Family Friendly Walking Tacos! (Doritos)

Ingredients

• 1 bag Doritos Cool Ranch (10‑oz bag, used as the base chip layer)
• 1 bag Doritos Nacho Cheese (10‑oz bag, adds extra flavor and color)
• 2 pounds Ground Beef (80/20 lean‑to‑fat ratio works well; can use 90/10 for less fat)
• 4 pieces Roma Tomatoes (Seeded and diced)
• 1 medium Onion (Finely diced; added to the meat while cooking)
• 1 head Lettuce (Shredded; adds crunch)
• 1 can Black Sliced Olives (Drained and sliced)
• 1 cup Guacamole (Store‑bought or homemade)
• 2 pieces Jalapeños (Thinly sliced; optional for heat)
• 2 cups Mexican Style Shredded Cheese Blend (Cheddar‑Monterey Jack blend, shredded)
• 1 bunch Cilantro (Leaves chopped)
• 1 cup Sour Cream (Full‑fat for best flavor)
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (Adds a mild heat)
• 1 tablespoon Paprika (Smoked paprika preferred)
• 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
• 1 tablespoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
• 1 teaspoon Adobo Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Instructions

1. Wash and Prep Vegetables

   Rinse the lettuce, tomatoes, onion, jalapeños and cilantro under cold water. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.

   Time: PT5M

2. Chop Vegetables

   Dice the tomatoes, finely mince the onion, slice the jalapeños, shred the lettuce, and roughly chop the cilantro.

   Time: PT10M

3. Brown the Ground Beef

   Heat the large skillet over medium‑high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is no longer pink.

   Time: PT8M

   Temperature: medium‑high heat

4. Add Onion and Seasonings

   Stir in the diced onion and continue cooking for 2‑3 minutes. Sprinkle in cayenne, paprika, chili powder, black pepper, adobo seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix well and cook another 2‑3 minutes until the onion softens and the spices are fragrant.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium‑high heat

5. Drain Excess Fat

   Tilt the skillet and spoon out most of the rendered fat, leaving just enough to keep the meat moist. Return the meat to the pan.

   Time: PT2M

6. First Layer Assembly

   Open a Doritos bag (Cool Ranch) and cut it in half with scissors or a knife. Spread the chips in a large serving bowl or keep the bag open. Spoon a generous amount of hot seasoned beef over the chips, then immediately sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese so it melts slightly.

   Time: PT5M

7. Add Fresh Toppings

   Top the cheesy meat layer with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced onion, cilantro, jalapeños (if using), black olives, guacamole dollops, and finally a swirl of sour cream.

   Time: PT3M

8. Second Layer (Optional Two‑Story Taco)

   If you want a taller taco, repeat steps 6‑7 using the second Doritos bag (Nacho Cheese) as a new base, adding another layer of meat, cheese, and toppings.

   Time: PT3M

9. Serve and Eat

   Grab a sturdy spoon and dig straight into the bag or transfer the assembled taco to a bowl. Enjoy immediately while the chips are still crisp.

   Time: PT1M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

620

Protein

30g

Carbohydrates

45g

Fat

32g

Fiber

5g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Doritos Cool Ranch: Plain corn chips, Tortilla chips
• Instead of Doritos Nacho Cheese: Plain corn chips, Tortilla chips
• Instead of Ground Beef: Ground turkey, Ground chicken, Plant‑based ground meat
• Instead of Roma Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes, regular tomatoes
• Instead of Onion: Green onion, shallot
• Instead of Lettuce: Shredded cabbage, spring mix
• Instead of Black Sliced Olives: Green olives, pepperoncini
• Instead of Guacamole: Mashed avocado, avocado salsa
• Instead of Jalapeños: Serrano peppers, red pepper flakes
• Instead of Mexican Style Shredded Cheese Blend: Shredded mozzarella, vegan cheese blend
• Instead of Cilantro: Parsley, green onions
• Instead of Sour Cream: Greek yogurt, vegan sour cream
• Instead of Cayenne Pepper: Red pepper flakes
• Instead of Paprika: Regular paprika
• Instead of Chili Powder: Taco seasoning
• Instead of Black Pepper: White pepper
• Instead of Adobo Seasoning: All‑purpose seasoning
• Instead of Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic

Equipment Needed

• Large Skillet
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife
• Measuring Spoons
• Large Spoon or Spatula
• Serving Bag or Large Bowl (optional)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Cook ground beef until fully browned with no pink remaining.
• Drain excess fat to prevent soggy chips.
• Layer cheese while meat is still hot so it melts.
• Assemble quickly to keep chips from getting soggy.

Chef Tips from the Video

• Mix the two Doritos flavors for a colorful, extra‑crunchy base.
• Add a splash of lime juice to the guacamole for brightness.
• If you like extra heat, toss the jalapeños with a pinch of salt before adding.
• Serve with a side of salsa for those who want more sauce.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat meat separately before re‑assembling if desired.

Freezer: Meat can be frozen for up to 3 months; freeze in a zip‑top bag and thaw before reheating. Do not freeze assembled walking tacos as chips become soggy.

Room temperature: Do not leave assembled walking tacos at room temperature for more than 1 hour due to dairy ingredients.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Chop all vegetables and store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge.
• Cook and season the ground beef a day ahead; reheat gently on the stove before assembling.
• Grate the cheese and keep it in a sealed bag to stay fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions