Navajo Tacos on Fry Bread

Golden fry bread piled high with seasoned ground beef or pinto beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and salsa. It's a widely loved dish across southern Utah's Navajo Nation communities and beyond.

🇺🇸United States· Utah
Navajo Tacos on Fry Bread — Utah, United States
Prep
25 min
Cook
25 min
Total
50 min
Servings
6
Difficulty
Medium
Calories
540 kcal

Ingredients

0 of 12 gathered

Servings
6
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Equipment

  • •Heavy skillet or deep pot
  • •Tongs

Nutrition

Per serving, approximate

Calories
540 kcal
fat
29
carbs
48
protein
22
calories
540

Instructions

  1. 1

    Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together.

  2. 2

    Stir in warm water until a soft dough forms. Knead briefly, cover, and let rest 15 minutes.

  3. 3

    Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning and pinto beans, then simmer 10 minutes.

  4. 4

    Divide the dough into 6 balls. Flatten each into a 6-inch round, poking a small hole in the center.

  5. 5

    Heat oil to 365°F in a heavy pot.

  6. 6

    Fry each round 1-2 minutes per side until puffed and golden brown.

  7. 7

    Drain the fry bread on a wire rack.

  8. 8

    Top each fry bread with the meat mixture, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and salsa.

  9. 9

    Serve immediately while the bread is warm.

Chef's tips

Fry the bread in deep enough oil so it puffs evenly. Poke any large bubbles with tongs while frying.

Storage

Store fry bread and toppings separately; refrigerate meat and toppings up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat fry bread in a dry skillet over medium heat to re-crisp before assembling.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • •Making the dough too thick, which leaves the center doughy after frying
  • •Overcrowding the pot, which drops the oil temperature

Serving suggestions

Top with shredded cheese, salsa, and sour creamServe with a side of pinto beans

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