This Walking Taco Recipe packs saucy beef, melty cheese, and fresh toppings into a snack-size chip bag for a crunchy, fun, on-the-go dinner.
Author’S Notes
Walking Tacos Are Back, Baby!
My husband and I were brainstorming summer camping meals the other day when he brought up one of his childhood favorites: walking tacos.
I remembered having them as a kid too, but it had been years! So I started with my go-to taco meat recipe, added some beans to stretch the meat a bit and give it more texture, and made a batch for dinner the next night.
The kids were OBSESSED, and my husband said they were even better than he remembered. Safe to say this walking taco recipe (along with our favorite hobo foil packets) is locked in for our next camping trip!
Quick Tip
What Is a Walking Taco?
A Walking Taco Recipe is made by loading taco meat and toppings straight into a small bag of corn chips, so you can eat it right out of the bag; no plate needed.
In the Midwest it’s “Walking Taco,” in the Southwest “Frito Pie,” but the idea is the same; portable, no-plate taco dinner!
Ingredients In My Walking Taco Recipe
| Ingredient | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Single-serve chip bags | Doritos for nacho flavor, Fritos for classic corn flavor, Takis for some heat, and Cheetos for extra crunch. |
| Lean ground beef (93/7) | Browns beautifully with minimal grease, so the chips stay crisp. |
| Taco seasoning & chili beans | Seasoning brings the classic taco flavor; beans keep the meat saucy so every chip gets coated evenly. |
| Fresh toppings | Shredded lettuce, sharp Cheddar, cherry tomatoes, and sour cream for the classic taco toppings. |
| Optional extras | Pickled jalapeños, guacamole, salsa, queso drizzle…pile on your favorites! |
Tips For Making This Walking Taco Recipe
- Lightly crush chips: Guarantees every bite gets meat and toppings.
- Serve immediately: Chips stay crisp instead of soggy.
- Keep meat hot: Keep in a slow cooker for parties, in a thermos for camping.
- Easy topping bar: Use a muffin tin or small bowls for quick, tidy access.
Storage
Make-Ahead, Packing To Go, & Storing
This Walking Taco Recipe is perfect for camping, but it’s just as fun for a quick dinner.
- Prep ahead: Cook meat up to 3 days early, chill, then reheat with a splash of water.
- Freeze: Bag cooled meat; freeze up to 3 months and thaw overnight.
- Pack to go: Carry hot meat in an insulated carrier; keep toppings in small jars on ice.
- Leftovers: Keep toppings separate and build fresh so chips stay crisp.
More Camping Meal Faves:
Walking Taco Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7
- 1 batch taco seasoning see note 1
- 1 (15-ounce) can chili beans in sauce, see note 2
- 8 (3.5-ounce) bags chips Fritos or Doritos
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese or use a Mexican blend
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Toppings as desired see note 3
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Add the ground beef, smash it down slightly, and sear for 1 minute without touching. Flip and sear the other side for 1 minute, then break it apart with a wooden spoon. Once the beef begins turning from red to pink, stir in the taco seasoning. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the meat is deeply browned and the grease has absorbed.
- Use scissors to cut the top off each chip bag. Spoon about 1/2 cup of hot taco meat into each bag, then top with 1/4 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup cheese, a handful of tomatoes, and a big scoop of sour cream.
- Garnish with any desired toppings or a drizzle of hot sauce. Serve right away—chips will get soggy if assembled in advance.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What to Serve With My Walking Taco Recipe
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad: My favorite side dish with any type of tacos!
- Black Bean and Corn Salad: Scoopable side or extra taco topper.
- Cilantro Lime Rice: A good filling side or add a scoop to the chip bags!
- Guacamole: The best creamy topping to levels up the whole meal.
Walking Taco Recipe FAQs
Plain Fritos are naturally gluten-free. Be sure to double-check labels.
Skip cheese and sour cream; add guacamole and pico to still have some good creaminess.
Yes; cook the meat just like in my turkey tacos recipe, then stir in the chili beans.
