Mastering Authentic Indian Tacos: Homemade Navajo Fry Bread & Delicious Fillings
Prepare to embark on a truly unforgettable culinary journey with Authentic Indian Tacos, crafted with tender, golden Indian Fry Bread. This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience you’ll crave repeatedly. Imagine light, airy, and perfectly puffy fry bread, expertly made in a skillet or deep fryer, generously filled with your most beloved taco ingredients. Or, for a delightful twist, dust it with cinnamon and sugar and serve it with a drizzle of honey for a scrumptious dessert.
These incredible Indian Fry Bread Tacos, also widely recognized as Navajo Tacos or Native American Fry Bread Tacos, are surprisingly simple to prepare. With just a few basic ingredients, you can bring this comforting and flavorful dish to your own kitchen table in no time.
My Enduring Love Affair with Indian Tacos
If the sheer pleasure of Indian Tacos made with Indian Fry Bread has eluded you so far, trust me when I say you are missing out on something truly special. My first introduction to this culinary delight happened during a brief period living in San Diego in the late 1980s. I was at a lively festival in Balboa Park with a friend, and she ordered one from a bustling food vendor. The concept was entirely new to me, but being an adventurous eater, I eagerly decided to give it a try. Oh, my goodness! It was love at first bite! The unique texture of the fry bread combined with the savory fillings was unlike anything I had ever tasted. It left an indelible impression.
However, after moving back to Nebraska, this wonderful memory faded into the background, that is, until I reconnected with the magic in 1997. This was when I met my dear friend, Candi, who was residing in the area while her husband was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base. Our friendship blossomed, and with it, my reintroduction to the world of authentic Indian cuisine.
Discovering an Authentic Indian Fry Bread Recipe
Candi grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, a place where Indian Tacos aren’t just food; they’re a beloved cultural staple, especially at events like the Oklahoma State Fair. She proudly shared stories of her rich Native American heritage and traditions over the years. When both Candi and I ventured into the world of blogging around 2011, I was thrilled when she posted her cherished recipe for Authentic Indian Fry Bread. Her vivid descriptions of growing up making and savoring Indian Tacos immediately propelled this dish to the top of my “must-make” list.
It’s almost embarrassing how long it took me to finally make them, but the wait was undeniably worth it. Today, I am ecstatic to share this incredible recipe with you. I promise, you will absolutely adore them – we certainly did! The experience of recreating Candi’s traditional recipe brought back all those wonderful memories and flavors.
A few years ago, Candi adapted her lifestyle to be gluten-free. Refusing to part ways with her beloved Indian Tacos, she ingeniously developed her own recipe for Gluten-Free Indian Fry Bread. Thanks to her dedication, anyone can now enjoy this fantastic dish, regardless of dietary restrictions!
What Exactly Defines Indian Fry Bread?
When it comes to the art of bread making, Indian Fry Bread stands out as one of the simplest and most gratifying to prepare. At its core, it is a classic flatbread, often drawing comparisons to pita bread due to its soft, chewy texture and versatile nature. However, Fry Bread possesses a distinct character, unique in its preparation and cultural significance. It’s typically made from a dough containing flour, leavening agents like baking powder, and a liquid like buttermilk, then deep-fried until golden brown and puffed up, creating a wonderfully tender interior and a slightly crispy exterior. This simple yet profound preparation results in a bread that serves as a perfect canvas for both savory and sweet creations.
A Brief but Complex History of Indian Fry Bread
Culturally speaking, fry bread occupies a truly unique and somewhat conflicted space within Native American traditions. On one hand, it is profoundly celebrated and cherished by numerous Indian tribes across the United States. It has served as a fundamental staple, a source of comfort, and a symbol of resilience, frequently offered and enjoyed at significant cultural celebrations, including vibrant Pow Wows and traditional Potlatches. Its presence at these gatherings signifies community, tradition, and shared heritage.
However, the deeper tribal significance of Indian Fry Bread is far more intricate and carries the weight of a complicated history. The bread became an unintentional staple out of sheer necessity. During the devastating period when the U.S. Government forcibly relocated Native American tribes to reservations, it supplied them with rations primarily consisting of flour, sugar, salt, and lard. These food subsidies became essential because the tribes were moved from their ancestral lands to territories where they could no longer cultivate their traditional sustenance diets, which typically included corn, squash, and beans. From these basic, often unfamiliar, government-issued ingredients, Native Americans ingeniously created fry bread. It swiftly integrated into the regular diets of many different tribes across the United States, becoming a symbol of adaptation and survival.
As a result, fry bread is both deeply celebrated for representing survival through ingenuity and resilience in the face of adversity, and at times, it is also criticized by some Native Americans. For them, it can represent the painful legacy of colonial oppression and the forced reliance on government rations that disrupted traditional foodways. Despite this complex historical backdrop, the undeniable fact remains: fry bread tastes magnificent and offers incredible versatility. Whether enjoyed as a comforting dessert or a hearty main course, it continues to be a healing and nurturing food that transcends cultural boundaries. Regardless of its rich and layered history, virtually everyone who tries it falls in love with the delicious simplicity of fry bread!
Many Cultures, Many Fry Bread Recipes
While in the United States it is predominantly known as Indian Fry Bread, Navajo Fry Bread, or Native American Fry Bread, it’s fascinating to discover that variations of this beloved flatbread exist in cultures across the globe. From the bustling streets of China and the diverse culinary landscapes of India and Africa, to kitchens all across Europe, and spanning not just North but also Central and South America, some form of fried dough is a well-known and cherished staple. These global counterparts go by a myriad of names, such as “mekitsa” in Hungary, a fluffy fried bread often served with jam or cheese, or “vetkoek” in South Africa, savory fried dough balls typically filled with minced meat or sweet spreads. Each culture imparts its unique style of preparation, utilizing local ingredients and featuring a huge variety of fillings and accompaniments. This global prevalence truly highlights the universal appeal of simple, delicious fried dough. So, feel free to draw inspiration from these worldwide traditions and get creative with your own fry bread creations!
In this sense, fry bread serves as a delightful culinary bridge, connecting us with diverse cultures and their rich food histories all over the world. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and the universal pleasure derived from simple, wholesome ingredients.
Essential Ingredients for Delicious Fry Bread (No Yeast!)
While cultural traditions worldwide boast their own unique variations of fry bread, my recipe focuses on simplicity and accessibility, requiring just a few common ingredients. Notably, this recipe is a fantastic choice for those who prefer baking without the hassle of yeast, as it relies on baking powder for its signature puff and lightness:
- All-Purpose Flour – This forms the base of our fry bread dough. Regular all-purpose flour works beautifully, providing the ideal structure and texture. While possible, using pastry flour might result in a slightly more delicate crumb.
- Baking Powder – This is our key leavening agent. Unlike yeast, baking powder acts quickly, reacting with the buttermilk to create carbon dioxide bubbles, which are responsible for the bread’s light, airy, and wonderfully puffy texture.
- Buttermilk – Far more than just a liquid, buttermilk plays a crucial dual role. Its acidity reacts with the baking powder, aiding in the leavening process. Furthermore, it imparts a subtle tang and moisture to the dough, contributing to the rich flavor and tender crumb of the finished fry bread.
- Salt – A small amount of salt is essential. It doesn’t just season the bread; it also enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, balancing the overall taste profile.
- Shortening – For frying, I personally favor shortening. It melts down into a stable frying medium, providing consistent heat and resulting in a beautifully golden and evenly cooked fry bread. You can certainly use other fats like vegetable oil or lard, each lending a slightly different flavor and texture, but shortening consistently delivers excellent results.
Simple Steps: How to Make Indian Fry Bread
In just a few straightforward steps, you’ll have this delicious Native American Fry Bread ready to enjoy! The process is designed to be quick and satisfying, even for novice bakers.
First, in a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure the leavening is evenly distributed. Then, gradually add the buttermilk, mixing until a cohesive, slightly sticky dough forms. Gently gather the dough into a smooth ball.
Next, divide the larger dough ball into four equal-sized smaller balls. This ensures uniform fry bread portions. Lightly flour a clean work surface and place each dough ball onto it. Using a rolling pin, carefully roll out each ball into a disc. Aim for a thickness that is substantial enough to hold fillings but thin enough to cook through and puff up, typically about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
Finally, prepare your frying setup. In a heavy-bottomed skillet or a deep fryer, melt enough shortening to allow the bread to float freely (about 1-2 inches deep). Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches an ideal temperature of 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Carefully place one flattened dough disc into the hot oil. Fry it until it turns a beautiful golden brown and puffs up, which usually takes approximately 3 minutes per side. The surface should appear bubbly and crisp.
Using tongs, carefully flip the fry bread over and continue to fry for another 3 minutes, or until the second side is equally golden brown and cooked through. Be mindful not to overcrowd the skillet, frying in batches if necessary to maintain consistent oil temperature.
Once both sides are golden and the bread is cooked, carefully remove it from the skillet. Place the hot fry bread onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess grease. This step ensures your fry bread remains light and not oily. Repeat the process with the remaining dough discs.
Crafting Delicious Indian Fry Bread Tacos
So, you might be asking yourself, what exactly are Indian Tacos made of? My recipe, inspired by traditional preparations, pays homage to truly authentic Native American ingredients, with a particular focus on savory beans. If you have the opportunity to visit Native American restaurants or attend cultural events, you’ll likely discover a wide and exciting array of fry bread taco options. These might include gourmet fillings like bison or venison fry bread tacos, offering a taste of regional specialties. Interestingly, if you find yourself in New Mexico and note that a sopapilla filled with savory ingredients bears a striking resemblance to a fry bread taco, you are absolutely correct! Different name, same delicious basic idea: a fluffy fried dough acting as a vessel for flavorful fillings.
Much like a classic corn flour taco shell, the possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to what you can lovingly stuff into a warm, inviting fry bread taco. From seasoned meats and fresh, crisp vegetables to robust beans, and even sweet fruits, almost any ingredient works wonderfully. The choice truly depends on whether you’re craving a rich, savory main course or a delightful, sweet treat. The soft, pliable, yet substantial nature of the fry bread makes it an ideal base, holding its shape beautifully and absorbing flavors without becoming a soggy mess, a common pitfall with other types of bread.
Key Ingredients for My Authentic Indian Taco Recipe
Following the expert guidance of my friend Candi, I meticulously recreated her method, and I can wholeheartedly attest that her Indian fried tacos tasted precisely as I remembered them from my first experience back in the 1980s. The simplicity and balance of flavors are key. Here’s what we use:
- Prepared Indian Fry Bread: The star of the show, warm and fresh from the skillet.
- Ranch Style Beans: These are a critical ingredient for achieving that authentic, savory flavor I remembered. Their unique seasoning truly makes a difference.
- Crisp Lettuce: Shredded lettuce adds a refreshing crunch and vibrant color.
- Ripe Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes provide a juicy sweetness and a fresh contrast.
- Fresh Onion: I opted for thinly sliced green onions as they were readily available, offering a milder, yet distinct, onion flavor. White or red onions can also be used for a sharper bite.
While I found them perfectly satisfying without, the kids in my family enjoyed adding some shredded cheese to their tacos, which melted beautifully over the warm beans. That’s the beauty of these tacos – you can easily customize them to your preference! Simply layer your chosen ingredients onto the warm fry bread, and voilà, you have yourself a magnificent Navajo Taco!
These Ranch Style Beans were absolutely spot on for recreating the authentic flavor I vividly remembered. Although I had seen them in stores countless times, I had never before considered purchasing them. They are seasoned to perfection, requiring minimal effort – just warm them up in the microwave and spoon them generously onto your fry bread! They truly are a game-changer for this recipe.
Love Them? Pin Them!
Don’t let these incredible recipes for Indian Tacos with Indian Fry Bread slip away! Be sure to pin them to your favorite Pinterest recipe board. This way, you’ll always have easy access to this cherished dish whenever the craving strikes.
Sweet or Savory: The Incredible Versatility of Fry Bread Tacos
One of the most remarkable aspects of fry bread is its incredible versatility. It effortlessly adapts to both sweet and savory applications, making it a truly dynamic and appealing dish for any meal or occasion. You can easily transform it into a delectable dessert by sprinkling it generously with sugar, perhaps filling it with seasonal fruits like berries or sliced peaches. This sweet rendition will undoubtedly remind you of a warm, fruit-filled donut, offering a comforting and satisfying treat. Following my friend Candi’s delightful suggestion, we especially loved them dusted with a mix of cinnamon and sugar, then finished with a generous drizzle of golden honey, creating a simple yet profound sweet experience.
Conversely, fry bread shines equally brightly as a savory main course. Fill it with a hearty combination of seasoned ground beef, tender shredded chicken, or spiced beans. Add crisp lettuce, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, or any assortment of roasted vegetables you desire. The beauty of the bread itself lies in its soft, wonderfully chewy, yet remarkably sturdy texture. This unique characteristic allows it to hold up exceptionally well to a variety of fillings, preventing the dreaded soggy mess that can occur with other, less robust bread types. Whether you prefer a robust chili, a flavorful lentil stew, or classic taco toppings, the fry bread provides the perfect, substantial base.
For those who appreciate the robust flavor of beans in their savory tacos, you might find my detailed post on “how to make a can of refried beans taste like a restaurant” particularly helpful. It offers tips to elevate humble canned beans into a gourmet filling that pairs perfectly with Indian Fry Bread.
Clever Substitutions for Buttermilk in Fry Bread Recipes
If buttermilk isn’t readily available in your pantry, or if you simply prefer not to use it, there’s no need to worry! There are several excellent buttermilk substitution options that will work beautifully in this fry bread recipe. A popular and effective alternative is to use active culture plain yogurt or even sour cream. You can generally use similar measures for either of these substitutes. In both cases, the natural acidity, along with the active cultures present in yogurt and sour cream, will react with the baking powder to help leaven the dough, ensuring that light and airy texture. Additionally, they will contribute a slight tanginess and richness, adding depth of flavor that closely mimics that of traditional buttermilk. Just remember to thin thicker yogurt or sour cream with a tiny bit of milk or water if the dough seems too stiff.
Creative Ideas for Taco Fillings to Use in Indian Fry Bread
While the classic bean filling is undeniably delicious, don’t hesitate to experiment with other vibrant and flavorful taco fillings to truly make these fry bread tacos your own. I have a collection of fantastic taco recipes that can serve as wonderful inspiration if you’re looking to explore beyond the traditional bean filling in this particular recipe:
- Baked Shredded Beef Tacos: Tender, slow-cooked beef, seasoned to perfection, offering a rich and satisfying protein base.
- Cilantro Lime Pork Cooked In A Slow Cooker: Juicy, tangy pork with bright citrus and herb notes, ideal for a fresh and zesty taco experience.
- Taco Salad: While typically served in a bowl, the savory components of a taco salad, such as seasoned ground meat, cheese, and various fresh veggies, translate wonderfully as a fry bread filling.
- Carnitas: Crispy yet tender slow-cooked pork, bursting with flavor, offers an authentic Mexican-inspired twist to your fry bread tacos.
- Shredded Beef Burrito Filling: Rich, savory, and perfectly seasoned shredded beef, often simmered with chilies and spices, makes for a hearty and comforting taco.
For even more delicious inspiration and a plethora of wonderful recipes, do yourself a favor and explore my friend Candi’s fantastic food blog, The Devilish Dish!
Now, let’s gather our ingredients and create some truly irresistible Indian Fry Bread Tacos!
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Print Recipe
Indian Tacos with Indian Fry Bread
These Indian Fry Bread Tacos, also known as Navajo or Native American Fry Bread Tacos, come together super fast with only a few basic ingredients.
Equipment
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KitchenAid Gourmet Rolling Pin, One Size, Red
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12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
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Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet With Assist Handle, 10.25″, Black
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- shortening for frying
Instructions
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To make the Indian Fry Bread: Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk in a medium-sized bowl. Roll into a ball.
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Divide the dough ball into 4 even-sized pieces. Turn each ball out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out. The dough should be fairly thick.
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In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt shortening. When the oil has reached 350 degrees F place dough in skillet and fry until golden. (approximately 3 minutes)
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Flip over and fry for another 3 minutes or until the other side is golden brown.
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Place on a paper towel and drain off any excess grease.
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To make the Indian Tacos: Fill bread with warmed ranch style beans, lettuce, onion and tomatoes. Add on shredded cheese, sour cream and black olives if desired.