Walking tacos are a fun, portable way to eat tacos on the go! Load up a bag of chips with seasoned beef and your favorite toppings—no plates required. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or game day!

Fritos walking taco in focus with toppings like shredded cheese, beans, sour cream, and lettuce.

There are so many ways to use the elements of delicious tacos in a recipe mash-up like big mac tacos, taco lasagna, and taco pasta casserole, but the walking tacos recipe may just be the most clever one yet.

To make walking taco bags, we use little bags of Doritos or Fritos, add seasoned taco meat and all your favorite toppings, and then take them on the go! Think of it as the bag replacing the taco shell. You can also crush up the chips and eat the whole thing with a fork, which provides the crunch of a hard taco shell without the mess!

They’re so much fun and a hit for parties and game days. This recipe makes enough for 6 bags, but you could easily double or triple the recipe as needed.

Set up a walking taco station and set up the bags. Have the meat and your favorite taco toppings ready to scoop in there so that everyone can make their own.

Why you’ll love this recipe

It’s a quick, easy, and fun way to enjoy tacos!
Kids love them (so do the adults).
Minimal cleanup—just toss the bags.
Customizable with your favorite toppings.
Great for feeding a group.

Ingredients for Walking Taco Bags

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Walking taco ingredients including shredded cheese, taco seasoning, raw ground beef, shredded lettuce, black beans, diced tomatoes, and several unopened bags of Doritos and Fritos.

Small chip bars – Fritos, Doritos, or other corn chips or tortilla chips work best.
Lean ground beef – Less grease and easier cleanup.
Taco seasoning and water – Use the amount listed on the seasoning packet (usually ~2/3 cup).
Your choice of toppings – Shredded lettuce, black beans, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, pico de gallo or salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream, nacho cheese, sliced green onion, cilantro, black olives, guacamole, etc.

How to Make Easy Walking Tacos Recipe

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Four-step image showing how to make walking tacos. Step 1: cooked taco-seasoned ground beef in a skillet. Step 2: open bags of Fritos and Doritos. Step 3: bags filled with meat and black beans. Step 4: bags topped with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and tomatoes.

Step 1: Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Break it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.

Step 2: Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Mix to combine and let that simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The seasoning and water will thicken and coat the meat.

Step 3: Take your bags of Fritos and Doritos and gently open them, tearing the tops open without ripping them. Roll the edges down so it creates a sturdier “bowl” to eat from.

Step 4: Divide the ground beef mixture into each of the chip bags and pile on your favorite toppings. Hand out forks and enjoy your tacos on the go!

Multiple walking tacos served in open bags of Fritos and Doritos, filled with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, lettuce, black beans, and sour cream.

Pro Tip:

If your bags don’t stand up right, you can use taco holders or small bowls to prop them up, if needed.

Storage

Refrigerator: Once these walking taco bags are assembled, they are meant to be eaten immediately. If you have taco meat leftover, you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze taco meat in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

How to Reheat: Whether you’ve meal prepped and made the meat ahead, or you’re reheating leftovers, you’ll want to use either the microwave or the skillet to heat it through. Adding a splash of water can help loosen up the seasoning.

Recipe Tips

Prep toppings ahead and refrigerate until serving.
Double or triple the recipe as needed for a larger crowd.
To easy drain the grease from your beef, tilt the pan slightly to the side and use a paper towel to soak up any excess grease.
Great for parties! Set up a walking taco bar and let everyone build their own.
Customize the toppings based on what you have or what your guests like.

Additions and variations

Swap the meat. Try ground turkey, ground chicken, or leftover chili.
Make it vegetarian. Use black beans, pinto beans, or a meatless taco filling.
Try it with chili. If you have leftover chili in the fridge, use it!
Use different chips: Cool Ranch, Spicy Doritos, or even plain tortilla chips.
Add heat: Include jalapeños, hot sauce, or spicy salsa.

Several walking tacos in chip bags with toppings.

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Fritos walking tacos with toppings like shredded cheese, beans, sour cream, and lettuce.

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