Walking Tacos Recipe

Ground beef: The main protein component, providing a hearty and savory base for the tacos.

Taco seasoning: A blend of spices that adds the classic taco flavor to the ground beef.

Corn chips: The crunchy base for the walking tacos, typically served in individual bags for convenience.

Shredded lettuce: Adds a fresh, crisp texture to the tacos.

Diced tomatoes: Provides a juicy and slightly acidic contrast to the seasoned beef.

Shredded cheese: Melts slightly over the warm beef, adding a creamy and rich flavor.

Sour cream: Adds a tangy and creamy element to balance the spices.

Salsa: Brings a burst of flavor and a bit of heat to the tacos.

When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small, even pieces to ensure it cooks evenly. This will help the taco seasoning distribute more uniformly throughout the meat, enhancing the overall flavor of your walking tacos.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor when seasoned properly.

• taco seasoning - Substitute with homemade spice mix: Combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt for a fresh and customizable seasoning.

• corn chips - Substitute with tortilla chips: Tortilla chips offer a similar crunch and can be found in various flavors to add a unique twist.

• shredded lettuce - Substitute with baby spinach: Baby spinach provides a similar texture and adds extra nutrients to the dish.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with salsa fresca: Salsa fresca (fresh salsa) includes tomatoes along with onions, cilantro, and lime juice for added flavor.

• shredded cheese - Substitute with crumbled queso fresco: Queso fresco offers a mild, creamy texture that complements the other ingredients well.

• sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is a healthier alternative with a similar tangy flavor and creamy consistency.

• salsa - Substitute with pico de gallo: Pico de gallo is a fresh, chunky salsa that adds a vibrant and zesty flavor to the tacos.

• Allow the ground beef to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the corn chips soggy.

• Store the seasoned ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

• Keep the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa in separate containers in the refrigerator. This ensures that each ingredient maintains its texture and flavor.

• For longer storage, freeze the seasoned ground beef. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

• When ready to use, thaw the ground beef in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

• Avoid freezing the corn chips, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and salsa as they do not freeze well and can lose their texture and flavor.

• To reassemble, follow the original recipe instructions, ensuring each ingredient is fresh and properly prepared.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the leftover ground beef on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Meanwhile, keep the corn chips separate to maintain their crunch.
• For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the ground beef in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated thoroughly. Again, keep the corn chips separate.
• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the ground beef in a small, oven-safe dish and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method helps retain some of the original texture.
• To reheat the corn chips, spread them on a baking sheet and place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. This will help them regain their crunchiness.
• For the toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa, it's best to keep them fresh and add them just before serving. If you must reheat the shredded cheese, sprinkle it over the ground beef during the last few minutes of reheating.

• Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the ground beef over medium heat.

• Spatula: A tool used for stirring and breaking up the ground beef while it cooks.

• Measuring cup: Used to measure out the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa.

• Colander: Used to drain the excess fat from the cooked ground beef.

• Mixing bowl: Optional, for mixing the taco seasoning with the ground beef if you prefer not to do it directly in the skillet.

• Can opener: If your salsa comes in a can, this tool will be necessary.

• Knife: Used for dicing the tomatoes and shredding the lettuce if not pre-shredded.

• Cutting board: A surface for safely cutting and dicing the vegetables.

• Spoon: Used for spooning the seasoned beef into each bag of chips.

• Fork: Provided to each person for eating the walking tacos.

• Serving spoon: Useful for distributing the toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and salsa into the bags.

Pre-cook the beef: Cook the ground beef ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Reheat when ready to assemble.

Prep toppings in advance: Dice tomatoes and shred lettuce and cheese the night before. Store them in separate containers.

Use pre-shredded cheese: Save time by buying pre-shredded cheese instead of shredding it yourself.

Simplify seasoning: Mix the taco seasoning with the ground beef in bulk and store it for future use.

Organize your workspace: Lay out all ingredients and utensils before you start cooking to streamline the process.