Indian Tacos Deluxe: A Flavorful Fusion Feast

Indian tacos, a delightful fusion of Native American frybread and classic taco fillings, are a culinary experience that’s both comforting and exciting. This recipe takes the traditional Indian taco to the next level with deluxe toppings and flavorful enhancements, creating a truly memorable meal. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that celebrates heritage and deliciousness!

## What are Indian Tacos?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s briefly understand what makes Indian tacos so special. The foundation of an Indian taco is frybread – a flat, puffy bread that’s deep-fried to golden perfection. This frybread serves as the base, replacing the traditional corn or flour tortilla. It’s typically topped with seasoned ground beef, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream, similar to a regular taco, but the frybread adds a unique, irresistible texture and flavor.

## Why This Recipe is Deluxe

This isn’t your average Indian taco recipe. We’re elevating the experience with:

* **Homemade Frybread:** We’ll guide you through creating perfect frybread from scratch – fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside.
* **Seasoned Ground Beef with a Kick:** Our ground beef isn’t just seasoned with taco seasoning; we’re adding a touch of smoky chipotle and other spices for depth.
* **Homemade Refried Beans:** Forget canned beans! We’re making creamy, flavorful refried beans from scratch.
* **Fresh and Vibrant Toppings:** We’re focusing on using the freshest, highest-quality toppings to complement the richness of the frybread and meat.
* **Spicy Crema:** A creamy, tangy, and spicy crema to drizzle over the top, adding a final layer of flavor.

## Indian Tacos Deluxe Recipe

Here’s everything you need to create this amazing dish:

**Yields:** 6 servings
**Prep time:** 1 hour
**Cook time:** 45 minutes

### Ingredients:

**For the Frybread:**

* 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or lard
* 1 ½ cups warm water
* Vegetable oil, for frying

**For the Seasoned Ground Beef:**

* 1 ½ pounds ground beef
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
* ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
* ½ cup beef broth or water
* Salt and pepper to taste

**For the Refried Beans:**

* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* ½ teaspoon cumin
* 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
* ½ cup vegetable broth or water
* Salt and pepper to taste

**For the Spicy Crema:**

* 1 cup sour cream
* 2 tablespoons lime juice
* 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
* 1 teaspoon sriracha (or more, to taste)
* ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
* Salt to taste

**For the Toppings:**

* Shredded lettuce
* Diced tomatoes
* Shredded cheddar cheese
* Diced red onion
* Sliced black olives
* Avocado slices or guacamole
* Chopped cilantro
* Your favorite hot sauce

### Equipment:

* Large mixing bowl
* Large skillet or Dutch oven
* Potato masher or immersion blender
* Deep fryer or large pot for frying
* Slotted spoon
* Paper towels

### Instructions

**Step 1: Make the Frybread Dough**

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Cut in the vegetable shortening or lard using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add the warm water, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This allows the gluten to relax, making the frybread more tender.

**Step 2: Prepare the Seasoned Ground Beef**

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
4. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
5. Drain off any excess grease.
6. Stir in the taco seasoning, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
7. Pour in the beef broth or water and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and the flavors have melded. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

**Step 3: Make the Refried Beans**

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
4. Stir in the chili powder and cumin.
5. Add the drained and rinsed pinto beans and vegetable broth or water.
6. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the beans are softened.
7. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the beans to your desired consistency. If using an immersion blender, be careful not to over-blend, as this can make the beans gummy.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

**Step 4: Prepare the Spicy Crema**

1. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, lime juice, chopped cilantro, sriracha, and garlic powder.
2. Stir well to combine.
3. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more sriracha for extra heat or more lime juice for extra tang.
4. Refrigerate until ready to use.

**Step 5: Fry the Frybread**

1. Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
2. While the oil is heating, divide the dough into 6 equal pieces.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a circle about 6-8 inches in diameter. The dough should be thin but not so thin that it tears easily.
4. Carefully place one or two pieces of dough into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pot.
5. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and puffed up.
6. Use a slotted spoon to remove the frybread from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
7. Repeat with the remaining dough.

**Step 6: Assemble the Indian Tacos**

1. Place a piece of frybread on each plate.
2. Top with a generous amount of seasoned ground beef and refried beans.
3. Add your desired toppings, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onion, sliced black olives, avocado slices or guacamole, and chopped cilantro.
4. Drizzle with the spicy crema.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

## Tips for Perfect Indian Tacos

* **Don’t Overwork the Frybread Dough:** Overworking the dough will result in tough frybread. Knead it just until it’s smooth and elastic.
* **Rest the Dough:** Letting the dough rest allows the gluten to relax, resulting in more tender frybread.
* **Use Enough Oil:** Make sure you have enough oil in your pot or deep fryer so the frybread can float freely. This will ensure even cooking.
* **Maintain the Oil Temperature:** The ideal oil temperature for frying frybread is 350°F (175°C). If the oil is too hot, the frybread will brown too quickly on the outside and remain doughy on the inside. If the oil is not hot enough, the frybread will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pot:** Frying too many pieces of frybread at once will lower the oil temperature and result in greasy frybread.
* **Drain the Frybread Well:** After frying, place the frybread on a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil.
* **Customize Your Toppings:** Feel free to get creative with your toppings! Add your favorite vegetables, sauces, and cheeses.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Replace the ground beef with seasoned lentils or black beans for a vegetarian option.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free flour blend to make the frybread. Be sure to use a blend that’s designed for baking, as some gluten-free flours can be gritty.

## Variations

* **Spicy Indian Tacos:** Add more cayenne pepper to the ground beef or increase the amount of sriracha in the spicy crema for extra heat.
* **Sweet Indian Tacos:** Top the frybread with cinnamon sugar and your favorite sweet toppings, such as whipped cream, fresh fruit, and chocolate sauce.
* **Breakfast Indian Tacos:** Top the frybread with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and cheese for a delicious breakfast.
* **Chicken Indian Tacos:** Substitute the ground beef with shredded chicken seasoned with your favorite taco spices.

## Serving Suggestions

Indian tacos are a complete meal on their own, but here are some side dishes that would complement them nicely:

* **Mexican Rice:** A classic side dish that pairs perfectly with tacos.
* **Corn on the Cob:** Grilled or boiled corn on the cob is a refreshing side dish.
* **Coleslaw:** A tangy coleslaw provides a nice contrast to the richness of the tacos.
* **Guacamole and Chips:** A crowd-pleasing appetizer.
* **Salsa and Tortilla Chips:** Another classic appetizer that’s always a hit.

## Storage Instructions

* **Frybread:** Frybread is best served fresh. However, you can store leftover frybread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a warm oven or microwave before serving. Be aware it will lose some crispness.
* **Seasoned Ground Beef:** Store leftover seasoned ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until heated through.
* **Refried Beans:** Store leftover refried beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if necessary to thin them out.
* **Spicy Crema:** Store leftover spicy crema in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

**Note:** It’s best to store the toppings separately and assemble the tacos just before serving to prevent the frybread from becoming soggy.

## Conclusion

Indian Tacos Deluxe are a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With their crispy frybread, flavorful fillings, and customizable toppings, they’re sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So gather your ingredients, put on some music, and get ready to create a culinary masterpiece!

Enjoy your homemade Indian Tacos Deluxe! This recipe is a testament to the beautiful fusion of cultures and flavors, bringing together the best of Native American and Mexican cuisine. Happy cooking!