Convenient & Flavorful Walking Tacos

Walking Tacos are an easy, no-fuss dinner that saves the day when everyone’s hungry, and nobody feels like sitting down to a pile of dishes.

A Quick Meal That’ll Blow You Away

Walking tacos come together fast, using simple ingredients you probably already keep around. From start to finish, dinner’s on the table in about 25 minutes, which makes it a real lifesaver on busy school nights or last-minute evenings when everyone’s hungry now.

These puppies have been a staple at birthday parties, concession stands, and taco bars for years, and for good reason! They take everything you love about taco night and turn it into an easy, customizable, grab-and-go meal. This is also one of my favorite dinners because it can feed quite the crowd. Double the taco meat, grab a few extra bags of chips, and suddenly you’ve got an effortless taco bar!

If this is your first time making them at home, don’t worry. They’re nearly foolproof, and I’ll walk you through a few tips to make sure they turn out just right. If you’re a big fan of convenience, check out these Grab and Go Breakfast Burritos!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ground beef
Small yellow onion, finely diced
Packet mild taco seasoning
Water
Fritos corn chips or Doritos
Shredded Colby-Jack or mild cheddar cheese
Shredded iceberg lettuce

Optional Toppings:

Diced tomatoes
Sour cream
Pickled jalapeños
Diced sweet onion
Hot sauce

Helpful Tips Before You Start

Use a large skillet. Cooking the taco meat in a large skillet over medium heat (or medium-high heat if needed) gives the beef room to brown properly without steaming.
Don’t skip the onion. That finely diced onion adds flavor and moisture to the taco meat, especially important when it’s going straight into a chip bag.
Keep the meat juicy. You want the taco meat thickened but not dry. Simmer just until it holds together and coats the beef. You don’t want a soupy mess at the bottom of the Frito bag.
Grab a pair of scissors. Cutting open the chip bag down the side is the easiest way to eat walking tacos without crushing everything at the bottom.

How to Make Walking Tacos

Step 1: Cook the Taco Meat

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, breaking the meat up as it cooks. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease if needed.

Step 2: Season and Simmer

Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Reduce the heat slightly and let the mixture simmer until thickened but still juicy. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Prep the Chip Bags

Gently crush each bag of chips, then cut it open lengthwise. This creates a “taco shell” that’s easy to fill and eat.

Step 4: Assemble

Spoon warm taco meat directly into each bag of chips. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, so it melts into the meat, then top with lettuce, sour cream, and any additional toppings you love.

Serve immediately with a fork and let everyone dig in!

Storage & Leftovers

Store leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. Assemble fresh walking tacos with new bags of chips when ready to serve.

What to Serve with Walking Tacos

Honestly, these are a meal all on their own. But if you’re feeding a crowd, they pair well with Mexican street corn pasta, beans, or some corn on the cob.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make walking tacos ahead of time?

You can prep the taco meat in advance, but don’t assemble until serving, because the chips will get soggy fast.

Can I use tortilla chips instead?

Absolutely. Any sturdy bag of chips works, including tortilla chips or flavored varieties.

Are walking tacos the same as frito pie?

They’re similar! Frito pie usually leans chili-style, while walking tacos stick closer to classic taco meat and toppings.