Navajo fry bread

Homemade Indian Fry Bread Tacos

I grew up on Navajo tacos. I was always so excited when my mom said we were having Navajo tacos for dinner (I was that annoying child who would ask my mom what was for dinner just as we were finishing lunch, or sometimes even they day before. I liked to know the menu).

They’re just so incredibly delicious, you really need to try them for yourself and see! I actually shared this Navajo fry bread taco recipe about 4 1/2 years ago when I first started blogging, but I make these probably once a month so I decided to update the photos.

Another way I make these Navajo tacos, besides the beef filling listed, is just with leftover chili. They both work perfectly as long as you make this simple homemade Indian fry bread recipe — that’s the key to this taco recipe.

Just imagine a pillowy soft yet chewy center encased by a lightly crisp, perfectly fried golden brown exterior. Then it’s generously topped with a deliciously flavorful, browned beef taco filling and all those classic Southwestern toppings.

Such a satisfying taco, to say the least! Try them out and you’ll see why I’ve craved these as long as I can remember.

Indian Fry Bread Ingredients

For the Navajo fry bread, you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour


• Baking powder


• Rapid rise or active dry yeast


• Salt


• Warm milk


• Butter (or shortening)


• Vegetable oil, for frying

Navajo Tacos Ingredients

For the Navajo taco filling, you’ll need:

• Olive oil


• Yellow onion


• Garlic


• Ground Beef


• Spices (chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper)


• Kidney beans


• Diced tomatoes


• Diced green chilis

How to Make Fry Bread

• Whisk together dry ingredients.


• Separately mix melted butter and warm milk.


• Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients and stir until mixture comes together.


• Cover dough with plastic wrap and allow to rest 5 – 10 minutes.


• Heat 1 inch of oil in a pot to 350 – 360 degrees.


• Divide dough into 8 equal pieces and roll to about 6-inches.


• Cook one a time in oil until golden brown on each side.


• Remove from oil and drain.

How to Make Navajo Tacos

• Saute onion and garlic in skillet.


• Add beef, season with salt and pepper and cook and break up, until browned.


• Drain fat. Stir in spices, kidney beans, canned diced tomatoes and green chilis.


• Simmer for 10-15 minutes.


• Serve over Navajo fry bread with toppings.