This Indian Fry Bread Tacos Recipe (also called an Indian Taco) puts a fun spin on a family favorite. They are so delicious and flavorful. These tacos are made with crispy Indian Fry Bread, also called Navajo bread. It’s a simple bread but it takes your taco to the next level.
The Indian fry bread tacos recipe is so crisp and tasty. The dough the bread is made with is what makes it so special. It could even be used for a dessert with cinnamon sugar and honey. Like all tacos, you can adjust the flavors to suit your families tastes or even taco bowls for those who can’t tolerate flour or lard. Just make sure to keep plenty of paper towels around!
I love this recipe because of the texture and flavor combinations. It’s one of my favorite dinner recipes.
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What We Love About This Navajo Tacos Recipe
This recipe comes together quickly. Wherever you are in the world you will feel like you are in Arizona, Utah or New Mexico. Native Americans used this fry bread for travel, know as the long walk. What is fry bread, find out here.
- 20 Minute Meal: This is such a fast meal, with so much flavor.
- Easy Ingredients: All easy ingredients and you can prep most ahead of time.
- Family Friendly: The family will love to build their own.
- Adaptable: Can make taco meat free, dairy free, etc…
Ingredient Notes for Fry Bread Tacos
- Ground Beef: A good 80/20 mix.
- Taco Seasoning Blend: The link for the seasoning I make is linked.
- Favorite Taco Toppings: shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, diced and onion diced
- Indian Fry Breads: Learn how to make them with this recipe.
Variations and Substitutions
There are many variations to make Navajo tacos.
- Indian Navajo Fry Bread – Air Fryer or Fry bread dough to a golden brown in a large skillet.
- Ground Beef – You can use any type of ground meat that you enjoy, try ground pork, turkey or chicken..
- Toppings – Whatever fun toppings that you enjoy such as pico de gallo, cucumbers or Greek yogurt.
How to Make Fry Bread Indian Tacos
These are the basic steps for making Indian Tacos Recipe. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions, cook time and total time. See Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas.
MAKE INDIAN FRY BREAD:
To make the bread for this Navajo taco, you need to mix the dough in a medium bowl and knead the dough until a soft dough forms. Cover the dough in oil in a large bowl and let the dough rise, then divide dough and roll the dough into dough balls and flatten it on a lightly floured surface. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes (approximately) before you fry the dough.
Heat oil in a deep heavy skillet over medium heat to 350 degrees F. Once the dough is golden brown on the first side, fry on the other side – about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove the cooked bread and drain on paper towels.
If you don’t want to go the taco route, you could always sprinkle some powdered sugar or cinnamon and sugar on top for a sweet treat. Get the full instructions for making homemade fry bread.
STEP 1: PREPARE
First, add ground beef to a skillet over medium high heat. (can add butter and garlic for more flavor) Stir taco meat using tongs or a wood spatula. Second, season beef with taco seasoning blend and salt. (put in a small bowl or dish so you can taste a pinch)
STEP 2: DRAIN
Next, crumble beef and cook until no longer pink. (can add chili powder, paprika or cumin to taste). Drain the entire mixture thoroughly into a colander (be careful of hot oil!).
STEP 3: ASSEMBLE
Finally, top each portion of fried dough with a helping of cooked beef. Lastly, top each fry bread with your favorite toppings (some suggestions are taco sauce, cheddar cheese, kidney beans, black olives, iceberg lettuce, avocado, and fresh tomatoes). To keep extras warm, wrap the bread in foil and place in a 200 degree F oven to keep warm while you’re assembling the tacos.
Prep and Storage Tips for Indian Tacos Recipe
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Of course, this is a great make ahead meal. Have all the toppings chopped and ready to go and you can even do the beef done and just reheat.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Tacos will get soggy fast and are not really ideal to store, however you can store the individual components in the fridge for a day or two in an airtight container. Leftover fry bread should be tightly wrapped and can be reheated in a low oven.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Again you can freeze the individual components in airtight containers or wrapped well in plastic wrap or foil in the freezer for up to three months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use low salt versions of your favorite seasoning blends and sauces. Load up on the vegetables and try using ground turkey or ground chicken in this dish
Alternatives can be used, simply pick your protein, pork, chicken, fish or seafood and enjoy.
Indeed, make the quantity that you need for your family.
Fry bread is really a flour tortilla with the addition of baking powder, fried in oil until it becomes fluffy and bubbly and golden brown. It’s puffier and has more body than tortillas. It’s also not crispy or crunchy like a tortilla.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Add More Toppings: It is so great to have a variety of toppings, such as, sour cream, guacamole, fresh cucumber, hot peppers or beans.
- Short cut tip: Prep as much as you can ahead of time or buy pre chopped vegetables.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add tofu or use beans if you are vegan. Also vegan cheese or sour cream.
- Spice: Do not forget to add the heat with your favorite hot sauce.
What to Serve with a Fry Bread Taco?
Indian Fry Bread Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning Blend
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup tomatoes , diced
- ½ cup onion , diced
- 12 Indian Fry Breads, link to post
Instructions
- Add ground beef to a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season beef with taco seasoning blend and salt.
- Crumble beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain off excess fat from beer.
- Place a portion of cooked beef on top of prepared Indian Fry Bread.
- Top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cheese.
Expert Tips
- Add More Toppings: It is so great to have a variety of toppings, such as, sour cream, guacamole, fresh cucumber, hot peppers or beans.
- Short cut tip: Prep as much as you can ahead of time or buy pre chopped vegetables.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add tofu or use beans if you are vegan. Also vegan cheese or sour cream.
- Spice: Do not forget to add the heat with your favorite hot sauce.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible for the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.
I love that this is a 20-minute meal! Perfect for busy moms.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing indian tacos recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!