Quick Answer
A Taco Bell steak quesadilla contains around 670 calories. The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the ingredients and preparation method at each location. A standard steak quesadilla is made with a flour tortilla, marinated steak, three-cheese blend, chipotle sauce, sour cream, and optional ingredients like guacamole or pico de gallo.
Calories in Taco Bell Steak Quesadillas
Taco Bell steak quesadillas range from around 500-800 calories, depending on size and added ingredients. Here are the calorie counts for Taco Bell’s steak quesadilla options:
| Taco Bell Quesadilla | Calories |
|---|---|
| Regular steak quesadilla | 670 |
| XXL grilled steak quesadilla | 800 |
| Steak quesadilla with guacamole | 720 |
| Steak quesadilla with pico de gallo | 690 |
| Mini skillet quesadilla | 520 |
As you can see, calories range from 520 for a mini quesadilla up to 800 for an XXL grilled quesadilla. The standard 6-inch steak quesadilla ordered off Taco Bell’s main menu contains around 670 calories.
Adding guacamole or pico de gallo adds an extra 50-100 calories. The XXL quesadilla is larger at 12 inches across, accounting for the higher calorie count. Mini quesadillas ordered off the appetizer menu are smaller with fewer fillings.
Nutrition Facts for Taco Bell Steak Quesadillas
In addition to calories, here are some key nutrition facts for a regular 6-inch steak quesadilla from Taco Bell:
- Total Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 1330mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 51g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 29g
As you can see, nearly half the calories come from fat, with high amounts of saturated and trans fats. Sodium content is also very high at 55% of the daily recommended value.
Protein is a plus at 29g, coming from the marinated steak. There are 51g of carbs, though only 3g are from sugars, as most come from the tortilla.
Overall, the steak quesadilla is high in calories, fat, and sodium. It does provide a good amount of protein, but lacks other nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
Calorie Breakdown of Steak Quesadilla Ingredients
To understand where the calories are coming from, here is a breakdown of the calorie counts for each ingredient in a Taco Bell steak quesadilla:
- Flour tortilla – Around 300 calories
- Steak – 200 calories
- Three cheese blend – 150 calories
- Chipotle sauce – 50 calories
- Sour cream – 50 calories
The flour tortilla accounts for nearly half the calories at 300. The marinated steak also contributes a significant 200 calories. The three-cheese blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack chips in 150 calories.
The chipotle sauce and sour cream add smaller amounts, around 50 calories each. Any extras like guacamole or pico would add 50-100 calories as well.
This breakdown shows that the tortilla, steak, and cheese are the biggest calorie sources in the steak quesadilla. Limiting extras like sauce and sour cream can slightly reduce the calorie count.
How to Order a Lower Calorie Quesadilla at Taco Bell
If you’re looking for ways to cut calories for your Taco Bell quesadilla, here are some tips:
– Order a mini quesadilla – At just 520 calories, this 6-inch quesadilla is the lowest calorie option.
– Skip the steak – Choose seasoned chicken or black beans instead to cut around 200 calories.
– Go easy on extras – Skip the sour cream and sauce or only add guacamole or pico.
– Ask for a lower carb tortilla – See if they have high-fiber or lower carb flour tortilla options.
– Skip the cheese – Order your quesadilla with just meat and veggies inside.
– Build your own – Order a bare tortilla and fill it with lower calorie ingredients like grilled veggies.
With some simple customizations, you can bring down the calorie count substantially on Taco Bell quesadillas. Just beware that skipping the cheese and steak drastically changes the flavor profile.
Healthiest Quesadilla Options at Taco Bell
If you want maximum nutrition from your Taco Bell quesadilla, here are some of the healthiest options to order:
– Chicken or steak mini quesadilla – Ask for easy sauce and skip the sour cream.
– Fresco veggie quesadilla – Comes with pico, guacamole, rice, and black beans.
– Build your own with grilled chicken and veggies – Fill a tortilla with your own fresh ingredients.
– Quesadilla with black beans instead of steak – Beans offer fiber, protein, and fewer calories.
– Customize a lower carb tortilla – Request one of their lower carb tortilla options.
While quesadillas aren’t the most nutritious menu item, customizing your order can help make them a healthier choice. Focus on lean proteins, load up the veggies, and minimize high-fat, high-calorie cheeses and sauces.
High Protein Quesadilla Options
If you’re looking to maximize protein in your Taco Bell quesadilla, these are some of your best options:
– Steak quesadilla – 29g protein
– Double steak quesadilla – Around 60g protein
– Chicken quesadilla – Around 25g protein
– Quesadilla with beans – Beans offer about 8-12g protein per 1/2 cup
– Quesadilla with extra meat – Add extra steak, chicken or black beans
– XXL grilled quesadilla – The larger size packs more protein
Steak is your best protein choice, with 29g in a regular quesadilla. Doubling the steak doubles the protein. Chicken and black beans also offer solid protein amounts. Customizing your order with extra meat is an easy way to up the protein.
Low Carb Quesadilla Options
To make your quesadilla lower in carbs, here are some suggestions:
– Mini quesadilla – Smaller size means fewer carbs
– Lettuce wrap quesadilla – Skip the tortilla and wrap fillings in lettuce
– Bowl with quesadilla fillings – Get the fillings over lettuce without the tortilla
– Low carb tortilla – Request a lower carb flour tortilla if available
– No rice – Skip any Mexican rice or beans that are served on the side
Since the flour tortilla has around 51g of carbs, the best way to reduce carbs is to go without it. Lettuce wraps or bowls let you enjoy the yummy fillings while ditching the carb-loaded tortilla. Sticking with a mini quesadilla or lower carb tortilla also helps cut down on carbs.
Can You Make Taco Bell Quesadillas Healthy?
While Taco Bell quesadillas are high in calories, sodium, and fat, there are ways to make them a bit healthier:
– Use lower calorie fillings like grilled chicken instead of steak.
– Load up on veggies like tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
– Ask for a whole wheat tortilla to increase fiber.
– Skip or limit high-fat cheese, sauces, and sour cream.
– Order a smaller mini quesadilla instead of a regular or XXL.
– Turn it into a salad by putting the fillings over lettuce without the tortilla.
– Balance it with lower calorie side items like black beans and salsa.
– Stick to water, unsweetened tea, or diet soda instead of sugary drinks.
While quesadillas will never be a low calorie health food, these simple tweaks can help make them a bit more nutritious and lower in calories, fat, and carbs.
Healthiest Taco Bell Menu Items
Beyond quesadillas, here are some of the healthiest items you can order at Taco Bell if you’re trying to watch your nutrition:
– Chicken soft taco or bowl – Ask for lettuce instead of shell.
– Steak soft taco or bowl – Easy on cheese, sauce, and sour cream.
– Chicken fresco soft taco or bowl – Comes with pico and guacamole.
– Veggie power menu bowl – Black beans, rice, romaine lettuce, reduced fat sour cream, pico de gallo, and guacamole.
– Chicken power menu bowl – Chicken, pinto beans, lettuce, red strips, pico, and guacamole.
– Burrito Supreme Fresco – Pinto beans, rice, tomatoes, and red strips.
– Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme – Black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, nacho strips.
Focus on lean proteins like grilled chicken and steak. Load up on veggies and fiber from beans. Stick to corn tortillas or bowls instead of flour shells and limit high-fat sauces and cheeses. This helps make Taco Bell more nutritious.
Conclusion
A standard 6-inch steak quesadilla from Taco Bell contains around 670 calories. Exact counts vary based on preparation methods and added ingredients like sauces and veggies. The flour tortilla, steak, and cheese contribute the most calories. Ways to cut calories include choosing lower calorie fillings, minimizing extra toppings, or building your own quesadilla with healthier ingredients. While quesadillas are high in fat and sodium, customizing your order and skipping the tortilla can help make them a bit healthier. Focus on lean proteins, veggies, and beans for the most nutritious options.
