This article details Costa Vida’s vegan and vegetarian options. Costa Vida is a popular fast-food style Mexican grill. In a similar matter to Chipotle, Costa Vida creates your burrito, salad, taco, ect. as you order. Costa Vida’s roots began on Mexico’s Pacific coast, but they placed their headquarters on the Wasatch Front in Utah. Their locations now spread across the western United States and some larger cities in the east and Canada.
As Costa Vida’s format is create-your-own vegetarians and vegans, are able to pick and choose the ingredients that best suit their pallet. Burritos, salads, enchiladas, nachos, quesadillas, and Baja bowls can all be made vegetarian. Vegan options include burritos, salads, enchiladas, and Baja bowls by using the Tomatillo Cilantro Sauce and holding the cheese and rice. For a full breakdown of vegetarian and vegan ingredients and suggestions at Costa Vida, continue reading below.
Please Note: Selections may vary from store to store. Call your local store for details
Costa Vida's Vegan and Vegetarian Ingredients
Below is a list of all vegan and vegetarian ingredients at Costa Vida restaurants. All non-vegan ingredients will be listed in bold with the non-vegan ingredient in parentheses.
Tortillas
- Flour
- Wheat
- Corn
- Tortilla Chips
- Tortilla Strips
*Note: Dairy is used when grilling tortillas on flat grill. Avoid if vegan.
Hot Ingredients
- Rice (Contains Dairy – Butter)
- Black Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Refried Beans
- Fajita Veggies*
*Note: While not listed on Costa Vida’s website, a “Customer Experience Coordinator” confirmed via email that the Fajita Veggies are vegan friendly.
Cold Ingredients
- Pico
- Salsa Fresca
- Mango Salsa
- Guacamole
- Lettuce
- Cabbage
- Sour Cream (Contains Dairy)
- Cotija Cheese (Contains Dairy)
- Shredded Cheese (Contains Dairy)
Sauces and Dressings
- Tomatillo Cilantro Sauce
- Ranch Dressing (Contains Dairy)
- Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
- Mango Dressing
- Honey Habanero Sauce (Contains Honey)
- Chipotle Cream Sauce (Contains Dairy and Honey)
- Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (Vegetarian, not Vegan according to Costa Vida)
*Note: The Red Enchilada Sauce and Roasted Green Chile Sauce are made with Chicken and Beef bases so neither are veg friendly.
Desserts
- Cookie (Contains Milk and Eggs)
- Tres Leches (Contains Milk and Eggs)
- Key Lime Pie (Contains Milk and Eggs)
- Flan (Contains Milk and Eggs)
- Cinnamon Tortilla (Contains Milk)
Allergies and sensitivities for all Costa Vida’s ingredients can be found here.
Suggested Costa Vida Vegan Entrees
Salad
- Flour, Wheat, or Corn Tortilla
- No Rice
- Black, Pinto, or Refried Beans (Or a combination)
- Fajita Veggies
- Lettuce
- Pico
- Guacamole
- Tortilla Strips
- No Cotija Cheese
- Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
*Note: Optional Vegetarian Additions: Rice, Cotija Cheese, and Ranch Dressing
Burrito
- Flour or Wheat Tortilla
- No Rice
- Black, Pinto, or Refried Beans (Or a combination)
- Fajita Veggies
- Tomatillo Cilantro Sauce (Smothered)
- No Shredded Cheese
- Lettuce
- Pico
*Note: Optional Vegetarian Additions: Rice, Shredded Cheese, and Sour Cream
Summary
Costa Vida has some great plant-based options for those needing a quick Mexican food fix. While we sorely wish that their rice was vegan-friendly, the rest of veg options allow for the creation of some delicious, nutritious, filling meals on the go!
Are you looking for more articles like this? Look no further than our other eating out guides.
