Navajo Tacos

A traditional Indian fry bread topped with a chili-style meat and bean mixture and taco-type toppings like shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped lettuce, and sour cream. A family favorite. Serve the leftovers as dessert with honey, butter, or sugar and cinnamon.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 19 mins
• Total Time: 34 mins
• Calories: 425 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package chili seasoning (such as McCormick®)
• vegetable oil (such as Crisco®) for frying

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Pour in water; stir dough until just combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest, about 15 minutes.

Step 2

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef; cook and stir until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain off grease. Stir in pinto beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, and chili seasoning until well-blended. Simmer until chili flavors combine, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 3

Grease your hands lightly with oil and pinch off a piece of dough about the size of a baseball. Press it with your palms into a round about 4 inches in diameter and 1/2-inch thick. Repeat with remaining dough.

Step 4

Heat oil to a depth of 2 to 3 inches in a deep fryer or large saucepan. Fry dough rounds in batches until well-browned, puffy, and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Step 5

Divide fry bread among serving plates while still hot. Spoon chili mixture on top.