Sometimes it is the most simple of ideas that makes you slap your forehead and say, “Duh… why didn’t I think of that?” That is how I feel about this recipe for Walking Tacos. Such a simple idea, inspired by a day at the county fair.
School will be starting again in just a short few weeks, which means that our schedules go from just slightly hectic to crazy always rushing around and hurrying out the door hectic. This holds true for dinnertime during the school year too, which usually has to be eaten around the table really late at night or snatched to eat on the go in the car. I will be 100% honest when I say I value family meal time more than just about any other ritual in our home, but as my kids get older and more involved in extracurricular activities, I recognize that a sit down dinner with all 6 of us together just isn’t going to happen every night. The next best thing is a home cooked meal that can be eaten on the go.
No, these walking tacos aren’t the healthiest of options, but I bet they are better than what you can get when you make a visit to your friendly neighborhood drive through. Plus, you can add beans, corn, veggies… you can add all kids of things to sneak some healthy into your bag.
The next time you are tempted to just give your kid another sandwich as you walk out the door to the next event, think again and think inside the bag… Walking Tacos. A delicious and hearty dinner that is about as super simple as you can get!
Recipe: Walking Tacos
- 1 pound lean ground beef, crumbled, browned and fat drained
- 1 package taco seasoning (or I make my own with this recipe here)
- 3 Tbs water
- 1 can Bush’s Black Beans, drained
- 6 individual sized bags of Doritos or Fritos chips
- Shredded Lettuce
- Shredded Cheese
- Diced Tomatoes
- Diced Avocados
- Sour Cream
- Basically whatever you like to put on top of tacos or taco salad
Directions:
- With your browned grown beef still in the skillet, add the Bush’s black beans, 3 Tbs of water and your taco seasoning. Heat through.
- Gently take each individual bag of chips and crush the chips. Once the chips are crushed, cut open the top of the bag.
- Scoop your taco meat/bean mixture into the bag. Top with your favorite toppings…tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, avocados, sour cream…whatever your heart desires.
- Take a spoon and stir your chips / taco meat creation together
- Head out the door with your walking taco bag in your hand and a spoon and enjoy a hearty dinner on the run!
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These walking tacos sound sooooo good. So creative to be eaten out of the bag. Girl, you are good! xo
How fun! We do this with Fritos and chili for tailgating – so easy and NO DISHES! A mom after my own heart
How cute is this idea?!?! I love it!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking´s last [type] ..Chocolate Mousse Pie
That is such a great idea. Although I might forgo the chip bag and use sandwich baggies instead…
Crystal’s Cozy Kitchen´s last [type] ..Menu- July 19-25
OMG! this is totally genius–I wish I’d known about it when I was still in grade school. Can I please come to your house for dinner? I can take it to-go. ;-P
Steph (Desserts for Breakfast)´s last [type] ..Olallieberry Extra Dark Mocha Cupcakes with Candied Cacao Nibs
what a smart idea – i love it. i make a taco salad with doritos and it didn’t even dawn on me to do this. you are a genius!!
pickycook´s last [type] ..sweet & salty cake
BRILLIANT!! Can’t wait to try this! Thanks for a great idea!
Shanna ~ My Favorite Everything´s last [type] ..road trips a favorite thing
Love this! My kids came home from camp, telling me all about ! Genious, pure genious!
Oh my gosh I LOVED walking tacos as a kid! They served them in our concession stand in high school. They are so fun!
Jessica @ How Sweet´s last [type] ..The Cookie Room
our school made these for a big fund raiser, back to school, open house / fair a while back. the kids loved them. cheers!
12th Man´s last [type] ..Thought of the Day
If my daughter were still at home I can see her taking this enroute to volleyball games.
What a great idea! Great photos too!
Very innovative!
I’m having a giveaway at my food blog, check it out here http://atasteofkoko.blogspot.com/2010/07/ximending-giveaway.html
Jane Ko´s last [type] ..西門町 Ximending & giveaway
They sold these at the snack stand at my high school football games (sometimes topped with chili and toppings). We were the Chargers. They called them Chargeritos!!! So yummy. Takes me back to more simple times
I love the creativity of this recipe! When school starts back up we are in the same boat as you with activities and dinner on the run. I’ll be trying to gain some family dinner time whenever I can – it’s something I value as well!
patsyk´s last [type] ..Ellie Krieger- So Easy- Garlic-Basil Shrimp
Great idea!!! And yeah, why didn’t I think of that?
Amy from She Wears Many Hats´s last [type] ..Sleep Training
YUM!
We had a taco casserole last night that this kind of reminds me of, except not in a bag. It looked gross but was actually really good. Layer of crushed chips, then refried beans (black or pinto), then taco meat and sauteed onion, then cheddar cheese, then a homemade red chile enchilada sauce, then more crushed chips. You back till it’s all bubbly and then serve topped with all your favorite taco toppings. I made it just because I had a bunch of almost stale tortilla chips to use up, but I think I’ll actually make it again. Now, if I could just make it look appealing for a photo!
Katie @ goodLife {eats}´s last [type] ..No-Bake Grilled Vegetable Lasagna
That’s an adorable idea, one my grandkids would go for in a minute!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)´s last [type] ..Vanilla extract Recipe- whole wheat lemon-lime yogurt cupcakes
My mom gave up on every night family dinners once I entered high school…it just gets to be too stressful! I love this as an alternative to takeout or the drive through…definitely healthier!
Joanne´s last [type] ..Linguine with Raw Tomato Sauce
It’s really rare that I’m truly bowled over by an idea and today you’ve done that! This is one of the most clever things I’ve seen in a long time. I can’t imagine any child that wouldn’t be crazy about this! Great job.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme´s last [type] ..Layered Mediterranean Salad
I’m totally smitten with this idea!
Rae´s last [type] ..Quick and Easy Lunch Idea
Do you think this would work with a jumbo bag of Doritos?
This really is a clever idea. I bet this would be a big hit at a slumber party or a pool party, as long as you make sure you emphasize the “walking” part. In other words, “Get out of the house to eat that!” LOL
I thought this looked so good that I shared the link with my facebook friends. This looks like such a quick meal on the go. Thanks for sharing.
I first saw this at a school carnival. I thought it was ridiculously unhealthy, overpriced, messy but BRILLIANT! It was awesome! I’ve never made it here because we don’t often have chips at the house but it’s a very cool idea. It would be fun for a sleepover or something, the kids would get a kick out of it, thanks!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy´s last [type] ..Everything Kids Cookbook – Cinnamon Apples & Broccoli- Ham & Cheese Potato
What a cool concept. I’ve had frito pie in a bag but never tacos in a bag. Ingenious!
Melissa´s last [type] ..The Burbs & Blueberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake
I never grew up with these, but have heard of frito pies (only in my adulthood though)…but I love the idea of using Doritos with taco salad fixings. I should try this for my kids and make a picnic out of it with them. =) Fun post!
Rachelle´s last [type] ..Cookbook Review and Giveaway- My New Orleans- The Cookbook by John Besh- Beignets
Amazing idea! I think my kids would love this!
Double Dipped Life´s last [type] ..The ABC Food Challenge! Week 2
My family will love this idea! While on summer vacation my nephew came up with the idea of tiny taco’s using “Scoop” taco shells filled with spiced ground beef and top with gooey cheese & ketchup! Young children luv the bite size pieces and it’s a game to see how many they can eat.
Charlotte´s last [type] ..Details- Details- Details
Oddly enough this combo actually sounds good. I like how to the chips act as the taco shell.
Kristin @ Holy Cannoli Recipes´s last [type] ..Wilton Course Two Class Three
What a brilliant idea!
This is such a fab idea!!
Ha! just saw that Deborah above has said the same things :/
That is such a fun way to serve dinner to kids. Very cute!
bunkycooks´s last [type] ..The Daring Bakers’ Challenge – Chocolate Swiss Swirl Cake with “Liquored Up” Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream!
they serve them at a venue here where lots of fundraisers are held. we call them “hobo nachos”- really funny to see people all dressed up eating out of a bag
Oh, too fun and too yummy!
Great post, Kristen!
Walking tacos are all over the hockey rinks here in the winter. Yours look gorgeous!
Shaina´s last [type] ..Weekly Dinner Menu- 7-26-10
This is genius.
Also, you know what would be RIDICULOUS with this? Those Doritos taco-flavoured chips. They taste just like a taco! You can taste the lettuce and everything! And this would be… a TACO-FLAVOURED TACO. Can you imagine.
camille´s last [type] ..Parmesan Parsley Bread
Nice post and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you on your information.
Hey now that is out of this world delicious! Great idea.
Nate @ House of Annie´s last [type] ..Steamed Chicken Wings with Taro and Mushroom
These are good, they sell these from the concession stand at our kids’ football games
Amanda´s last [type] ..Spiderman Cake and Homemade Marshmallow Fondant
Aren’t these great? We have been serving these at our concession stand at football games for years, but I have never seen a written recipe. Thanks for yours.
The Teacher Cooks´s last [type] ..Pan-Grilled Salmon with Red Pepper Salsa
this is what us New Mexicans call Frito Pie been around for decades!
wow that is such a gewd idea i llllove it we are makeing it in school tomorrow an i bet it is going to be so yummyyyyy an the person who thought of this is genious an so smatr an thank you for the idea
oh an i love the idea an i definatley wont be only eating this once an thats for sureeee!!!!!!!!!
Golf
I love these but I still have yet to make them. Putting it on my todo list.
Jersey Girl Cooks´s last [type] ..Mexican Rice Salad
Cute idea for little children but honestly, it’s not practical for older children. It doesn’t serve enough. This isn’t going to fill growing boys’ stomachs. Just keep that in mind when choosing this recipe.
I know it’s a great, simple recipe since my son has done it at Boy Scout campouts for a dinner!!
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