Fry Bread Tacos

Taco Tuesday will forever be one of my favorite nights of the week. Classics like chicken tacos and chipotle carnitas will always be tried-and-true family favorites, but my family also enjoys tasting something new. These fry bread tacos are one of our latest discoveries.

This fry bread taco recipe features individual fluffy, airy fry bread circles, each with a generous scoop of seasoned ground beef along with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, salsa and a dollop of tangy sour cream. The fry bread tacos are beefy, crispy and oh, so satisfying. If your family loves taco recipes, then taco fry bread will become an instant hit in your household.

What is fry bread?

If you’re unfamiliar with fry bread, this Native American recipe originated in the late 1800s. Fry bread was created with rations provided to the Navajo people by the U.S. government after the Long Walk, a 300-mile journey that forced Navajo men, women and children to relocate from Arizona to New Mexico. The new territories didn’t support traditional crops, so the government provided commodity foods like flour and sugar.

In time, fry bread spread to other tribes throughout the United States, and each recipe has subtle variations. For example, Navajo fry bread is historically made with baking powder, as that was the leavening agent provided to them in their rations. However, fry bread made by tribes in South Dakota will often opt for yeast, since that is what was in their supplied rations.

How to Make Fry Bread Tacos

Before you can make fry bread tacos, you’ll first need to master making a batch of crisp yet fluffy fry bread. The bread is easy and requires just four simple ingredients, plus oil for frying. The dough needs to rest for an hour before it is cooked, so make sure to plan ahead and build that into your prep time.

Once the fry bread is perfectly golden, you’ll dress it with seasoned taco meat and your favorite taco toppings.

Ingredients for Fry Bread Tacos

For the fry bread

• Flour: For soft and pillowy fry bread, the best type of flour to use is all-purpose flour.
• Baking powder: Baking powder is the leavener in many of our favorite quick-bread recipes. Here, it makes the fry bread puff up as it cooks in the hot oil.
• Water: Water hydrates the flour and adds moisture to the dough so it’s the right consistency for shaping and frying.
• Oil: Canola oil and vegetable oil are both great oils for frying. Use whichever one you keep stocked in your pantry.

For the tacos

• Ground beef: A pound of lean ground beef lends the perfect start when making this fry bread taco recipe.
• Taco seasoning: Choose from this list of the best taco seasoning brands or head to your spice rack to make homemade taco seasoning.
• Water: A bit of water helps the taco seasoning evenly coat the beef in the skillet as the meat finishes cooking.
• Toppings: Shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sour cream and salsa are common toppings for a great fry bread taco recipe. Of course, you can add other toppings, like homemade guacamole, refried beans, shredded cheese or cilantro.

Directions

Step 1: Make the dough

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Stir in the hot water to form a soft dough. Cover and let stand for 1 hour.

Editor’s Tip: We like to use hot water to make fry bread dough because hot water helps the dough turn out extra smooth and lump-free.

Step 2: Brown the beef

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

In a large skillet, cook the beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the grease, and stir in the taco seasoning and water. Simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Keep warm.

Editor’s Tip: When cooking ground beef, make sure to break up the larger chunks so everything cooks evenly.

Step 3: Shape the fry bread

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 4-inch circle. Set aside.

Step 4: Cook the fry bread

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

In an electric skillet, heat 1 inch oil to 350°F. Fry the bread circles in the hot oil for three to four minutes on each side or until puffed and golden. Drain the fry bread on paper towels.

Editor’s Tip: If you don’t have an electric skillet, you can make the fry bread in a cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet on the stovetop. Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the oil reaches the proper temperature for frying.

Step 5: Assemble the tacos

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

To serve, top each fry bread with the meat mixture, lettuce and tomato. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Fry Bread Taco Variations

• Change the protein: Ground beef is popular for fry bread tacos but it’s not the only option. You can substitute another ground meat like lean ground turkey or chicken. Or, try making taco fry bread with slow-cooker chicken tinga or seafood, like crispy fried tilapia or grilled shrimp.
• Make vegetarian fry bread tacos: For a vegetarian twist, omit the seasoned taco meat. Instead, opt for a combination of black beans and taco-seasoned roasted sweet potatoes (similar to the filling in these sweet potato and bean quesadillas).
• Try dessert fry bread tacos: While taco fry bread is generally savory, you can transform it into a delectable dessert. Top each fry bread with a scoop of ice cream, then garnish the treat with fresh berries or peaches. Finish it with a drizzle of chocolate ganache or salted caramel sauce.

How to Store Fry Bread Tacos

This fry bread taco recipe is best enjoyed fresh from the fryer. If you have leftovers, store each component separately. Refrigerate the beef and toppings in individual food storage containers. The fry bread can get soggy when stored in the refrigerator, so we recommend freezing it.

How long do fry bread tacos last?

The beef and toppings will stay fresh for up to three days in the fridge. For the best taste and texture, the fry bread should be enjoyed just after making it, although it will last up to four days in the fridge.

Can you freeze the fry bread or taco fillings?

For longer storage, you may freeze fry bread and seasoned beef in separate containers for up to three months. Store the beef in a freezer-safe container, and wrap the fry bread in a layer of storage wrap and then a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. To enjoy, defrost the meat and the fry bread overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Another option for freezing bread is to freeze the uncooked dough. Divide and shape the dough into two round balls and wrap each one in storage wrap. Store it in a freezer bag. Thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator, and then let it come to room temperature before shaping it into disks and frying.

Can you make fry bread tacos ahead of time?

You can cook the beef mixture ahead of time and reheat it just before serving the tacos. You may also chop and prep any desired toppings the day before. If you want to make the fry bread ahead of time, we recommend preparing and freezing the dough.

How do you reheat fry bread tacos?

Reheating taco fry bread is a breeze. Reheat the beef in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. To reheat the fry bread, wrap each piece in foil and warm it in a 375° oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Once warmed, open the foil and let the fry bread crisp up for about five minutes.

Fry Bread Taco Tips

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

How do you keep fry bread dough from drying out?

To prevent fry bread dough from drying out, store it in an airtight container with a lid or cover it tightly with storage wrap. Alternately, wrap it loosely with a damp paper towel to preserve moisture until you are ready to fry the bread dough.

How do you prevent oily fry bread?

Fry bread must be cooked in 350° oil for best taste and texture. If your fried bread tastes oily, the oil temperature was likely too low. (This same error often occurs when frying homemade doughnuts.)

Why is my fry bread raw in the middle?

If your fry bread is still doughy in the middle, it may have cooked in oil that was too hot. When the oil temperature is too high, the outside of the fry bread will appear perfectly golden while the center is still raw. Use an electric skillet with a built-in temperature setting or an instant-read thermometer to measure the oil’s temperature so you can deep fry at home with confidence.

What can you serve with fry bread tacos?

Serve the fry bread taco recipe with homemade guacamole and tortilla chips on the side, or make the meal more filling with a side of Spanish rice and a can of the best black beans. For a lighter option, serve the tacos with grilled corn on the cob or a bowl of our favorite summer corn salad.