Want a tasty, quick meal? Why not try yummy walking tacos? Easy to prepare and rich in flavor, they are an ideal meal option for people on the go or for outdoor activities with lots of movement.
While conventional walking tacos are served in the bag, you can prepare them without it.
Making tacos without the bag allows you to experiment with Fritos and Doritos chips. This article shows you how to go about it. So, let’s get into it.
What Are Walking Tacos?
Walking tacos are made up of chips, taco meat, and toppings. One crushes the chips in the bag. Most people use Fritos, but you can use any type of chips. Once crushed, you open the bag, and fill it with taco meat and your toppings.
This can be done in minutes, allowing you to roam around as you enjoy your favorite snack. And you don’t have to use plates or folks. But how do you make walking tacos without the bag? Let’s find out.
Ingredients
To make luscious walking tacos, you’ll need several ingredients to strike a balance between sourness and sweetness.
And the first ingredient on the table is a protein source, beef being the most common option. This is thanks to its rich and savory flavor.
An alternative to beef is chicken. You need to ensure it is cooked to perfection. The next must-have ingredient is taco seasoning.
To get that Mexican-inspired flavor, you’ll need species such as paprika, garlic powder, chili, and cumin powder.
This is in a bid to give your tacos a bold rich taste. Want to add a spark of color? Well, fresh vegetables are the way to go. Adding well-chopped tomatoes, zesty onions, lettuce, and crunchy greens will make your tacos pop.
Don’t be limited to the above veggies; you can experiment with whatever you have. The goal is to make the final product colorful.
Cheese is yet another ingredient to include. Here, you can opt for cheddar, Monterey jack, or pepper jack. Remember you can use just about any cheese, so long as you get that creamy texture.
In addition to cheese, add sour cream for a pleasant contrast. Want some heat and zest? Why not add hot sauce or salsa? Either will excite your taste buds, leaving you yearning for more.
To make walking tacos without the bag, you’ll need sturdy chips. They replace the bag, meaning they need to hold the other ingredients without getting soggy.
To recap, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Cooking oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped bell pepper (green or red)
- Chopped tomato
- 1 pound ground beef or chicken
- A packet of taco seasoning
- A cup of water
- 2 cups salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 bag Fritos or Doritos chips
How To Prepare Walking Tacos
Now that you know which ingredients to use, let’s look at the cooking process.
- First, you need to prepare the meat. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the 1 pound ground beef or chicken. Allow the meat to cook fully until it turns brown. You may break it into smaller pieces for an even texture.
- Once the meat is cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Next, add the chopped onion to the meat and saute for a few minutes until it becomes soft.
- To bolster the flavor, it is time to add the taco seasoning. Make sure to follow the instructions on the package. Now add ½ cup of water and simmer for a few minutes, ensuring the water is absorbed.
- The next step is to add the taco to the chips. Since you’ll not be using a bag, take a bowl and pour the Doritos or Fritos chips in it. They need to be sturdy enough to avoid getting soggy.
- Once evenly placed, take a spoon and spoon the seasoned meat over the chips. Make sure to spread the meat evenly. This will help you achieve a flavorful combination.
- For a more crunchy walking taco, add the chopped vegetables. Here, you can experiment with different variations. You can use tomatoes, green onions, crispy lettuce, or bell peppers. Get creative!
- Now all you need to do is sprinkle the shredded cheese that will blanket the hot, seasoned meat.
- For stellar texture and flavor, it is time to add sour cream and salsa sauce. Just place a cup of sour cream on one side and a cup of salsa sauce on the other side.
- Finally, mix all the ingredients together, ensuring they are evenly distributed. This will give a crunchy, sweet, yet sour tasteful walking taco.
As you can see, you don’t need the bag to make a delicious walking taco. Just get a bowl or plate, following the instructions above and you are good to go.
When To Serve Walking Tacos
Walking tacos are a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish ideal for many outdoor and indoor events.
Whether you are out camping or hanging out in the backyard, their ease of preparation and tastefulness will have everyone yearning for more.
You can also serve them during parties and casual gatherings where people want to socialize while having a snack. The same case applies to family dinners.
They allow everyone to customize their taco with different toppings, allowing for an adventurous eating experience.
What Are the Common Versions of Walking Tacos Without the Bag?
There are two main variations of taco casseroles: one with Doritos and the other with Fritos. Whichever version you pick, the preparation process is similar.
The difference is the type of chips. So, follow the instructions above. Other walking tacos without the bag recipes you can try include:
- Mac and cheese tuna casserole
- Sausage green bean potato recipe
- Overnight tater tot breakfast casserole
- Cheesy tuna noodle recipe
Can You Make Walking Tacos Without the Bag on Low Heat?
Yes, you can prepare taco casserole on low heat. Just brown the ground beef or chicken and onions in the skillet and then transfer it to a slow cooker.
After adding the sauce and seasoning, you should let it cook for 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high.
Once cooked, turn off the pot and add your Doritos or Fritos chips and cheese. Finally, place the lid and wait for the cheese to melt. Now, you can enjoy your mouthwatering taco casserole.
Final Thoughts
Well, this is how to make walking tacos without the bag. As you can see, it is easy and quick to make. You don’t need many ingredients and you can choose what to include.
Make sure the ground meat and chopped onions are browned before adding the other ingredients.
For vegetables, you can experiment with onions, bell peppers, hot peppers, lettuce, and jalapenos. In short, you need to be creative when making one.
Remember to let the cheese melt before serving. That way, you’ll enjoy a crunchy, mouthwatering walking taco.