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Walking tacos are a deconstructed taco in a bag! The bag acts as the shell holding the deliciously seasoned ground beef, crunchy chips, and all of your favorite toppings. It’s super fun to assemble and even more fun to eat!
If you’ve ever had frito pie, you’ll notice plenty of similarities with the taco meat combined with the crispy salty corn chips!
You eat walking taco chip bags with a fork (because there’s no shell to hold) so it allows you to walk, talk, and nibble at the same time!
Because it’s a portable way to enjoy a taco, it’s perfect for game day, quirky dinner parties, camping, and family movie nights! But, with how easy they are, they also make a great dinner for a busy weeknight.
You can see why they’re so popular at concession stands and as street food at fairs and festivals.
Making them at home is super simple and once you try this fun twist on regular tacos, they’re bound to become a party food staple at your house.
Why you’ll love Walking Taco Bags 🌮
Perfect party food – Everybody loves tacos, so you can’t go wrong with walking taco bags! Plus, they’re low carb so that’s going to please a few people no matter what 😉
Budget Friendly – The ingredients are inexpensive which is great for feeding a ton of people on a budget.
Easy Cleanup – Once you’ve filled your chip bags, the only clean-up is whatever you’ve used to make the filling. Serve it with disposable forks and everything gets tossed!
Equipment you’ll need
What is a walking taco made of?
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
- Lean Ground Beef: I always get lean ground beef (90/10) but 80/20 will work. You might have to drain it if there’s any excess grease.
- Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite taco seasoning. I always have a homemade taco seasoning on hand so I can control the ingredients.
- Black Beans: Drained and rinsed black beans help to bulk up the beef mixture with even more Mexican-inspired ingredients. Pinto beans can be used in place of black beans. If you have some leftover, try my black bean wraps!
- Salsa: This will be used in the taco meat mixture as well as a bit for the topping. If you want to try your hand at fresh homemade salsa, I highly recommend it!
- Snack Size Chips: 1-ounce chip bags are perfect for individual portions. I use Fritos (corn chips) here but Cool Ranch Doritos are also delicious!
- Shredded Cheese: Freshly grated cheese is always recommended, however, because we’re not trying to melt it, you can get away with packaged pre-shredded cheese.
- Lettuce: A fresh, crispy topping to add a slight of crunch.
- Sour Cream: Cool, creamy sour cream to finish off the taco bag!
How to make Walking Taco Bags
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Step One: Cook the ground beef and diced onions in a large skillet over medium heat. Use a meat masher or wooden spoon to break it apart into crumbles as it cooks. When it’s no longer pink, drain any excess grease.
- Step Two: Add the taco seasoning, black beans, and 1 cup of salsa into the skillet with the beef. Stir until everything is combined and heated through.
- Step Three: Open up a bag of corn chips and add two Tablespoons of taco meat. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa or homemade pico de gallo, and green onions. Enjoy!
To scale up for dinner: Use six 3.5 oz bags of chips and add 4 Tablespoons of meat mixture and toppings to each bag.
What to serve with Walking Taco Bags
This is a party food, so you’re going to need some party drinks to wash it down with. A pitcher of margaritas or this refreshing homemade lemonade should suffice!
You’re also going to need a few other fun recipes to include on your menu. I like to stick to the theme and use many of the same ingredients so nothing goes to waste!
Make an easy taco dip recipe, beefy rotel dip, cowboy caviar, or creamy salsa dip with a basket of homemade tortilla chips.
For even more ideas check out this list of easy Cinco de Mayo recipes for inspiration.
Tips & Suggestions 🌮
- You can either assemble the walking taco bags right away or leave the meat on warm in a slow cooker until you’re ready to serve.
- Set up a DIY walking taco bar with traditional taco toppings and have everyone fill their own bags!
- Substitute the cheddar cheese for something like Monterey Jack or Colby Jack. Use what you like!
- If frito chips aren’t your favorite, by all means, use different types of chips. Cheese Doritos or Cool Ranch would be a great way to switch up the flavors.
- For a spicy kick, swap the salsa you use in the taco filling with Rotel. It’s diced tomatoes and green chiles that can be mild or spicy.
- You can also add pickled sliced jalapenos as a topping for an extra kick.
How to store leftovers
The assembled walking taco bags are best eaten right away. If you do have leftover meat and toppings they can be stored separately in an airtight container.
How long will walking tacos last in the fridge?
The taco filling can last up to 4 days in the fridge when kept in an airtight container. The shredded cheese, the sour cream, and the salsa can all be kept in the fridge as well.
How to reheat taco filling
You can add the filling to a slow cooker and kept on the warm function until heated through. Or use a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.
FAQs
What are some other toppings I can add to the walking taco chip bags?
Basically, anything you’d throw on a taco, you can add to your chip bag! Things like cilantro, dice white onion, black olives, green olives, green chiles, nacho cheese, and guacamole.
What is another name for this walking taco recipe?
It’s sometimes also called Frito Pie. Although, when I make frito pie I use an actual chili recipe and add chips to it as well as melt cheese in it so it becomes more of a casserole. You should try that one too!
Can I use a different meat?
Definitely. This also works with ground chicken or ground turkey as well.
I’d also assume shredded chicken, pulled pork, brisket, or any type of meat you like in your tacos.
How to prepare the chip bag for walking tacos?
You don’t want to cut the bag too low otherwise it won’t hold all the toppings. Cut just below the seam.
Also, crush the chips a bit to make more room, then fold the rim to form a sturdy collar. It will help it stay open.
Easy Walking Tacos
Need more fun Mexican-inspired recipes? Try these:
Small Batch Chicken Enchiladas
Homemade Crunchwrap Supremes (Taco Bell Copycat)
Slow Cooker Queso Blanco (No Velveeta)
Click here for my entire collection of Mexican-Inspired recipes.
Easy Walking Taco Bags Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup onion diced
- 4 tablespoons taco seasoning one 1 ounce packet
- 15 ounces black beans
- 1 ½ cup salsa divided
- 10 snack size corn chip bags 1 ounce
- 1 cup cheese shredded
- 1 cup lettuce shredded
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup salsa
Instructions
- To a large skillet, over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onion and cook until no longer pink, breaking apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease, if needed.
- Add in the taco seasoning, black beans, and 1 cup of salsa. Stir until evenly distributed and heated through.
- Pour the meat mixture into a serving bowl or a slow cooker set to WARM.
- Take a 1-ounce bag of corn chips, add two tablespoons of taco meat, shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and green onions.
Notes
Try using Nacho Cheese Doritos or Cool Ranch to switch up the flavors. Additional topping options: Cilantro, pickled jalapenos, fresh jalapenos, guacamole, black olives, or green chiles. To scale up for a dinner, use six 3.5 ounce bags of chips. If using a 3.5 ounce bag, add 4 tablespoons of each; taco mixture, shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and green onions.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Love this it is good!
Very good…
Thanks Wanda!