Description
Navajo Tacos with Indian Fry Bread combine crispy, golden-fried dough with savory seasoned meat and delicious toppings for a comforting and customizable meal. This recipe uses homemade fry bread as the base, topped with refried beans, spiced ground beef, cheese, fresh vegetables, and creamy sour cream, bringing a taste of traditional Native American cuisine to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup Warm Water (Lukewarm to activate yeast)
- 1 packet Active Dry Yeast (Can substitute with instant yeast)
- 4 cups All-Purpose Flour (Gluten-free flour blend works as a substitute)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Essential for flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (Can be omitted if yeast is active)
- 1 tablespoon Sugar (Optional for less sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil (for dough) (Olive or melted coconut oil works too)
Frying and Cooking Ingredients
- 2 cups Vegetable Oil (for frying) (Any neutral oil like canola or peanut)
- 1 pound Ground Beef or Turkey (Substitute with shredded chicken or meat alternative)
- 1 medium Onion (finely chopped) (Omit for milder taste)
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning (Homemade seasoning is a lower sodium option)
Toppings
- 1 can Refried Beans (Black beans can be tried for variety)
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Dairy-free cheese for vegan options)
- 1 cup Shredded Lettuce (Any salad greens can work)
- 1 medium Diced Tomato (Mix with other veggies if desired)
- 1 cup Sour Cream (Greek yogurt as a tangy substitute)
- 1 cup Salsa (optional) (Guacamole is a great choice too)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm water with active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar. This creates the base of your fry bread dough.
- Combine Dough: Pour the yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Cook Meat Filling: Heat some vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the finely chopped onion for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the ground beef or turkey and taco seasoning, cooking and stirring until browned and fully cooked. Set aside.
- Shape Dough: After the dough has risen, divide it into 6-8 equal portions and shape each into discs approximately ¼ inch thick.
- Fry Bread: Heat 2 cups of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer over medium-high heat. Carefully fry each dough disc for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the bread is puffed up and golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Assemble Tacos: Spread a generous layer of refried beans on each piece of fry bread. Top with the cooked meat mixture, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, sour cream, and optional salsa or guacamole according to your taste.
Notes
- Use lukewarm water to activate the yeast properly; too hot can kill the yeast, too cold will slow activation.
- Baking powder can be omitted if the yeast is active and the dough is given enough rising time.
- For a vegan version, substitute ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative and use dairy-free cheese and sour cream substitutes.
- Be careful when frying to maintain the oil temperature to prevent greasy or undercooked bread.
- You can customize toppings with your favorite fresh vegetables or sauces.
