Why You’ll Love Walking Taco Recipe Recipe
Walking Tacos are incredibly easy to prepare and even easier to serve. Since everyone can assemble their taco directly in a chip bag, cleanup is minimal and guests can customize their portions with their favorite toppings.
The seasoned ground beef provides plenty of savory taco flavor, while Monterey Jack cheese adds a mild, creamy richness. Fritos give every bite a salty crunch, and the optional Fiesta Ranch sour cream adds an extra layer of tangy flavor.
This recipe also works especially well when feeding a crowd. Set out the ingredients and additional toppings, then let everyone build their own Walking Taco.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 pound lean ground beef (93/7)
- ½ package taco seasoning
- ½ bag Fritos Corn Chips
- 8 ounces sour cream
- ¼ packet Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip mix, optional
You can also set out optional toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, jalapeños, chopped onions, avocado, cilantro, or hot sauce.
Directions
- Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook while breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon or meat masher.
- Add the taco seasoning and stir it into the beef. Continue cooking until the beef is completely browned and cooked through.
- If making the Fiesta Ranch sour cream, combine the sour cream with the Fiesta Ranch Dip mix in a small bowl and stir until smooth.
- Divide the Fritos into individual serving bags or bowls. If using individual chip bags, gently crush the chips before opening them to make the tacos easier to eat.
- Spoon the warm seasoned ground beef over the chips.
- Add shredded Monterey Jack cheese and a spoonful of sour cream or Fiesta Ranch sour cream.
- Finish with any additional taco toppings you enjoy. Serve immediately while the beef is warm and the chips are crunchy.
Servings and timing
This Walking Taco recipe makes approximately 12 servings and takes about 10 minutes to prepare and cook.
Preparation time: About 5 minutes
Cooking time: About 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Variations
For a different flavor, replace the ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, shredded chicken, or seasoned pulled pork. You can also make a meatless version using seasoned black beans, pinto beans, or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
Fritos provide the classic crunchy base, but individual bags of Doritos or other sturdy tortilla or corn chips work well too. Try different flavors to give guests several choices.
Monterey Jack can also be replaced with cheddar, pepper Jack, a Mexican-style cheese blend, or queso fresco. For even more variety, create a Walking Taco bar with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, salsa, guacamole, corn, beans, cilantro, and several sauces.
Storage/Reheating
Walking Tacos are best assembled immediately before eating because the chips will soften after they come into contact with the warm beef and moist toppings.
Store leftover cooked ground beef separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep the cheese, sour cream, chips, and fresh toppings in separate containers.
To reheat the taco meat, warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals until hot. Assemble the Walking Tacos only after the meat has been reheated.
For longer storage, the cooked taco meat can be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.
FAQs
What is a Walking Taco?
A Walking Taco is a portable taco served directly inside a small bag of chips. The bag is opened and topped with seasoned taco meat, cheese, sour cream, and other favorite taco toppings, making it easy to eat with a fork while standing or walking around.
What chips are best for Walking Tacos?
Fritos are an excellent choice because their sturdy texture holds up well beneath the warm taco meat and toppings. Doritos and other sturdy corn or tortilla chips can also be used.
Can I make Walking Tacos ahead of time?
You can prepare most of the components ahead of time, but don’t assemble the tacos until you’re ready to serve them. Cook the meat in advance, refrigerate it, and reheat it before serving. Prepare and refrigerate the toppings separately.
How do you keep Walking Tacos from getting soggy?
Keep the meat, sour cream, and other moist ingredients separate from the chips until serving. Adding everything immediately before eating helps the chips remain crunchy.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Cheddar, pepper Jack, Colby Jack, queso fresco, or a shredded Mexican-style cheese blend can replace Monterey Jack.
Can Walking Tacos be made without beef?
Absolutely. Ground turkey, chicken, pulled pork, black beans, pinto beans, lentils, or plant-based meat alternatives can all be used instead of ground beef.
What toppings can I add to Walking Tacos?
Popular choices include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, salsa, guacamole, avocado, corn, black beans, cilantro, hot sauce, and additional shredded cheese.
How do I serve Walking Tacos for a party?
Prepare the seasoned meat and keep it warm, then arrange the chips, cheese, sour cream, and other toppings in separate serving containers. Guests can grab a chip bag and customize their own Walking Taco.
Can I make Walking Tacos less spicy?
Yes. Use mild taco seasoning and regular sour cream rather than spicy sauces or toppings. Monterey Jack is also a good mild cheese for keeping the overall flavor family-friendly.
How much meat do I need for Walking Tacos?
One pound of ground beef works for approximately 12 smaller Walking Taco servings when combined with chips, cheese, sour cream, and other toppings. For larger portions or particularly hungry guests, consider preparing additional meat.
Conclusion
Walking Tacos turn simple taco ingredients into an easy, crowd-friendly meal that’s ready in just 10 minutes. Crunchy Fritos, seasoned ground beef, Monterey Jack cheese, and creamy sour cream deliver plenty of flavor with very little preparation.
They’re especially convenient for parties, game days, camping, casual family dinners, and other occasions where you want food that’s easy to serve and customize. Keep the ingredients separate until serving, offer plenty of toppings, and everyone can build a Walking Taco exactly the way they like it.
Walking Taco Recipe
Walking tacos are a quick, fun meal featuring seasoned ground beef, crunchy Fritos, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and creamy fiesta ranch sour cream.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
- 1 pound ground beef (lean 93/7)
- ½ package taco seasoning
- ½ bags Fritos Corn Chips
- 8 ounces sour cream
- ¼ packet Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart with a masher or the base of a wooden spoon. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook until the beef is browned and cooked through.
- For the optional fiesta sour cream, combine the Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip mix with the sour cream until evenly blended.
- Fill individual chip bags with the seasoned ground beef, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fiesta sour cream, and any additional taco toppings you enjoy. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The fiesta ranch sour cream is optional; plain sour cream works well too.
- Add your favorite taco toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, jalapeños, or green onions.
- Serve immediately so the corn chips stay crunchy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
