The Best Navajo Tacos (Indian Fry Bread) Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Navajo tacos refine traditional bread into a culinary marvel that captures the heart of southwestern comfort food.

This hearty dish blends rich cultural heritage with mouthwatering textures and bold flavors.

Native American culinary traditions shine through every crispy, golden bite of fry bread.

The delicate balance between soft, pillowy dough and robust toppings creates an irresistible dining experience.

Each carefully crafted piece represents generations of resourceful cooking techniques passed down through family kitchens.

Authentic ingredients and simple preparation methods elevate this recipe beyond mere sustenance into a celebration of indigenous cuisine.

Regional spices and fresh components marry beautifully to produce a meal that satisfies deep hunger and cultural pride.

Why Navajo Tacos with Fry Bread Belong on Your Table

• Craft Crispy Comfort: Dive into a delightful culinary adventure with these Navajo Tacos, where each bite promises a perfect crunch that shatters delicately in your mouth.
• Versatile Flavor Playground: Enjoy the ultimate flexibility of this recipe, switching effortlessly between savory and sweet versions that cater to every craving and mood.
• Quick Cultural Cuisine: Whip up an authentic Native American dish in under an hour, bringing a taste of tradition right to your dinner table with minimal cooking skills required.
• Texture Triumph: Experience the magical contrast of soft, pillowy dough transformed into golden, crispy shells that provide a satisfying crunch with every mouthwatering bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Navajo Tacos (Indian Fry Bread)

• Flour: Neutral base for the soft, pliable dough.
• Baking Powder: Helps the dough rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the bread.

• Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind the dough together.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender texture.

• Vegetable Oil: Essential for deep frying the bread to crispy golden perfection.
• Ground Beef: Protein-rich filling for savory taco version.
• Taco Seasoning: Adds bold, spicy flavor to the ground beef.

• Black Beans: Hearty protein addition for savory tacos.
• Lettuce: Fresh, crisp topping for added texture.
• Tomatoes: Juicy, bright component for flavor and color.
• Sour Cream: Creamy, tangy topping to balance spicy flavors.
• Cheese: Adds rich, melty element to the tacos.
• Honey, Powdered Sugar: Sweet option for dessert-style fry bread.

How to Make Authentic Navajo Tacos Step by Step

Step 1: Mix Dough Base

• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt
• Add softened butter and blend until mixture looks like coarse crumbs
• Create a small well in the center of the flour mixture

Step 2: Knead and Rest Dough

Pour milk into the well and knead until a soft, smooth dough forms

Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes to improve texture and handling

Step 3: Shape Dough Circles

Roll the dough into a long log

Divide the log into 12 equal pieces

Roll each piece into a ball

Flatten each ball into a 6-inch circle

Gently prick each circle with a fork to prevent excessive puffing during frying

Step 4: Prepare Frying Setup

Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F

Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure accurate oil temperature

Step 5: Fry Bread Circles

Carefully place each dough circle into hot oil

Fry for about 30 seconds on one side

Flip and fold into a taco shell shape

Continue frying until golden brown and crispy

Remove and drain on paper towels

Step 6: Prepare Savory Taco Filling

Brown ground beef in a skillet

Add taco seasoning

Cook until meat is fully cooked

Step 7: Prepare Taco Toppings

• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Black beans

• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese

Step 8: Assemble Savory Navajo Tacos

Place fried bread on a serving plate

Layer with cooked ground beef

Add black beans

Sprinkle chopped lettuce and tomatoes

Top with a dollop of sour cream

Finish with a sprinkle of shredded cheese

Step 9: Create Sweet Variation

For a dessert version, drizzle honey over fried bread

Dust with powdered sugar

Serve immediately and enjoy

Tips for Frying Bread and Assembling the Tacos

• Master the Dough Consistency: Knead the dough gently to avoid tough bread, stopping when it becomes smooth and elastic without overworking.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain a steady 350°F for even frying, using a thermometer to prevent burning or undercooked bread.
• Prevent Dough Sticking: Dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour to ensure easy handling and clean-cut fry bread circles.
• Drain Excess Oil: Place fried bread on paper towels to absorb extra oil, keeping the texture crisp and light instead of greasy.
• Customize Toppings Creatively: Experiment with different proteins like shredded chicken or pulled pork, and add fresh ingredients like cilantro or jalapeños for extra flavor complexity.

How to Store and Reheat Navajo Tacos Properly

• Refrigerate cooled fry bread in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store separately from toppings to maintain crispiness. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore the bread's original crunch. Avoid microwaving, which can make the bread soggy and soft.
• Consume refrigerated fry bread within 2-3 days for best taste and texture. Discard if any signs of spoilage appear or if stored longer than recommended.

What Complements Navajo Tacos on the Plate

• Pair with Craft Beer Delight: Complement the crispy, hearty fry bread with a local amber ale or wheat beer that balances the richness of the taco toppings and cuts through the fried texture.
• Southwestern Beverage Match: Serve alongside a classic margarita or prickly pear cocktail to enhance the Navajo-inspired flavors and add a zesty southwestern kick.
• Cool Refreshment Companion: Opt for a chilled horchata or Mexican Coca-Cola to provide a sweet, smooth counterpoint to the savory and crispy elements of the fry bread tacos.
• Dessert Wine Twist: For the sweet variation, pair with a light moscato or dessert wine that echoes the honey and powdered sugar notes while adding a sophisticated touch to the simple treat.

Flavor Variations for Navajo Tacos to Keep It Interesting

• Sweet Honey Bliss: Drizzle warm honey over crispy fry bread, dust with powdered sugar, and top with fresh berries for a delightful dessert-style treat.
• Southwestern Spice Fusion: Layer fry bread with seasoned pulled chicken, roasted green chiles, pepper jack cheese, and a zesty cilantro-lime crema for a bold flavor profile.
• Breakfast Sunrise Edition: Top fry bread with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, diced bell peppers, and a dollop of salsa verde for a morning-inspired Mexican-inspired breakfast experience.
• Mediterranean Inspired Wrap: Transform fry bread into a Mediterranean-style flatbread by adding hummus, grilled vegetables, crumbled feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil for a global culinary adventure.

Navajo Tacos (Indian Fry Bread) Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Authentic Navajo tacos blend Native American culinary heritage with hearty southwestern flavors. Crispy fry bread serves as a golden canvas for savory ground beef, beans, fresh toppings, and zesty salsa, inviting you to savor a delicious cultural experience.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Bread):

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 4.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1.25 cups whole milk

Cooking and Frying Ingredients:

• 3 cups vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons steak fajita seasoning
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20)

Toppings and Garnishes:

• 15 ounces black beans, drained
• 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 3 plum tomatoes, diced
• Sour cream
• Queso sauce or shredded cheese
• Honey
• Powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
2. Incorporate softened unsalted butter into the dry ingredients, using fingertips or a pastry cutter to create a texture resembling coarse breadcrumbs.
3. Create a small crater in the center of the flour mixture and pour in whole milk, gently kneading until a smooth, elastic dough develops.
4. Allow the dough to rest, covered, for approximately 15 minutes to enhance its malleability and texture.
5. Transform the rested dough into a cylindrical shape, then methodically divide it into 12 uniform segments.
6. Roll each segment into a perfect sphere, then carefully flatten into circular shapes measuring approximately 6 inches in diameter.
7. Delicately puncture each dough circle with a fork to minimize excessive puffing during the frying process.
8. Warm vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven, maintaining a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).
9. Carefully lower each dough circle into the hot oil, frying for roughly 30 seconds on the initial side.
10. Gently flip the bread and manipulate it into a taco shell configuration, continuing to fry until achieving a golden, crispy exterior.
11. In a separate skillet, brown ground beef with authentic taco seasoning, ensuring even cooking and robust flavor.
12. Prepare accompanying toppings: chop fresh lettuce, dice ripe tomatoes, and warm black beans.
13. For savory renditions, layer each crispy fry bread with seasoned ground beef, black beans, crisp lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
14. Embellish with a generous dollop of tangy sour cream and sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface.
15. For a sweet alternative, drizzle pure honey over the fry bread and dust generously with powdered sugar.

Notes

• Dough Preparation Matters: Resting the dough for 15 minutes helps develop gluten, making the bread more tender and easier to handle.
• Oil Temperature is Crucial: Maintain a consistent 350°F for perfectly crispy, golden-brown fry bread without absorbing excess oil.
• Versatile Dish: These tacos can be served as either a savory main course or a delightful sweet dessert with simple topping changes.
• Fork Technique Prevents Puffing: Pricking the dough circles prevents excessive rising, ensuring a flat, crispy base for toppings.
• Cultural Significance: Navajo fry bread has deep historical roots, originating during a challenging period of Native American displacement and limited food resources.
• Quick and Easy: The entire recipe takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for spontaneous meals or family gatherings.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southwestern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 425 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg