Easy Walking Tacos Recipe: That Anyone Can Make!


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Have you ever heard of a “walking taco”? If not, you’re missing out! Walking tacos are a new trend that turns a simple snack into a tasty lunch or fun appetizer for parties and get-togethers. So today I’m going to be sharing my easy walking tacos recipe that my family and I absolutely love!

Featuring one of the most popular snacks, Doritos, this takes your chips to the next level! Keep reading for a recipe that is sure to rock your world!

taco night, tailgate, party food taco tuesday

Great for summer celebrations, birthday parties, taco nights, tailgate parties, and more!

It’s that time of year again! Soon, school will be starting and summer will be coming to an end. Whether you’re celebrating your last few weeks of freedom with a party, making these as a delicious camping snack, or planning family grab-and-go meals for sports activities, this recipe is sure to be a hit!

This is an easy way to elevate a relatively inexpensive snack into a fun version of taco night! The best part about this recipe is that you can easily substitute it with any of your favorite chips to snack on. Great as a meal or dress up a boring snack and make it more interesting, fun, and filling!

Pro Tip: Check to see if chips are on sale near you. The individual bags can sometimes cost more because you’re paying for the convenience, but occasionally you’ll be able to find a deal or coupon for them! I find the small ones in dollar-type stores for a quarter all the time.

You can add as many toppings as you’d like to make these walking tacos exactly the way you’d like! You’ll want to make sure you’re making them right before you serve them. This isn’t one of those set-it-and-forget-it appetizer recipes! If you leave them sitting for too long, your chips could potentially get soggy—and nobody likes soggy chips!

Now, get your ingredients ready, and let’s make this easy walking tacos recipe so you can see what a breeze it is!

This easy walking tacos recipe is a fun and easy appetizer that is great for all kinds of parties!

Easy Walking Tacos Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4 Individual Dorito’s Bags
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded Fiesta blend cheese
  • 4 tbsp sour cream
  • 1/2 lb cooked taco-seasoned meat of choice
  • 1 cup diced tomato
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup diced green and red peppers

Open the bags of chips right before serving to decorate them with the toppings!

Serve immediately with a fork for easy enjoyment!

Sometimes I prefer buying ‘fresh’ store-bought salsa in the refrigerated section near produce instead. It comes in hot and mild. It’s fresh diced tomatoes, onion, cilantro, mild or hot peppers. It’s pretty amazing stuff! Perfect shortcut for tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more.

This recipe is designed for 4 servings but you could easily make as many as you wanted to!

Variations and Tips for Walking Tacos

Walking tacos are incredibly versatile, and you can easily customize them to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Here are some exciting variations and additional tips to elevate your walking tacos experience:

Walking Taco Variations:

  1. Different Chips: While Doritos are a classic choice, you can experiment with other types of chips. Try using Fritos, plain tortilla chips, or even flavored potato chips for a unique twist.
  2. Protein Options: Instead of traditional taco-seasoned ground beef, consider using:
    • Shredded Chicken: Cook chicken breast with taco seasoning, shred it, and use it as a topping.
    • Pulled Pork: Add a barbecue twist with some pulled pork.
    • Vegetarian/Vegan: Substitute meat with seasoned black beans, pinto beans, or a plant-based meat alternative.
  3. Additional Toppings: Mix and match your favorite toppings such as:
    • Black olives
    • Jalapeños
    • Avocado or guacamole
    • Corn kernels
    • Hot sauce or salsa verde

Recipe Tips:

  • Prepping Ahead: While you should assemble walking tacos just before serving, you can prep all the toppings ahead of time. Store them in separate containers in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.
  • Taco Bar: Set up a walking taco bar for your next party. Lay out all the toppings and let your guests build their own walking tacos. It’s a fun and interactive way to serve food!
  • Serving Size: If you’re hosting a large group, consider using larger bags of chips and creating a “walking taco platter” that can be shared among several people.

Side Recipes to Complement Walking Tacos:

If walking tacos isn’t quite enough for your family’s dinner (I get it I have teenagers too!) then you might want to add another Mexican side to your walking tacos. These are 4 simple recipes that you can try to help turn your walking tacos into an authentic Mexican food experience.

(My fav is the Street corn).

Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Ingredients:

  • 4 ears of corn, husked
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as a substitute)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, and a pinch of salt.
  4. Brush the mixture evenly over each ear of corn.
  5. Sprinkle with cotija cheese, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
  6. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
  7. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

Guacamole and Chips

Ingredients:

  • 3 ripe avocados
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Tortilla chips for serving

Instructions:

  1. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a mixing bowl.
  2. Mash the avocado with a fork to your desired consistency.
  3. Add lime juice and salt, and mix well.
  4. Stir in the diced onion, chopped cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic.
  5. If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of ground cayenne pepper.
  6. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Refried Beans

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Add the pinto beans, ground cumin, and chili powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Pour in the vegetable broth or water and bring to a simmer. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the beans to your desired consistency.
  6. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. If desired, sprinkle with shredded cheese before serving.

Mason Jar Taco Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • Tortilla chips, crumbled

Instructions:

  1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Add the taco seasoning and water according to the package instructions. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
  3. Let the meat cool slightly.
  4. In mason jars, layer the ingredients starting with the salsa at the bottom to keep the lettuce from getting soggy. Follow with black beans, corn, taco meat, cherry tomatoes, avocado, shredded cheese, and shredded lettuce.
  5. Top with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt and crumbled tortilla chips.
  6. Seal the jars and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. When ready to eat, shake the jar to mix the ingredients.

Note: If your family loves these recipes as much as mine you might want to check out my Mason jar Chicken Taco Salad Recipe as well!

Walking tacos are not just a meal; they’re an experience! With so many ways to customize and enjoy, they’re bound to become a favorite in your household. Happy munching!

Hannah R

Hi, my name is Hannah and I'm the founder of Barefoot Budgeting. This site is dedicated to one thing... helping you! Whether it is making a budget, saving money using DIY projects, or even saving by helping you with my favorite recipes I will cover it all! If it helps you save money in your life I want to help!

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