Navajo Tacos Recipe

This is one of our favorite main dishes of all time.  One of my children even has it reserved as her very favorite, requesting it for her birthday dinner each year.  Lucky for me, it's also pretty easy to make.  At first I was a little scared off by the fry bread in this recipe, but then I realized that with all of the healthy toppings piled on top (corn, beans, lettuce, tomato, avocados), that it was a painless way for my kids to eat foods they wouldn't normally touch.  We like the fry bread so much, that we usually make a one-and-a-half batch of it, just to make sure everyone gets their fill. Enjoy!

NOTE:  Recipe and pictures were updated from the original.  (January 2012)  

Click here for printable recipe.

Posted by Lara. 

The ingredients:

MEAT SAUCE:

1  onion, chopped
1-lb. ground beef or turkey
3/4 cup water
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can (15-ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (16-ounces) black beans, drained
up to 1 tablespoon chili powder, to taste (we usually omit this)

FRY BREAD: (makes 6 rounds)

3 cups flour (I used 1/2 white whole wheat flour)
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups warm water
2 cups vegetable oil, for frying

TOPPINGS, as desired:
Lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa, refried beans, shredded cheese, avocado


Directions:
For meat sauce, crumble together onion and ground beef.  Cook over medium-high heat until meat is cooked through. 

Add 3/4 cup water, taco seasoning packet, corn, and black beans.  Allow the mixture to simmer while you make the fry bread.  Add additional chili powder, to taste, if desired.


For fry bread:  In a medium size bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.  Add water and stir together.  Dough may be slightly sticky.  Divide dough into six pieces. 

On a generously floured surface, pat the dough pieces into a flat round shape 5-6-inches across.  

Meanwhile, pour the vegetable oil into a medium size saucepan (make sure it's big enough to fit the rounds, but not so big you'll need lots more oil). 
Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat .

(NOTE:  Do not leave the stove unattended during the heating or cooking process) 

When oil is hot, carefully place dough round into the hot oil until the bottom side is golden brown (it may be only 15-20 seconds depending on how hot your oil is, so watch carefully). 

With a metal set of tongs (or two metal forks), flip the round, and cook the other side until puffy and golden brown.  Use the tongs to remove the fry bread from the oil and place onto a paper towel lined plate.  Makes 6 fry breads.   

To assemble:  Place a thin layer of sour cream or refried beans to the top of the fry bread.  This will serve as a glue of sorts to keep the toppings in place better.  Add meat sauce and other toppings as desired. 

The meat sauce is enough for about 10 Navajo tacos, so I usually make a one and half batch of the fry bread, so there's enough bread for meat sauce. 

Enjoy! 


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