Portable and perfect as a snack, appetizer or party dish, Walking Tacos are all the rage and totally delicious! Just pile taco toppings on top of your favorite bag of chips!
What is a Walking Taco?
I had no clue when I first heard the term. I figured it referred to a taco cartoon character with legs. But I was corrected and now I’m here to share my portable taco knowledge.
Walking tacos are simply all the ingredients for tacos, ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning, in a convenient bag. They are eaten with a spoon, fork or spork, if you are lucky enough to get your hands on some! Almost like a Frito Pie.
This makes them superior to the classic crunchy taco. We’ve all been there. You nosh into your hot , crispy taco shell to find fresh, luscious lettuce, taco meat and more and what happens? The whole shell breaks. Not just into your mouth, but the rest of it too and now you’ve got a taco salad. Not a bad thing, but not what you wanted.
Why You’ll Love This Walking Tacos Recipe
There are so many reasons to love this fun taco recipe, but here are a few of our favorites.
- Portable – Not only are they a breeze to walk around with, but it makes for easy clean up too. Just throw the bag of chips away when you’re done eating!
- Make it your own – Switch things up by changing the meat, and add even more variety with lots of topping ideas.
- A fun twist – Everyone loves a fun taco night, but these walking tacos make thing even more fun.
Ingredients
Besides the toppings, the ingredient list for these walking tacos is relatively short.
- Small bags of chips – Instead of a bowl, you add the taco meat right to the bag of chips! Fritos or Doritos seem to be the most popular. But you can also use regular tortilla chips.
- Ground beef – I prefer to use lean ground beef. You might need a little oil in the skillet if it’s very lean.
- Taco seasoning – You can either make homemade taco seasoning, you buy a packet from the store.
- Thick and chunky salsa – In addition to the taco seasoning, I like to add salsa to my taco meat. It adds texture and flavor.
Variations
There are plenty of ways you can make these walking tacos your own. Here are a few suggestions.
- Meat – Instead of using lean ground beef, you could use ground turkey, ground chicken or even shredded chicken.
- Chips – While I like to use a small chip bag like cool ranch doritos or nacho cheese doritos, you can make your own bag with a ziplock bag and regular corn chips.
- Toppings – Of course, the usual toppings like shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese and sour cream are a given, but try mixing it up with different vegetables like bell pepper, or even a squeeze of lime juice.
- Walking taco bar – If you’re having a party, set up a little taco bar and allow your guests to build their own walking taco.
How to Make Walking Tacos
Simply make the taco meat, prep your toppings and you are well on your way to enjoying your walking tacos.
- Cook ground beef. Add ground beef to a large skillet, using vegetable oil, if needed. If using lean beef oil will be necessary. Cook until no pink remains.
- Drain. Drain the grease and return to the skillet.
- Mix in seasoning and salsa. Add beef back into pan and mix with taco seasoning and salsa, stir well until fully coated.
- Serve with chips and toppings. Serve immediately with bags of Fritos or Doritos and toppings of your choice.
What to Serve with Easy Walking Tacos Recipe
These walking tacos are great as a main dish for taco night. You can serve them with things like spanish rice and refried beans.
The topping options are endless. Some of our favorite taco toppings include:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Crema Mexicana
- Sweet Sriracha Sour Cream
- Lettuce- iceberg works best
- Tomatoes
- Black beans
- Fresh or Pickled Jalapenos
- Green onions (scallions)
- Sliced Black Olives
- Salsa
- Avocado
- Pico de Gallo
- Fresh Cilantro
Once you’ve got your toppings figured out, it follows like an assembly line from there. You start with your bag of chips. Put your taco m eat on top (you could even use shredded chicken instead of or as well as beef.)
Storage and Freezing
How to Store Leftover Walking Tacos
Once a walking taco is assembled, it needs to be consumed; otherwise, the chips will become soggy. You can, however, store the items separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Can I Freeze Walking Tacos?
You can certainly freeze the taco meat! Cook it and allow it to cool. Then place it in an airtight container or plastic bag. Freeze for up to six months.
More Taco Night Recipes
There’s nothing I love more than a good taco night, and there’s so many ways to do it! Here are a few of our favorite recipes.
Barbacoa Tacos
Jalapeno Lime Flank Steak Tacos
Breakfast Taco Recipe
Walking Taco
Equipment
Ingredients
Tacos:
- 16 Small bags of Fritos or Doritos
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning or 1 packet (1 ounce)
- 1 1/2 cups thick and chunky salsa
Toppings:
- Cheese
- Sour cream
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Black beans
- Jalapeno , sliced
- Green onions
- Black olives , sliced
- Avocado
- Salsa
- Pico de Gallo
Instructions
- Add ground beef to a large skillet, using vegetable oil, if needed. If using lean beef (turkey or chicken) oil will be necessary. Cook until no pink remains.
- Drain and return to the skillet.
- Add beef back into pan and mix with taco seasoning and salsa, stir well until fully coated.
- Serve immediately with bags of Fritos or Doritos and toppings of your choice.
Video
Nutrition
Outstanding recipe thanks so much! tasted so much good!
Any suggestions on how to keep the taco meat warm?
Slow cooker on low!
I am so excited to make this!
These used to be my favorite growing up! So yummy!
That’s called a frito boat
I’ve never hear dit called that before- I love it!
LOVED this recipe!! It reminded me of Frito boats 🙂 These are so fun and can’t wait to make them again!
My kids loved this because it was tasty and fun. I loved this because it was so easy with very little clean up.
How fun are these!! I love how easy they are and they are perfect for eating and watching TV!
My kids are absolutely going to love this! Such a fun twist to our Taco Tuesday dinner routine.
Now this is my kind of crazy! LOVE the idea!