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Walking Tacos

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posted: 05/03/25

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Walking Tacos make a simple and delicious dinner that makes my kids cheer! With just 15 minutes to throw together.

I love dinners that allow my kids to customize their plates. Taco night for us is a regular because of this, and walking tacos are another really fun spin.

Double or triple the taco meat (or even make crockpot taco meat), and use this for parties. It is perfect for outdoor get-togethers and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

overhead of bags of doritos and fritos and bowls of ground beef, taco seasoning, shredded cheese, diced onions, and shredded lettuce to make Walking Tacos

Walking Taco Chips

The “walking” part comes from serving the tacos right in small bags of chips. When it comes to walking taco chip bags, Doritos are the most common, but Fritos are also delicious. You could also use flavored Doritos or regular tortilla chips. The individual bags have the perfect amount of chips and hold all of your walking taco ingredients together.

overhead of small bags of doritos and fritos with a scissors for making walking tacos

How to Make Taco Meat

After the chips, you will need taco meat! It adds protein and great flavor to the walking tacos. We usually make our taco meat with ground beef, but you could also use ground turkey if you want a leaner option.

  • Add the ground beef to a skillet. Break it up as it begins to brown.
  • Add the diced onion. Cook until the onion is soft.
  • Add the taco seasoning. Once the ground beef is fully cooked, drain the grease and stir in the taco seasoning.

How to Make Walking Tacos

Here is a brief recipe for how this easy walking tacos recipe comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Cook the ground beef. Add the ground beef to a hot skillet and break it up as it browns. Add the onion and cook until the onion is soft.
  • Add the taco seasoning. Drain the grease from the ground beef and stir in the taco seasoning. I love keeping a big batch of my homemade taco seasoning on hand for recipes like this.
  • Put the walking tacos together. Cut the tops off the chip bags. Spoon 1/2 cup of the beef mixture into the chip bags. Add desired toppings and enjoy!
bag of doritos with spoon of taco meat going in to make Walking Tacos. Walking Tacos toppings sitting in background

Taco Meat in The Crockpot

One way to have your walking tacos ready to go in advance is to make your taco meat in your slow cooker. This allows you to make it ahead of time and keep it warm for guests to add their own meat to their walking taco when they are ready to eat. It is the perfect party food!

Slow Cooker Taco Meat

Slow Cooker Taco Meat is such an easy dinner to whip up before you head to work in the morning. You will love coming home to this easy classic.
Overhead view of Slow Cooker Taco Meat in a crock pot garnished with cilantro
Tray of bowls of Walking Tacos toppings with bags of chips and Walking Tacos sitting beside

Walking Taco Toppings

I love to have bowls of toppings set out so each person can add what they want to their walking taco. You can use any of your favorite taco toppings, but here are a few ideas:

  • Shredded cheese
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Black Olives
  • Salsa
  • Guacamole
  • Sour cream
  • Diced jalapenos

Storing Leftovers

I recommend only cutting open the bags of chips that you plan to eat to keep them fresh. Store any leftover taco meat in its own container in the refrigerator for up to three days, and reheat only the portion you plan to eat in the microwave or on the stovetop before adding it to your walking taco. Store any leftover toppings in their own containers in the refrigerator. Always use your best discretion when storing and eating leftovers.

Overhead of chip bags of Walking Tacos of chips, taco meat, shredded cheese, and shredded lettuce

Other Great Easy Dinner Recipes

If you make this walking taco recipe or any of my other recipes, be sure to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!

bag of doritos of walking tacos topped with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, and taco meat. Toppings and bags of walking tacos sitting behind
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Walking Tacos

Serves: 8 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Walking Tacos make a simple and delicious dinner that makes my kids cheer! With just 15 minutes to throw together.

Ingredients

Base of Walking Tacos

Toppings

  • shredded cheese
  • shredded lettuce
  • tomatoes chopped
  • sour cream
  • salsa
  • guacamole

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. After it has just begun to brown, add the onion. Cook until the onion is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes.
    1 pound ground beef, 1 small yellow onion
  • Drain the grease from the pan. Then stir in the taco seasoning until fully combined.
    1 ounce taco seasoning
  • Cut the tops off of the chip bags. Spoon 1/2 cup of the beef mixture into the chip bags. Allow guests to add their desired toppings to their tacos.
    8 individual bags of Doritos or Fritos
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
bag of doritos of walking tacos topped with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, and taco meat. Toppings and bags of walking tacos sitting behind

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Walking Tacos

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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