Indian Fry Bread

If you haven’t tried an Indian Fry Bread before you’ll love it! It is a beloved tradition in the Western United States. This delicious meal is also known as “Navajo Taco” and sometimes it is also called “Pop Overs”, but they are typically just called “Fry Bread”.

There are lots of options when it comes to toppings for Indian Fry Bread. Typically, you can add beans, meat, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, olives, shredded cheese and sour cream.

The best part of it? This is a very easy and fast recipe that your family and friends will love!

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Ingredients for Indian Fry Bread

The following shows the separate ingredient lists for the bread and the topping. The ingredients are found in most family refrigerators or pantries, making this a highly accessible meal.

Ingredients for the bread

• 2 cup Flour
• 3/4 tsp Salt
• 3 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 cup Water (Warm)

Ingredients for the topping

• 1 can Pinto Beans
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• Lettuce (Chopped)
• Sour Cream (For Garnish)
• 2 Tomatoes

How to Make Indian Fry Bread

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 2: Add the warm water to the center of the bowl and mix until dough forms. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Take the dough out of the bowl and put it on a flat surface with flour.

Step 4: Break off the dough into golf-ball-sized balls.

Step 5: Roll the dough into 6 inches in diameter circles (½-inch thick).

Step 6: Heat oil in a medium/large saucepan (about 1-2 inches deep).

Step 7: Carefully, fry each bread until dough is golden and poofs up.

Step 8: Flip the bread to fry on the other side. Remove from the oil and set on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Step 9:  In a large skillet, add ground beef and salt and pepper to taste.

Step 10: Use a spatula to break the meat into small pieces and cook until brown.

Step 11: Add beans over the cooked meat and combine. Cook for 10 minutes.

Step 12: Spread meat and beans mixture over the fry bread and top it with chopped lettuce, minced tomato and sour cream.

Enjoy!

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Indian Fry Bread

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

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Review Recipe

Ingredients 

INGREDIENTS FOR THE BREAD:

• 2 cup Flour
• 3/4 tsp Salt
• 3 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 cup Water, Warm

INGREDIENTS FOR THE TOPPING:

• 1 can Pinto Beans
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• Lettuce, Chopped
• Sour Cream, For Garnish
• 2 Tomatoes

Instructions

• In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Add the warm water to the center of the bowl and mix until dough forms. Let sit for 5 minutes.
• Take the dough out of the bowl and put it on a flat surface with flour.
• Break off the dough into golf-ball-sized balls.
• Roll the dough into 6 inches in diameter circles (½-inch thick).
• Heat oil in a medium/large saucepan (about 1-2 inches deep).
• Carefully, fry each bread until the dough is golden and poofs up.
• Flip the bread to fry on the other side. Remove from the oil and set on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TOPPING:

• In a large skillet, add ground beef and salt and pepper to taste.
• Use a spatula to break the meat into small pieces and cook until brown.
• Add beans over the cooked meat and combine. Cook for 10 minutes.
• Spread meat and beans mixture over the fry bread and top it with chopped lettuce, minced tomato, and sour cream.
• Enjoy!

Author: Laura

Tips for Success

The first time you make the bread, fry the first piece of dough according to the instructions, and fry the second for longer to add a crispy texture. Sample the two to decide which version you prefer and prepare the remainder based on your preference.

Storage & Reheating

Like most meat and bean dishes, this simple Indian Fry Bread meal stores well. You can store the leftover topping in the refrigerator in a glass or plastic container for up to a week. I like the beans in the topping when reheated in a small saucepan on the stove, but you can get away with microwaving the topping as well.

If you make extra bread, wrap it in aluminum foil or store it in Ziploc bags. You can freeze the bread in aluminum foil or Ziploc bags for several months, though they will seldom last that long in the freezer. When you want to use the bread, remove it from the freezer for an hour or two in advance. If you forget to do so, remove it from the package and zap it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

Serving Suggestions

If some family members prefer spicier food, put salsa, hot spice bottles, or a small dish of taco seasoning on the table and let each person customize their version of Indian Fry Bread.

Notes

We discovered Indian Fry Bread during a trip to the Southwest and promised ourselves we would learn how to make it when we returned home. I combined elements of several recipes to make one that is simple and simply delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy Indian Fry Bread for beginners recipe will become a mainstay in your household, and for several reasons.

The simplicity of the ingredients helps make Indian Fry Bread a relatively inexpensive meal, making it an excellent choice for a growing family.

As mentioned earlier, this recipe does not use spices, so it works well for those who can’t or won’t eat certain spices. Those who prefer spicier food can add spice to their individual servings.

You will enjoy making every element of the meal, from the bread to the topping.

The bread recipe is simple, easy, and contains no conservatives. I often make a double batch of bread and substitute it for pita bread or when making sandwiches.

There is nothing like fresh homemade bread, whether made as a loaf or in flatbread form. The scent of the fried bread will fill your home and get everyone ready to dig into a great family meal.