Walking Tacos are a fun and delicious twist on traditional tacos, served right in a bag of chips! This easy, portable meal is perfect for parties, picnics, or game days. Simply fill individual bags of chips with seasoned taco meat and your favorite toppings for a no-fuss meal that’s as customizable as it is tasty.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make and perfect for serving a crowd
- Great for parties, tailgating, and on-the-go meals
- Fun and customizable with endless topping options
- Minimal cleanup—serve directly in the chip bag!
- Kid-friendly and a guaranteed hit with everyone
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Tacos:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
- 1/2 cup water
- 8-10 single-serving bags of chips (Fritos, Doritos, or tortilla chips)
Topping Ideas:
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Sour cream
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Diced onions
- Sliced jalapeños
- Black olives
- Guacamole or diced avocado
- Fresh cilantro
Directions
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Prepare the Chips: Gently crush the bags of chips to break them into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the Walking Tacos: Cut open the top of each chip bag. Spoon in a scoop of the taco meat, then add your favorite toppings.
- Serve: Hand out forks and let everyone enjoy their walking tacos straight from the bag!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8-10
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Chicken Walking Tacos: Use shredded or ground chicken with taco seasoning.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the meat with black beans, refried beans, or crumbled tofu.
- Breakfast Tacos: Use scrambled eggs, sausage, and breakfast toppings.
- Make it spicy: Add hot sauce, spicy salsa, or pickled jalapeños.
- Different Chips: Try different flavors of Doritos, Cheetos, or even pretzel crisps for variety.
Storage/Reheating
- Store: Keep leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm the taco meat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
- Avoid Freezing: Chips and fresh toppings do not freeze well, but taco meat can be frozen for up to 2 months.
FAQs
1. What are Walking Tacos?
Walking Tacos are essentially tacos served in a bag of chips, making them easy to eat on the go.
2. What chips work best for Walking Tacos?
Fritos and Doritos are the most popular choices, but any sturdy chip works well.
3. Can I make Walking Tacos in advance?
You can prepare the taco meat and toppings ahead of time, but assemble them just before serving to keep the chips crunchy.
4. Are Walking Tacos gluten-free?
They can be! Use gluten-free chips and taco seasoning to make this recipe gluten-free.
5. Can I serve Walking Tacos as a meal or a snack?
They work well as both, depending on portion size and topping choices.
6. How can I make Walking Tacos healthier?
Use lean ground turkey or chicken, low-sodium seasoning, and plenty of fresh veggies.
7. Can I use taco salad ingredients in Walking Tacos?
Yes! Add ingredients like black beans, corn, or diced bell peppers for a taco salad vibe.
8. What side dishes go well with Walking Tacos?
Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a fresh fruit salad.
9. Can I use homemade taco seasoning?
Absolutely! A mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika works great.
10. How do I serve Walking Tacos at a party?
Set up a taco bar with all the toppings and let guests assemble their own Walking Tacos.
Conclusion
Walking Tacos are a fun and flavorful way to enjoy all the deliciousness of traditional tacos in a portable, mess-free form. Whether for a party, picnic, or a quick family meal, this recipe is sure to be a hit. The customizable toppings and easy preparation make it a go-to choice for any occasion. Give this easy and creative recipe a try and watch your guests rave about it!
Print
Walking Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Snack Method: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mexican
Description
Walking Tacos are a fun and easy meal perfect for parties, picnics, or game day. All the classic taco ingredients are served directly in a bag of chips, allowing you to walk around and enjoy your taco without a plate! Kids and adults alike will love this customizable and portable dish.
Ingredients
For the Taco Meat:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning)
- 1/2 cup water
For the Walking Tacos:
- 8 single-serving bags of chips (Fritos, Doritos, or tortilla chips)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced onions (optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1 cup salsa or pico de gallo
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup guacamole or diced avocados
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Hot sauce, for extra spice
Instructions
-
Prepare the Taco Meat:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink.
- Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
-
Prepare the Chips:
- Gently crush the bags of chips to break them into smaller pieces (without opening the bags).
- Carefully cut the top of each bag open.
-
Assemble the Walking Tacos:
- Add a scoop of warm taco meat to each bag of chips.
- Layer with your favorite toppings like cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro.
-
Serve:
- Give each person a fork, and they can mix up their walking taco right in the bag.
- Enjoy on the go or while mingling at your event!
Notes
- Customizable Toppings: Feel free to add corn, jalapeños, or beans.
- Make It Healthier: Use baked chips, ground turkey, or add extra veggies.
- Storage: If you have leftovers, store ingredients separately in the fridge and assemble fresh walking tacos as needed.