Walking Tacos are a fun, portable twist on a classic taco dish. Perfect for parties, picnics, or a quick meal, this recipe features seasoned taco meat served in individual bags of chips, creating a convenient and customizable meal everyone will love.

FULL RECIPE

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 small bags of tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup diced onions
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup salsa
• Optional: jalapeños, olives, or other toppings

Directions

1. Brown the ground beef (or turkey) in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks.
2. Drain any excess grease and stir in the taco seasoning mix.
3. Add the water and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld.
4. While the meat cooks, prepare the toppings: shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes and onions, and gather the cheese and sour cream.
5. Carefully open the bags of tortilla chips without crushing them.
6. Spoon the taco meat into the chip bags, filling each bag about halfway.
7. Top the meat with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, and salsa, or any additional toppings of your choice.
8. Serve the walking tacos immediately, allowing everyone to mix their ingredients right in the bag.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 20g
• Carbs: 30g
• Fat: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg

The History of Walking Tacos

Walking tacos have gained popularity over the years as a convenient and creative way to enjoy tacos on the go. While their exact origins are unclear, the concept of eating tacos from a bag can be traced back to taco trucks and street vendors in the United States, where portability was key. These portable tacos were first seen in places like fairs and outdoor festivals, where people needed a quick and easy way to eat without the mess. The idea was simple: instead of a taco shell, use a bag of chips as the vessel for all the toppings, creating a fun and interactive eating experience.

Why Are Walking Tacos So Popular?

Walking tacos are beloved for their convenience and versatility. Whether you’re at a picnic, tailgate, or family gathering, this dish allows people to eat without the need for plates or utensils. The concept makes them a favorite choice for busy families, parties, and even fundraisers. Their customizable nature also makes them a crowd-pleaser, as everyone can personalize their walking taco to their own tastes, choosing from a variety of toppings such as cheese, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. The crunchy chips provide a satisfying texture that complements the savory meat and fresh toppings.

Versatility in Protein Choices

One of the best aspects of walking tacos is the variety of proteins that can be used to create the base. While ground beef is the traditional choice, walking tacos can be made with a range of proteins such as ground turkey, chicken, or even vegetarian options like black beans or tofu. This makes the recipe adaptable for people with different dietary preferences or restrictions, allowing everyone to enjoy the dish. Each protein choice brings its unique flavor and texture, offering something for everyone at the table.

Choosing the Right Chips

The type of chips you use for walking tacos is crucial to the overall experience. Tortilla chips are the traditional base, but there are plenty of other options to explore, such as nacho cheese chips, cool ranch chips, or even multigrain or sweet potato chips for a healthier twist. The choice of chips will influence the flavor profile of the dish, so it’s important to choose chips that complement your toppings and seasonings. A sturdier chip, like classic tortilla chips, works best to hold the weight of the meat and toppings without breaking apart.

Building Layers of Flavor

While the chips and taco meat serve as the base for a walking taco, the true magic comes from the toppings. The ability to customize each walking taco allows you to experiment with different flavors and textures. Start with the classic toppings of shredded cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes, then add a dollop of sour cream and a spoonful of salsa for a tangy and creamy contrast to the savory meat. For extra flavor, consider adding guacamole, jalapeños, olives, or even a sprinkle of chili powder or hot sauce for heat.

The Role of Fresh Ingredients

To elevate the flavors of your walking tacos, it’s essential to use fresh ingredients. Freshly shredded lettuce provides a crunchy texture and bright green color that contrasts nicely with the warm taco meat. Fresh tomatoes add a burst of juiciness and sweetness, balancing out the savory elements of the dish. When it comes to garnishes like onions or cilantro, using freshly chopped produce can significantly improve the overall taste of your walking tacos, making each bite refreshing and flavorful.

The Importance of Taco Seasoning

The seasoning of the taco meat is key to ensuring that your walking tacos have a burst of flavor in every bite. Store-bought taco seasoning mixes are convenient, but homemade taco seasoning allows you to customize the spice level and adjust the flavors to suit your tastes. A blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika can be used to create a savory, slightly smoky seasoning mix. Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes can bring some heat to the dish if desired.

Making Walking Tacos for a Crowd

Walking tacos are an excellent choice for feeding a large group of people without too much hassle. The ingredients are easy to prepare in bulk, and each person can assemble their own walking taco, making it a fun and interactive meal. This makes walking tacos a popular option for parties, barbecues, and family gatherings. Set up a taco bar with all the toppings, and let guests build their own bags of taco goodness. The customizable nature of the dish ensures that everyone can enjoy a taco to their liking.

Healthy Walking Taco Alternatives

For those looking to make walking tacos a bit healthier, there are plenty of substitutions you can make without sacrificing flavor. Instead of using traditional chips, you could opt for baked tortilla chips or even veggie chips to lower the fat content. For a lighter protein option, ground chicken or turkey can replace the beef. You can also add more vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or avocado to increase the nutritional value of the dish. The key to creating a healthier walking taco is to make simple swaps that maintain the deliciousness while reducing calories and fat.

Walking Tacos for Kids

Walking tacos are a favorite among kids because of their interactive nature and customizable components. Kids can have fun building their own tacos, choosing exactly what toppings they want. The small serving size of each walking taco makes it perfect for little hands, and the crunchy chips are always a hit with younger eaters. Walking tacos can be a great way to introduce children to cooking, as they can help assemble the dish and learn about the different ingredients used in the recipe.

Making Walking Tacos in Advance

While walking tacos are typically a dish that’s assembled just before serving, it’s possible to prepare some of the components in advance to save time. The taco meat can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, simply heat it up and assemble the walking tacos. Pre-chopping the toppings, such as lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, can also save time and reduce last-minute stress. This makes walking tacos an ideal option for busy weeknights or large gatherings.

The Appeal of Walking Tacos at Parties

Walking tacos have become a go-to dish for parties because they offer a hassle-free and fun eating experience. They’re portable, easy to serve, and can be customized for any dietary preference or taste. Whether it’s a birthday party, Super Bowl Sunday, or a backyard barbecue, walking tacos provide a festive and interactive meal that guests can enjoy while mingling. The build-your-own concept also allows guests to tailor their tacos to their own preferences, making it a versatile choice for any gathering.

Gluten-Free Walking Tacos

For those who follow a gluten-free diet, walking tacos can still be enjoyed with a few simple modifications. Gluten-free tortilla chips are widely available and provide a crisp, crunchy base for the tacos. Be sure to choose a gluten-free taco seasoning mix or make your own from scratch to avoid any gluten-containing ingredients. You can also choose gluten-free toppings like shredded cheese, salsa, and sour cream to ensure that your walking tacos are safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

Vegetarian and Vegan Walking Tacos

Vegetarian and vegan variations of walking tacos are easy to create by swapping out the meat for plant-based proteins. Black beans, refried beans, or crumbled tofu can all serve as excellent substitutes for the traditional taco meat. To make the recipe fully vegan, be sure to use dairy-free toppings such as vegan cheese, dairy-free sour cream, and plant-based salsa. These substitutions allow you to enjoy the flavors of walking tacos while catering to different dietary needs.

Walking Tacos for Meal Prep

If you’re looking to prepare a quick lunch or dinner during the week, walking tacos can be a great option for meal prep. Prepare the taco meat, chop the toppings, and portion them into individual containers for easy grab-and-go meals. When it’s time to eat, just heat up the taco meat and assemble your walking taco with the chips and toppings. This makes walking tacos an easy, portable meal that can be enjoyed on busy weekdays.

International Variations of Walking Tacos

While walking tacos are typically associated with American cuisine, there are variations of the dish that can be found around the world. In Mexico, tacos are often served in a similar handheld fashion, but instead of chips, the tacos are served in soft corn tortillas. Some cultures use different spices and fillings, such as barbacoa or carnitas, to make the taco experience unique to their cuisine. By incorporating international flavors into your walking taco recipe, you can experiment with different ingredients and create exciting fusion dishes.

Conclusion

Walking tacos have earned their place as a favorite dish for many, thanks to their ease of preparation, versatility, and fun factor. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing a meal for your family, or enjoying a quick snack, this customizable taco variation allows you to get creative with flavors and ingredients. From different protein choices to unique toppings, walking tacos can be adapted to fit any taste or dietary need. They also provide a hands-on experience, making them ideal for gatherings and family meals.