Well, I wrote to TC: “I was just wondering about Taco Cabana’s Refried beans. Are they cooked
with any kind of animal product (lard, meat, butter … etc) ? I also
have a question about the flower tortillas. Are they made with milk or
animal based preservatives (actually and ingredient list would be a
great help) ? Thank you very much for your assistance!”
And they said: “Thank you for your interest in Taco Cabana!
Specifically, the answer to your question regarding refried beans is
yes, they do.
The flour tortillas are a 100% vegetarian product.
Attached is a list I think you’ll find helpful.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Thank you.
Marvin Jones
Operations Services Analyst
(210) 283-5516 <direct>
(800) 474-1344 x5516 <toll free>
(210) 804-1973 <fax>
mjones@tacocabana.com
Visit our website at http://www.tacocabana.com”
Liquid Smoke adds major flavor to dishes (like beans) that normally contain bacon or some other “smoked pig” type product. I tried it for the first time in some pinto beans and yum! It’s not animal derived, it’s just meant to bring a smokey flavor into your food (which is what most of us former omnis liked about “smoked pig” products anyway!). Almost all should be vegan but it never hurts to check. Just a tip, if you’re going to use it in beans, wait till the beans only have a few more minuets of cooking left, just enough time for the liquid smoke to sink in nicely without wasting a ton of the stuff poring more in when you have to put in more water.
Living Harmlessly 