FREE PRINTABLE RECIPE
Get the Printable Recipe PDF (Free)
Enter your email and we’ll send you the ingredients + step-by-step instructions as a clean PDF you can save to your phone.
- ✅ Printable PDF (ingredients + steps)
- ✅ Save it to your phone (no long scrolling)
- ✅ Includes cook time + servings
- ✅ Easy to follow
FAQ
Where’s the full recipe?
It’s delivered as a printable PDF so you can save it and cook without scrolling.
I didn’t get the email.
Check Spam/Promotions and search your inbox for your site name. Then click Confirm to receive the PDF.
navajo taco recipe
- Total Time: 90 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
A hearty and satisfying Navajo taco recipe, featuring warm, puffy fry bread with savory beef and fresh toppings, designed for easy weeknight meals or family gatherings. It offers a fun, build-your-own experience that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt (for fry bread)
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1.1 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 1 lime, zest
- 2 tbsp alcohol-free tamari or soy sauce alternative
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
- 0.25 cup water (for pickling brine)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Fry Bread Dough: Whisk flour, baking powder, and 0.5 tsp salt. Add warm water gradually; knead 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover; rest 30 minutes at room temperature to soften.
- Cook Smoked Paprika Beef: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil. Brown ground beef 8-10 minutes until browned. Drain fat. Stir in seasonings, lime zest, tamari. Cook 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Remove.
- Prepare Pickled Red Onions and Cilantro-Lime Crema: Place sliced red onion in bowl. Simmer brine (apple cider vinegar, water, sugar); pour over onions, let sit 20 minutes until vibrant. For crema, combine sour cream, cilantro, lime juice; season lightly.
- Fry the Bread: Heat 2 cups oil to 175 degrees C (350 degrees F). Divide dough into 6 portions, flatten each. Fry 1-2 minutes per side until golden. Drain on paper towels; salt.
- Assemble Your Navajo Taco: Place warm fry bread on plate. Top with Smoked Paprika Beef, then arrange lettuce, diced tomato, Monterey Jack cheese. Drizzle Crema. Scatter pickled red onions and cilantro.
Notes
Fry bread in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even browning. Drain fried bread well on paper towels to prevent sogginess. Taste and adjust beef seasoning as it cooks. Consider substitutions like ground turkey, Greek yogurt, or whole wheat flour. Large tortillas can be quickly fried for a shortcut base.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 750 calories
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1050 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg