Canadian · Lunch

Indian Tacos

Puffy golden fry bread topped like a taco with seasoned beef and beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream. Also called Navajo tacos or frybread tacos, and made in Indigenous communities across North America.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 1 hr total Serves 6 servings Medium
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How to Make Indian Tacos

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  1. Mix the flour, baking powder and 1 tsp of the salt in a bowl, add the milk and 1 tbsp of oil, and stir to a soft, slightly sticky dough. Knead briefly for 1 minute, cover, and let it rest for 30 minutes.

  2. Brown the beef in a large pan for 8 minutes, breaking it up, then add the onion and cook for 5 minutes.

  3. Stir in the chilli powder, cumin, oregano and the remaining salt, then add the beans and passata and simmer for 10 minutes, until thick.

  4. Divide the rested dough into 6 balls and flatten each into a round about 18 cm across and 5 mm thick, pressing a small dimple into the centre.

  5. Pour the frying oil into a deep 24 cm pan, so that it is about 2 cm deep, and heat it to 180°C / 350°F.

  6. Fry the dough rounds one at a time for 1 to 1.5 minutes on each side, until puffed and golden. Drain on kitchen paper.

  7. Top each round with the beef and beans, then lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and salsa, and eat at once.

Tips for Making Indian Tacos

  • Do not knead the dough hard. A short knead keeps the fry bread tender, and heavy kneading makes it tough.
  • Keep the oil at 180°C. Too cool and the bread soaks up oil and turns greasy, and too hot and it browns before it puffs.
  • Fry one at a time and keep the pan safe. Use a deep, wide pan with the oil no more than half-way up the sides, and never leave it unattended.

Common Substitutions & Variations

  • Fresh herbs work in place of the dried oregano at roughly three times the quantity — a teaspoon of dried is about a tablespoon of fresh, chopped.

What to Serve with Indian Tacos

  • Pinto beans
  • Pickled jalapeños
  • Fresh salsa

Storing & Reheating Indian Tacos

Fry bread is best eaten straight away. The beef and beans keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Leftover fry bread can be reheated in a 200°C oven for 5 minutes.

Indian Tacos FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Indian Tacos take to make?

About 1 hour in total — 30 minutes of preparation and 30 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 6.

What are the key tips for making Indian Tacos?

Do not knead the dough hard. A short knead keeps the fry bread tender, and heavy kneading makes it tough. Keep the oil at 180°C. Too cool and the bread soaks up oil and turns greasy, and too hot and it browns before it puffs. Fry one at a time and keep the pan safe. Use a deep, wide pan with the oil no more than half-way up the sides, and never leave it unattended.

What should I serve with Indian Tacos?

Pinto beans; Pickled jalapeños; Fresh salsa.

Is Indian Tacos suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is high-protein and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Indian Tacos?

About 799 kcal per serving, with 35 g protein, 68 g carbohydrate and 43 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Indian Tacos Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

799Calories
35gProtein
68gCarbs
43gFat
7gFibre
8gSugar
1030mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.