 |
Best value for macros: Regular Crunchy Taco (170 cal, 8g protein, $1.49)
Taco Bell Burritos Macros
| Burrito | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bean Burrito | 380 | 13 | 55 | 11 |
| Beefy 5-Layer Burrito | 490 | 19 | 60 | 18 |
| Burrito Supreme - Beef | 390 | 16 | 43 | 16 |
| Burrito Supreme - Chicken | 380 | 20 | 41 | 13 |
| Burrito Supreme - Steak | 380 | 18 | 41 | 14 |
| Cheesy Bean & Rice Burrito | 420 | 11 | 56 | 16 |
| Chicken Burrito | 440 | 24 | 51 | 14 |
| Grilled Cheese Burrito | 710 | 27 | 63 | 38 |
| 7-Layer Burrito | 440 | 13 | 60 | 17 |
Best protein burrito: Chicken Burrito (24g protein, 440 cal) Watch out: Grilled Cheese Burrito (710 cal, 38g fat)
Taco Bell Power Menu Macros
The Power Menu is designed for higher protein:
| Power Menu Item | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Menu Bowl - Chicken | 470 | 26 | 50 | 18 |
| Power Menu Bowl - Steak | 480 | 24 | 50 | 20 |
| Power Menu Bowl - Veggie | 430 | 12 | 57 | 18 |
Best for macros: Power Menu Bowl - Chicken (26g protein, reasonable macros all around)
Taco Bell Specialties Macros
| Item | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchwrap Supreme | 530 | 16 | 53 | 29 |
| Mexican Pizza | 540 | 20 | 46 | 30 |
| Cheesy Gordita Crunch | 500 | 20 | 40 | 28 |
| Quesadilla - Chicken | 510 | 27 | 37 | 27 |
| Quesadilla - Steak | 520 | 26 | 37 | 28 |
| Quesadilla - Cheese | 470 | 19 | 37 | 26 |
| Nachos BellGrande | 740 | 16 | 79 | 39 |
Best specialty for protein: Chicken Quesadilla (27g protein) Avoid for macros: Nachos BellGrande (740 cal, 39g fat)
Taco Bell Sides Macros
| Side | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chips & Nacho Cheese | 220 | 3 | 24 | 12 |
| Chips & Guacamole | 230 | 3 | 23 | 14 |
| Chips & Pico de Gallo | 170 | 3 | 25 | 6 |
| Black Beans | 50 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Rice | 160 | 3 | 29 | 4 |
| Cinnamon Twists | 170 | 1 | 26 | 6 |
Best side: Black Beans (50 cal, 2g protein, extra fiber)
Taco Bell Breakfast Macros
| Breakfast Item | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast Crunchwrap - Sausage | 680 | 21 | 53 | 41 |
| Breakfast Crunchwrap - Bacon | 670 | 20 | 51 | 41 |
| Breakfast Soft Taco - Sausage | 270 | 10 | 17 | 17 |
| Breakfast Soft Taco - Bacon | 240 | 9 | 15 | 14 |
| Cheesy Toasted Breakfast Burrito | 240 | 8 | 23 | 12 |
| Grande Toasted Breakfast Burrito | 580 | 20 | 51 | 32 |
| Hash Brown | 160 | 1 | 15 | 10 |
Best breakfast: Cheesy Toasted Breakfast Burrito (240 cal, decent protein-to-calorie ratio)
Best Taco Bell Orders by Goal
Best High-Protein Taco Bell Order
Protein Stack
- Chicken Quesadilla
- Power Menu Bowl - Chicken (no rice)
- Side of Black Beans
Macros: 830 calories | 57g protein | 67g carbs | 42g fat
Best Low-Calorie Taco Bell Order (Under 500 Cal)
Fresco Fiesta
- 2 Crunchy Tacos (Fresco Style)
- 1 Soft Taco (Fresco Style)
- Side of Black Beans
Macros: 470 calories | 27g protein | 52g carbs | 16g fat
Best Keto Taco Bell Order
Power Bowl No Carbs
- Power Menu Bowl - Chicken (no rice, no beans)
- Extra lettuce, pico, guac
Macros: ~300 calories | 24g protein | 10g carbs | 18g fat
Best Value Macro Order
Volume Eating
- 3 Crunchy Tacos
- Side of Black Beans
Macros: 560 calories | 26g protein | 46g carbs | 28g fat Cost: ~$6
How to Customize Your Taco Bell Order
The Fresco Style Hack
Say “Fresco Style” on any item to:
- Remove cheese, sour cream, creamy sauces
- Add fresh pico de gallo instead
- Save 40-100+ calories per item
This simple swap can save 200+ calories on a typical meal.
To Maximize Protein:
- Add chicken or steak to any item (+$1-2)
- Power Menu items are designed for protein
- Chicken Quesadilla has 27g protein
- Double meat on tacos or burritos
To Minimize Calories:
- Fresco Style everything – saves tons of calories from cheese/sauces
- Choose tacos over burritos – smaller portions
- Skip the chips – easy 200+ calories
- Black beans instead of rice – higher protein, fewer calories
To Reduce Carbs:
- Power Bowl without rice and beans – keeps all protein
- Skip the tortilla – get bowls instead
- No chips, no cinnamon twists
- Fresco Style (pico has minimal carbs)
To Make It More Filling:
- Add black beans to anything (fiber + protein)
- Get bowls – can request extra lettuce
- More tacos instead of one big item – feels like more food
Taco Bell Budget Protein Hacks
Taco Bell is one of the cheapest places to hit protein goals:
| Order | Calories | Protein | Approx. Cost | Protein per $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Crunchy Tacos | 510 | 24g | $4.50 | 5.3g/$1 |
| Chicken Quesadilla | 510 | 27g | $5.49 | 4.9g/$1 |
| 2 Bean Burritos | 760 | 26g | $3.58 | 7.3g/$1 |
| Power Bowl - Chicken | 470 | 26g | $7.79 | 3.3g/$1 |
| Beefy 5-Layer + Soft Taco | 670 | 28g | $4.00 | 7.0g/$1 |
Best value: 2 Bean Burritos (7.3g protein per dollar)
Taco Bell Sodium Warning
One major concern with Taco Bell is sodium. A typical meal easily exceeds 1,500-2,000mg of sodium:
| Item | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|
| Crunchwrap Supreme | 1,200 |
| Power Bowl - Chicken | 1,160 |
| Chicken Quesadilla | 1,320 |
| Beefy 5-Layer | 1,040 |
If you’re watching sodium, Taco Bell should be an occasional choice, not a daily habit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a Taco Bell taco?
A regular Crunchy Taco has 170 calories with 8g of protein. A Soft Taco has 180 calories with 9g of protein. Supreme versions add about 20-30 calories.
What is the healthiest thing at Taco Bell?
The healthiest options are Fresco Style tacos or the Power Menu Bowl with modifications. A Fresco Crunchy Taco has only 140 calories, and a Power Bowl without rice is around 300 calories with 24g+ protein.
Is Taco Bell good for protein?
Taco Bell is decent for protein when ordered strategically. The Chicken Quesadilla (27g) and Power Menu Bowls (24-26g) are the best options. Regular tacos only have 8-9g protein each.
How do I order Fresco Style at Taco Bell?
Simply say “Fresco Style” when ordering any item. This tells them to remove cheese, sour cream, and creamy sauces, replacing them with pico de gallo. You can also order Fresco Style in the app.
Can I eat Taco Bell while cutting?
Yes! Order Fresco Style tacos, stick to regular tacos instead of burritos or specialties, and skip chips and desserts. You can easily build a 400-500 calorie meal with 20+ grams of protein.
What should I avoid at Taco Bell?
For better macros, avoid:
- Nachos BellGrande (740 cal, 39g fat)
- Grilled Cheese Burrito (710 cal, 38g fat)
- XXL options
- Cinnamon Twists and desserts
- Chips and cheese
Are Taco Bell’s beans a good protein source?
Black beans at Taco Bell have 2g protein and 50 calories per side serving. While not high in protein alone, they add fiber and make meals more filling. The Bean Burrito has 13g protein total.
The Bottom Line
Taco Bell is surprisingly macro-friendly when you know how to order. The key is Fresco Style, sticking to simpler items, and avoiding the calorie-bomb specialties.
Key takeaways:
- Fresco Style saves 40-100+ calories per item
- Power Menu Bowl - Chicken is the best balanced option
- Regular tacos are the most efficient macro choice
- Bean Burritos are the best protein value
- Watch the sodium – it adds up fast
- Skip Nachos BellGrande and XXL items
With smart ordering, Taco Bell can fit your macros without breaking the bank.
Note: Menu items and nutrition info may vary by location. Verify with the restaurant for current data.