Perfect any time, but especially in the Fall, are these yummy Navajo Taco’s. This delicious meal is made on golden pillows of crispy Native American Fry Bread with a rich meaty chili and topped with your favorite taco toppings, like cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream!
If you’re a regular here at Norine’s Nest, then you’re familiar with my Traditional Indian Fry Bread Recipe! It’s our top recipe and receives loads of positive reviews. For good reason! Four simple ingredients, along with oil for frying, creates the most wonderful golden, puffy, crispy Native American Fry Bread.
When Fry Bread is slathered with a goodly amount of Honey Butter, you think you’ve died and gone to heaven. (I visit there frequently when I make Fry Bread!)
The only thing that can make Fry Bread better…is using it for classic Navajo Tacos.
I had never had “Indian Fry Bread Tacos”, as many locals call them, until we moved to Southern Utah!
Every year the local Native Americans hold a festival, and the main “food” attraction? Their wonderful Navajo Tacos!
Using my simple Fry Bread Recipe and pairing it with either my Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe, OR making the easy taco meat sauce included in this recipe, and adding your favorite taco toppings, you can enjoy this local favorite any time of the year!
It’s especially a favorite in the Fall for Halloween!
What Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Navajo Tacos
For the Fry Bread You will need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Milk
- Vegetable Oil for Frying
For the Taco Toppings you will need:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 (14 ounce) cans Chili with Beans – Any brand you prefer
- 1 (1 ounce) package of Taco seasoning mix
- 3–4 cups grated Cheddar Cheese
- 4 cups shredded lettuce – I like iceberg on my Navajo Tacos, but you can use any type of lettuce you prefer
- 1 cup diced tomatoes – more if your family is huge tomato lovers! I obviously live with non-tomato lovers!
- 1 cup sliced olives (optional) – my family thinks tacos aren’t tacos without olives!
- Sour Cream – this one topping is a MUST for my family!
How To Make Native American Tacos
For the “Step-by-step” photo instructions for my Fry Bread Recipe you can go over to the recipe by clicking the link above. You’ll find a video there as well. I am going to include the written instructions below in the recipe card and with-in this post!
How To Make Traditional Indian Fry Bread
This recipe will make enough for 4 large Navajo Taco Fry Breads. I generally double this recipe…because ya know… Honey Butter!
Yes that’s right! I eat one Navajo Taco and One plain with honey butter dripping off the Fry Bread and down my arm! (Don’t you dare judge me! We’re all eating bread that’s been fried!)
- Place 1 cup flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoons salt in a medium bowl. Add ½ cup plus 2 Tablespoons milk and stir until dough begins to ball up. On a lightly floured surface knead dough. Do not over-work the dough. After working dough, place in a bowl and chill for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil to 350 °F degrees in a deep-frying pan or kettle. You’ll need at least one inch of oil in the bottom of the pan.
- Divide the chilled dough into four equal portions. Lightly flour surface. Pat and roll out baseball size pieces of dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Poke a hole in the middle of each disc with your finger or knife (so dough will fry flat). Place dough disc in oil and cook until golden brown, flip over and cook opposite side until golden brown. Dough is done in about 3 minutes depending on oil temperature and thickness of dough.
- Place fry bread on paper towel lined plate.
How To Make Meat Filling for Navajo Fry Bread Tacos
There are several ways to create the meaty filling for Navajo Tacos. You can use homemade chili. Canned chili…or you can use this recipe for meat sauce that I got from my daughter. We LOVE this meat sauce! It’s perfect for Navajo Tacos!
In a large skillet over medium-high heat brown 1 pound of ground beef. Drain off any excess fat. Return to heat and add two cans of chili and taco seasoning packet. Stir to combine.
Lower temperature to medium low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Keep warm until ready to serve.
How to Assemble Navajo Tacos
I find it best to set this up as a “Taco Bar” where everyone can add the toppings they prefer!
My sweet granddaughter added honey butter and then the meat sauce. She wanted the best of both worlds! Lol This method is not recommended! Let’s just leave it at that!
Using one piece of fry bread, top with warm meat sauce. (Don’t you love my fine China?!)
Next up… Cheese! I add the cheese next because I L.O.V.E. my cheese nice and melted! Honestly I love the ingredients that go into these yummy “tacos”! All my favorites in one place.
Next up? Whatever you want! You have a great base for your Indian Taco, now it’s just about adding your favorite toppings.
Shredded lettuce, the finer, the better, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, green onion, cilantro, and of course… Sour Cream! Ahhhhh…life is good with Fry Bread for dinner!
I promise your family will love this recipe. You’ll love how easy and fun…yes FUN…it is to make!
There’s something so satisfying watching bread dough puff up and turn golden. Then decking it all out with your favorite taco toppings! You can even add Salsa to your taco! The possibilities are endless!
Questions and Answers
- Are there other methods for making Fry Bread? Yes! You can use thawed frozen roll dough. Roll it into a 1/4 inch thick disc and fry as you would regular fry bread. Place on a paper towel to drain.
- Can the Fry Bread dough be made in advance? Yes! You can make the dough ahead of time and keep it chilled in the refrigerator until ready to use. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before using.
Favorite Fall Main Dish Recipes
- Easy Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- Perfect Country Chicken Pot Pie
- Pork Chop and Creamy Potato Casserole
- Homemade One Pot Goulash
- Creamy Chicken and Herbed Dumplings
- Dinner in a Pumpkin
- Campbell’s Tuna Noodle Casserole from Allrecipes.com
Navajo Fry Bread Taco Recipe
Perfect any time, but especially in the Fall are these yummy Navajo Taco's. This delicious meal is made on golden pillows of crispy Native American Fry Bread with a rich meaty bean chili and topped with your favorite taco toppings, like cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream!
Ingredients
Fry Bread
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Milk
- Vegetable Oil for Frying
Taco Meat and Toppings
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 (14 ounce) cans chili with beans
- 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning
- 3-4 cups of grated cheddar cheese
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup sliced olives
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Fry Bread Instructions
- Place flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add milk and stir until dough begins to ball up. On a lightly floured surface knead dough. Do not over-work the dough. After working dough, place in a bowl and chill for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil to 350 degrees in a deep frying pan or kettle. You'll need at least one inch of oil in the bottom of the pan.
- Divide the chilled dough into four equal portions. Lightly flour surface. Pat and roll out baseball size pieces of dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Poke a hole in the middle of each disc with your finger or knife (so dough will fry flat). Place dough disc in oil and cook until golden brown, flip over and cook opposite side until golden brown. Dough is done in about 3 minutes depending on oil temperature and thickness of dough.
- Place fry bread on paper towel lined plate. After fry bread is done top with favorite topping or make Navajo Tacos.
Taco Meat Instructions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat brown ground beef. drain. Add cans of chili and taco seasoning. Stir until well combined. Turn heat down to low. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Keep warm until ready to serve.
To make Navajo Tacos place a scoop of meat sauce on top of Fry Bread. Top with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sour cream and any other taco toppings you prefer.
Recommended Products
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Wooden Serving Platter Set of 3 Pcs 9.8 Inch Rectangular Serving Tray Wood Charcuterie Boards Solid Natural Plate for Vegetables, Fruit, Charcuterie, Sushi And Snacks(9.8" x 5.1") (Set of 3) -
Taco Holders 4 Packs - Stainless Steel Taco Stand Rack Tray Style by ARTTHOME, Oven Safe for Baking, Dishwasher and Grill Safe -
Elite Gourmet EG-6203# Extra Deep 16"x13"x3.2" (10.5Qt.) Scratch Resistant, Easy Pour Spout Dishwasher Safe, Non-stick Electric Skillet with Glass Vented Lid, Adjustable Temperature, Black -
Versatile Stainless Steel Spider Strainer/Skimmer/Ladle for Cooking and Frying, Chirano Kitchen Gadgets Wire Strainer Pasta Strainer Spoon (6 Inch) -
T-fal Deep Fryer with Basket, Stainless Steel, Easy to Clean Deep Fryer, Oil Filtration, 2.6-Pound, Silver, Model FR8000
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 2067Total Fat: 154gSaturated Fat: 79gTrans Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 56gCholesterol: 482mgSodium: 3348mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 6gSugar: 7gProtein: 118g