Bring the taco truck experience right to your kitchen with these irresistible Walking Tacos! Ready in just 25 minutes, this fun and portable meal turns an ordinary bag of corn chips into a sensational handheld feast.
Perfect for game days, camping trips, or casual family dinners, these protein-packed tacos deliver a satisfying blend of savory meat, fresh toppings, and crunchy chips – all in one convenient package. Best of all, they require minimal cleanup and maximum flavor!
Essential Ingredients
- Ground Beef: 1/2 pound lean beef, perfect for optimal flavor
- Fresh Vegetables: Diced celery, yellow onion, garlic, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado for freshness
- Beans & Tomatoes: 1 can chili beans, 1 can crushed tomatoes for hearty base
- Toppings: Cheddar cheese, sliced olives, sour cream, and salsa for extra flavor
- Chips: Individual bags of Fritos or Doritos (1 oz each) for the perfect serving size
- Taco Seasoning Mix: Custom blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and aromatic spices
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Mix all spices in a bowl for your custom taco seasoning blend
- Meat Base: Brown the beef with onion and celery, season with salt and pepper until cooked through
- Flavor Building: Add garlic, crushed tomatoes, beans, and your prepared seasoning mix
- Simmering: Let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes to develop rich flavors
- Assembly: Open chip bags and layer with warm meat mixture
- Final Touches: Top with lettuce, cheese, fresh tomatoes, avocado, and your favorite garnishes
Cooking Tips
The secret to amazing Walking Tacos is in the meat mixture! Break up your ground beef into small, even pieces while it browns – this helps it mix better with the other ingredients and makes it easier to eat from the bag.
Keep your heat at medium to avoid burning the onions and celery, which add wonderful flavor and crunch to your dish. When you add the seasonings, give them a quick stir to wake up all those spices!
Fun Variations
Make this recipe your own! Try ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option. Want more heat? Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
You can swap Fritos for Doritos – Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese are fan favorites! For vegetarian friends, replace the meat with black beans or vegetarian crumbles. The toppings are totally up to you – try corn, pickled jalapeños, or different cheese blends.
Serving Ideas
Walking Tacos are perfect for parties, game days, or casual get-togethers! Set up a topping bar so everyone can build their own. Place small bowls filled with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and other toppings in a line.
Put out different chip options and keep the meat mixture warm in a slow cooker. Don’t forget to have spoons and napkins handy – these can get deliciously messy!
Storage Tips
Store leftover meat mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop. Keep chips sealed tight so they stay crispy.
Prep toppings like chopped lettuce and tomatoes just before serving for the freshest taste. If you have extra taco seasoning, pop it in a sealed jar – it’ll stay good for months!
Walking Tacos
Equipment
- Large skillet
Ingredients
For the Taco Salad
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 rib celery diced
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 16 ounce can chili beans partially drained
For the taco seasoning
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Combine all of the taco seasoning spices in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Add the chopped onion and celery and cook until meat is browned, breaking it into small pieces. Remove grease. Add minced garlic.
- Add crushed tomatoes, chili beans, and taco seasoning. Stir and bring to a simmer. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
- Open bags of Fritos chips. Add a ladle-full of chili mixture, and top with a handful of chopped lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, avocados, olives, and a spoonful of sour cream and salsa. Enjoy!
