This super-easy Walking Taco recipeis a fun, zesty dinner option that the whole family will go crazy for! Individual bags of chips make the perfect base for taco-seasoned beef and all your favorite toppings.
Cook the beef in a sauté pan over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink, breaking apart the meat as it cooks.
Add the taco seasoning and salsa and stir to combine. If needed, add the water and simmer until the meat is thickened. (Depending on the salsa you use, you may need to add water. Add the water if your meat is too dry/thick and you want to thin it out.)
Open the chip bags and allow everyone to assemble their walking tacos with the beef and all the optional toppings.
Notes
Storing: You won't really be able to refrigerate an assembled walking taco without it becoming mushy, but you can definitely store the seasoned beef! It will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 4 - 5 days, sealed in an airtight container. Warm it up in a covered skillet, or just in the microwave, before serving.
Freezing: Taco meat can be frozen in a freezer bag or airtight container for 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Crush the Chips: Not everyone loves it this way, but we personally like to lightly crush the chips before adding everything in. It makes a little more room in the bags and gives a better chip to toppings ratio!
Watch the Heat: Since these will be hand-held tacos in small chip bags, make sure your taco meat and any other warm toppings have cooled down a bit before you serve them. Piping hot toppings could burn if spilled, or even through the bag.
Meat: Ground chicken or turkey could also be used here, or you could make a meatless version with Mexican Beans, lentils, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, etc.
Chili Walking Tacos: This recipe is also amazing with your favorite Beef Chili in place of the taco meat. Yum!
Pulled Pork Walking Tacos: Yep, that’s right – throw some Pulled Pork on that walking taco for yet another twist!
Chicken Walking Tacos: Another fun option is to use my favorite Crockpot Salsa Chicken. The chicken goes especially well with white queso and lots of cilantro!
Sideways Bag: You can use a pair of scissors to cut the bag open sideways, instead of from the top. This will give you a wider, shallower walking taco with more room for toppings (but it will be slightly easier to spill).
Chip Variations: Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Funyuns, Ruffles... you can honestly make this with almost any chip, not just your typical corn chips. Use what you love! Keep in mind that thinner chips will soften up faster and lose their crunch.