Indian Fry Bread Tacos (Print Format)

Golden crispy fry bread topped with seasoned ground beef, fresh toppings, and melted cheese. Comfort food meets taco night.

# Ingredients:

→ Fry Bread

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - 1 cup warm water
05 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ Beef Topping

06 - 1 pound lean ground beef
07 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
08 - 1/4 cup warm water

→ Pinto Beans (Optional)

09 - 2 cans (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

→ Toppings

15 - Crisp lettuce, chopped
16 - Red tomatoes, diced
17 - Shredded cheddar cheese
18 - Sour cream
19 - Fresh cilantro, finely chopped

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Slowly add the warm water while stirring until a soft dough comes together. Cover with a clean towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.
02 - Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and warm water, then let it simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens up.
03 - If using beans, heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the drained beans along with cumin, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Cook on low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Divide the rested dough into 4 equal pieces and shape each into a flat round about 1/2 inch thick. Fry each piece for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
05 - Place each warm fry bread on a plate and top with lettuce, seasoned beef, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar, and a dollop of sour cream. Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top.
06 - Serve immediately while the fry bread is still warm and crispy. These are best eaten with a fork or just dive in with your hands for the full experience!

# Tips:

01 - Don't overwork the dough - mix it gently and let it rest for the fluffiest fry bread.
02 - Use a thermometer to check oil temperature. Too hot and it burns, too cool and it gets greasy.
03 - Always drain the fried bread on paper towels to absorb excess oil and keep it crispy.
04 - Make sure your beef and beans are hot before assembling so everything stays warm together.
05 - Set up a build-your-own taco bar so everyone can customize their perfect bite.