Walking Taco Bar at Camp

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Beef (for kids, 80/20 lean)
• 1 lb Ground Beef (for adults, 80/20 lean)
• 4 tbsp Taco Seasoning Blend (store‑bought or homemade "hussy" blend)
• 1 cup Black Beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
• 1 each Onion (yellow, diced for adult meat)
• 2 cups Lettuce (iceberg, shredded)
• 1 each Tomato (large, diced)
• 1 each Jalapeno (sliced, seeds removed)
• 1 each Lime (cut into wedges)
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
• 2 cups Doritos Nacho Cheese (crushed into bite‑size pieces)
• 0.5 cup Newman's Own Salsa (any salsa you like)
• 0.5 cup Sour Cream (for topping)
• 2 tbsp Hot Sauce (Hank's or any preferred hot sauce)
• to taste pinch Salt (optional)
• to taste pinch Pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Rinse Vegetables

   Use the portable rinse kit to spray and clean all fresh vegetables (lettuce, tomato, jalapeno, lime, onion).

   Time: PT5M

2. Shred Lettuce

   Using the serrated knife, shred the lettuce into fine strips.

   Time: PT3M

3. Dice Tomato

   Dice the tomato into roughly ½‑inch cubes.

   Time: PT3M

4. Slice Jalapeno

   Slice the jalapeno thinly and discard the seeds for milder heat.

   Time: PT2M

5. Cut Lime Wedges

   Slice the lime into 4 wedges for squeezing over the tacos.

   Time: PT2M

6. Dice Onion

   Dice the onion finely; it will be mixed into the adult meat.

   Time: PT3M

7. Preheat Griddle

   Turn the Blackstone griddle to medium‑high heat and let it reach about 375°F.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 375°F

8. Cook Kids' Beef

   Place 1 lb of ground beef on the left side of the griddle. Sprinkle 2 tbsp taco seasoning, add 2 tbsp water, and crumble. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked, about 8 minutes.

   Time: PT8M

   Temperature: 375°F

9. Cook Adult Beef

   On the right side, add the remaining 1 lb ground beef. Season with 2 tbsp taco seasoning, then add the diced onion, rinsed black beans, and 2 tbsp water. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the beans are heated through, about 10 minutes.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: 375°F

10. Crush Doritos

    Place Doritos in a large zip‑top bag and gently crush with your hands until they are broken into bite‑size pieces.

    Time: PT2M

11. Prepare Taco Bags

    Cut the side of each Doritos “taco bag” open (instead of the top) for easier eating.

    Time: PT2M

12. Assemble Walking Tacos

    Fill each opened bag with the appropriate meat (kids’ plain beef or adult beef‑bean mix). Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapeno (optional), extra onion (adult), a squeeze of lime, a spoonful of salsa, a dollop of sour cream, a drizzle of hot sauce, and a pinch of extra taco seasoning.

    Time: PT5M

13. Serve

    Enjoy the walking tacos immediately while the griddle is still warm.

    Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

520

Protein

28 g

Carbohydrates

45 g

Fat

22 g

Fiber

6 g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Ground Beef: ground turkey, ground chicken
• Instead of Ground Beef: ground turkey, ground chicken
• Instead of Taco Seasoning Blend: chili powder mix, fajita seasoning
• Instead of Black Beans: pinto beans, kidney beans
• Instead of Onion: white onion, shallots
• Instead of Lettuce: romaine, cabbage
• Instead of Tomato: cherry tomatoes, halved
• Instead of Jalapeno: serrano pepper, mild banana pepper
• Instead of Lime: lemon
• Instead of Cheddar Cheese: Monterey Jack, Mexican cheese blend
• Instead of Doritos Nacho Cheese: tortilla chips, corn chips
• Instead of Newman's Own Salsa: pico de gallo, salsa verde
• Instead of Sour Cream: Greek yogurt, dairy‑free sour cream
• Instead of Hot Sauce: Tabasco, sriracha

Equipment Needed

• Blackstone Griddle
• Portable Rinse Kit
• Serrated Knife
• Chef's Knife
• Cutting Board
• Spatula
• Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Spoons
• Tongs
• Serving Bowls
• Spoon

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Keep the kids' and adults' meat completely separate on the griddle.
• Rinse canned black beans before adding to the adult meat.
• Crush Doritos only lightly to retain crunch.

Chef Tips from the Video

• Set out all toppings in individual bowls so each camper can customize their taco.
• A quick squeeze of fresh lime over the assembled taco brightens all flavors.
• If you like extra crunch, add a handful of crushed tortilla chips on top just before serving.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Store any leftover cooked meat, chopped veggies, and toppings in airtight containers for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Cooked meat can be frozen in zip‑top bags for up to 2 months; thaw before reheating on the griddle.

Room temperature: Unopened Doritos and dry seasonings can be kept at room temperature for several months.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Shred lettuce, dice tomato, and slice jalapeno at home and store in sealed containers.
• Pre‑shred cheese and keep it in a zip‑top bag.
• Cook the beef ahead of time, reheat on the griddle for 2‑3 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions