Easy Navajo Taco Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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These easy and delicious Navajo tacos are made with thick, soft fry bead then layered with tasty taco fixings. A delicious family-friendly meal that you can pile high with all of your favorite toppings!

This is a great recipe because it uses Pillsbury biscuits. So easy! For a more authentic Native American fry bread try this recipe. This meal is a fun twist on tacos just like my taco casserole or taco-stuffed avocados. You’ll have to try them both next!

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Navajo Taco Recipe

School is now in session and so easy and delicious dinners are a must! It gets pretty hectic after the kids get home from school. And I can’t believe how much homework they get now! My older boys spend at least an hour an a half, and my kindergartener even gets some too! These Navajo tacos have been a lifesaver. So simple to put together and the entire family loved them!

I loved using Pillsbury biscuits as the fry bread for these Navajo tacos. (Although if you’re up for the challenge, making homemade fry bread is always a winner!) They turned out perfectly, and were so simple to make. The best part about these Navajo tacos is that each family member can add their favorite toppings. My little one had two and begged me to make them every week. I am okay with that because of how tasty these turned out! You’ll want to make this family-favorite recipe again and again.

What is a Navajo Taco?

A Navajo taco is made up of deep fried bread discs topped with taco ingredients. Although named ‘Navajo,’ it’s a common dish in many Southwestern tribes. If you’re from Arizona or New Mexico, you’re probably familiar with it! Our family loves ground beef with beans and customized toppings to go on top. Check out my tips section below for more topping ideas!

Navajo Tacos Ingredients

Layer on your favorite toppings and be sure to pile them high for the BEST Navajo taco. Top it off with some salsa, guacamole and even Mexican Rice for a complete meal. Note: for each ingredient below, exact measurements can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

  • Ground Beef: I used lean ground beef here! If you want something leaner you can always go for ground turkey instead. Feel free to use your favorite protein here! Ground pork, shredded chicken, or even tofu crumbles will also work.
  • Taco Seasoning: Homemade taco seasoning or packaged seasoning works well with these tacos. Use your favorite or whatever you have on hand!
  • Water: Adds moisture to the beef mixture.
  • Chili with Beans:Mix the chili beans in with the beef creating a thick and hearty taco topping.
  • Pillsbury Grand Original Biscuits: This acts as the fry bread dough. Simply flatten and then create a taco out of it.
  • Cooking Oil: For frying the biscuits in.

Toppings

  • Black Olives: Use a can of sliced olives and add them to the topping of the tacos.
  • Sour Cream: Add a dollop for a light and creamy taco taste.
  • Avocados: Cut up into long slices or chop into squares so your Navajo tacos have some (delicious) healthy fats.
  • Tomatoes: Dice them up or use Roma or cherry tomatoes! You could also use pico de gallo for a different twist.
  • Lettuce: So your tacos have some crunch.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Shredded and sprinkled on top of your Navajo tacos.

How to Make Navajo Tacos

It’s SO simple and the perfect weeknight recipe. Everyone in your family will be begging for more! The pillowy bread and savory toppings are just too good of a combination.

  1. Fry the Biscuits:Flatten each biscuit. Then fry each piece of dough in 1/4-inch hot oil over medium heat until golden brown, turning once. Drain biscuits on paper towels, then keep warm.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef: In a medium skillet, brown ground beef until no longer pink. Then add 1/4 cup water, taco seasoning mix, and can of chili beans. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and allow to simmer.
  3. Assemble theNavajo Tacos:Once ready to assemble, lay fried biscuit on a plate and put 1/2 cup of meat mixture on top. Then top with your favorite toppings.

Keep Your Bread Warm

Once the Pillsbury dough is fried, place on a sheet pan and keep warm in the oven at thelowesttemperature setting whilemaking the other fry breads.

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Tips and Variations

Easy-to-make and SO delicious, Navajo tacos are always a winner when it comes to weeknight meals. Here are a few extra things to keep in mind so your batch turns out just right!

  • Toppings: Add all your favorite toppings that you love. Mix and match vegetables and meats to your liking. Add some chorizo or even buffalo chicken for a fun switch-up! You can also add a drizzle of your favorite sauce, like this cilantro lime sauce!
  • Frying Bread: Before frying your bread, lay flat then cut a line in the center of each biscuit. This will keep it from curling in the oil and will stay flat for your taco toppings. You’ve got to give it room to expand to puffy deliciousness!
  • Oil Temperature: It is best to keep your oil at a constant temperature. The best temperature is around 250-300 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature becomes too low the bread will be tough and not soft like a cloud. Opposite of that though it will become too hot and can easily burn on the outside while the inside does not cook.
  • Fry Bread for Dessert: If you have leftover fry bread, top it with sweet toppings for dessert! Cinnamon sugar or a dollop of honey butter are both great options.
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Storing for Later

If you made too much fry bread or have leftover toppings, good news! You can store and enjoy them later.

  • Fry Bread: Store in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Taco Meat: Store in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
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Easy Navajo Tacos

By: Alyssa Rivers

These easy and delicious Navajo tacos are made with thick, soft fry bead then layered with tasty taco fixings. A delicious family-friendly meal that you can pile high with all of your favorite toppings!

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground Beef Lean
  • 1 Homemade Taco Seasoning or Packaged
  • 1 15 ounce black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 ounce diced tomatoes
  • 1 15 ounce pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can Pillsbury Grand Original Biscuits 8 Biscuits
  • Oil for Frying I used vegetable oil

Topping options:

  • Olives
  • Sour Cream
  • Avocados
  • Tomatoes
  • Lettuce shredded
  • Cheddar Cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Flatten each biscuit. Fry each biscuit in 1/4-in. hot oil over medium heat until golden brown, turning once. Drain biscuits on paper towels, keep warm.

  • In a medium skillet, brown ground beef until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning mix, black beans. diced tomatoes, and pinto beans. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low and allow to simmer.

  • Once ready to assemble, lay fried biscuit on a plate and put 1/2 cup of meat mixture on top. Top with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Updated on October 1, 2023

Originally posted on September 2, 2013

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 13gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 593mgPotassium: 282mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 12IUCalcium: 39mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: native american

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Easy Navajo Taco Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a Navajo taco and an Indian taco? ›

While fry bread is common in American Indian cultures across the United States, fry bread in South Dakota is traditionally made with yeast instead of baking soda like the "Navajo taco." This is because tribes in South Dakota were rationed yeast instead of baking soda on the reservation.

What is another name for a Navajo taco? ›

A frybread taco, Indian taco, or Navajo taco, is a frybread topped with various items, normally venison or beef, as well as other toppings commonly found in tacos.

What is the history of the Navajo taco? ›

The first Navajo taco was created by Lou Shepard, who worked for the tribe in the 1960s as manager of the Navajo Lodge, a tribally owned motel and restaurant located across the street from what is now the Navajo Education Center.

What is an Indian taco made of? ›

Indian tacos are a combination of beans or ground beef, chopped lettuce, sliced tomato, shredded Cheddar cheese, and optional green chile atop plate-sized rounds of crispy Navajo or Indian fry bread.

What are the three types of tacos? ›

Tacos are a common form of antojitos, or Mexican street food, which have spread around the world. Three varieties of taco (clockwise from left): carnitas, carne asada, and al pastor.

What do Indians call their tortillas? ›

"Chapati is the most commonly eaten bread in Northern India. It is very similar in shape to the Mexican tortilla, but very different in texture and flavor.

What meat did the Navajo eat? ›

The Navajo hunted deer and other small mammals for protein. Today sheep are raised in the territory for wool, and mutton is one of the tribe's most popular food sources. Navajo fry bread is still an inspired food of the nation's people, and it can be found in many forms with various names around the southwest.

Why did Navajo eat corn? ›

Naadą́ą́' (corn) is a primary staple of Diné (Navajo) life and a symbol of sustenance in Dinétah (the Diné homeland). It is one of four sacred plants given to the Diné and it provides both food and medicine. Eating corn can bring clear thoughts and new knowledge.

What is in a Navajo burger? ›

The four elements of this burger recipe — the corn and black bean relish, the red chile sauce, the spiced burgers, the grilled “fry” bread — come together deliciously bursting with flavor for a great backyard barbecue, and they come together paying tribute to a people with a rich culinary history, the Navajo.

Why do Indian people like Taco Bell so much? ›

Like Jagirdar, the Mexican-inspired restaurant played an important role in the childhood and assimilation of South Asians into American culture. And for those growing up in the suburbs with a dearth of vegetarian options, Taco Bell was a place multigenerational families with different diets could come together and eat.

What is the Indian equivalent of tortilla? ›

Indian flatbread which is also known as Chapati or Roti is a traditional bread prepared using whole wheat flour, salt, ghee/oil, and water. Similar in shape and texture, this flatbread is a staple in several Asian countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

What are tacos made from cow tongue called? ›

Beef Tacos de Lengua (Beef Tongue Tacos)

Is a chalupa an Indian taco? ›

If you aren't familiar with chalupas, you may have heard of them by another name: Navajo tacos or Indian fry bread. All are similar. The only teensy difference being that we don't try to shape the dough into a 'taco' in a Navajo taco. Just roll them into a circle and fry them.

What is the name of the popular taco throughout Mexico? ›

1. Tacos al pastor. An al pastor taco is probably the most well-known Mexican street food—a very simple combination of roast pork on a grilled tortilla.

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