If you're looking for some delicious ideas for nacho toppings, you've come to the right place. From cheese to veggies and garnishes to sides, this list has all of the ideas your need to make the best nacho platter!
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For years, nachos have been what we have for dinner on Friday nights (though, occasionally, we switch it up with pizza).
And so, I'm a bit of a self-proclaimed expert on nachos, if I do say so myself.
Because even though we have them weekly, we are constantly switching up the toppings for new and exciting versions.
And so I have become well versed in what the best toppings are for nachos (and there are a lot of tasty options!).
So if you're looking to jazz up your nachos with some extra toppings, I hope this list gives you plenty of inspiration!
Tips for Making the Best Nachos
Real quick, before we get into the list, I want to give you my 2 key tips for making the BEST nachos!
- Take the Time to Layer Properly- Lay out the chips rather than dumping the bag to ensure even toppings and cheese. The extra couple of minutes it takes to assemble them well makes such a difference to the outcome (because no one likes grabbing a chip without toppings!).
- Shred Your Own Cheese- Please shred your own cheese because pre-shredded cheese is usually coated to prevent it from caking together which also prevents it from melting well.
And if you happen to have leftovers, check out this guide to storing and reheating nachos.
Alright, now let's get to toppings!
Cheese
While most of the nacho toppings are optional, to me, cheese is non-negotiable! (Except for when I make apple nachos...).
1. Harder Cheese (shredded)- This is my go-to type of cheese for nachos. You can swap out the flavor for all sorts of flavors. Some that I recommend trying are:
- Cheddar (classic)
- White cheddar
- Pepper Jack
- Monterey Jack
- Smoked Gouda (so good!)
- Mozzarella (the block style type)
2. Soft Cheese (crumbled)- I don't recommend using a soft cheese exclusively as I find that the harder cheeses listed above make a better base. But, for extra flavor and creamy texture, adding a few crumbles of a soft cheese can take the nachos to the next level. Some that I recommend trying are:
- Goat Cheese
- Gorgonzola
- Feta
- Ricotta
3. Queso- While I typically opt for shredded cheese nachos, "nacho sauce" ones are also hard to beat! Try drizzling this queso blanco or this cashew queso (for a dairy free nacho option) over tortilla chips for a tasty plate of nachos.
Meat
4. Chicken- There are so many tasty ways to incorporate chicken on your nachos. Plus, it is a great way to make your nachos extra filling.
- Shredded Chicken- You can simply poach and shred chicken breasts or try out this super flavorful taco shredded chicken.
- BBQ Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken
- Chimichurri Chicken
- Ground Chicken- I like to cook up ground chicken with some taco seasoning for a simple and delicious option.
- Diced Chicken- Another easy option is to pan fry or bake some chicken breasts or thighs with your seasoning of choice. Then dice it small and add to your nachos.
5. Turkey- Not to be overlooked, turkey is another great way to incorporate extra protein onto your nachos.
- Ground Turkey- These taco seasoned ground turkey nachos are one of my go-tos.
- Leftover Turkey- If you have leftover roast turkey from the holidays, nachos is an unexpectedly great way to use it.
6. Beef- Like chicken, there are so many tasty options for incorporating beef on your nachos.
- Ground Beef- Simply brown and season or make some ground beef tacos.
- Steak- Grill and thinly slice steak (such as Carne Asada).
- Shredded- Slow cooked and shredded beef (like Barbacoa) makes for such flavorful nachos.
7. Pork- With a wide variety of forms and flavors, pork is the meat we most often end up adding to our nachos.
- Pulled Pork- My pulled pork recipe is lightly seasoned so you can add it to all different flavors of nachos from BBQ flavors to Mexican and more.
- Carnitas- This flavorful Mexican inspired pulled pork makes for an incredibly tasty nacho topping.
- Bacon- This is delicious along with chives, cheddar and Greek yogurt (for dipping) for a baked potato inspired tray of nachos.
- Italian Sausage- For a unique flavor, try topping your nachos with cooked and crumbled or sliced Italian sausage. I like pairing it with bell peppers, onions, block style mozzarella and pizza sauce- just like in these quesadillas.
Vegetables
8. Jalapeño- If you want to add a bit of spice to your tray of nachos, jalapeños are a great option. You can use fresh diced (remove the seeds to make it less spicy for keep them for some kick!) or pickled. I also sometimes use a can of diced green chiles instead.
9. Onion- Any color- red, white yellow or green is a great way to add some flavor to your nachos. Add them raw or try caramelizing them for different flavor. The caramelized onion and beef topping from this pizza also makes for ah-mazing nachos.
10. Bell Peppers- Like onions, you can use any color (or a combination) for a delicious nacho topping. And you can also cook them (try some Air Fryer Roasted Red Peppers) or add them raw.
11. Fajita Vegetables- One our most frequently repeated nacho toppings, fajita vegetables makes for the perfect plate of nachos. Check out this fajitas nachos recipe for exactly how to prepare and season them.
12. Corn- Juicy corn is always a delicious nacho topping. You can use frozen (thaw it first), canned or fresh. Or try some of this Mexican street corn inspired recipe.
13. Olives- While I'm team olives, these are definitely a controversial one. If you're serving your nachos as part of a game-day spread, you might want to make some without olives as well unless you know your guests like them.
Other Toppings
14. Pineapple- I know pineapple can be a bit controversial on pizza, but trust me, it is great on nachos! I especially love it on nachos that are made with carnitas meat. (I also love serving Pineapple Pico de Gallo Salsa with carnitas).
15. Mango- Just like pineapple is great on nachos, the tropical flavor of mango is also tasty. I love including mango with chicken nachos.
16. Beans- Most often, I opt for black beans on nachos but pinto beans, refried beans and even white beans all add some creamy texture and flavor.
17. Red Pepper Flakes- If you want to add spice without dealing with jalapeños or another chili pepper, try sprinkling a few red pepper flakes over the cheese on each layer.
Sauces and Garnishes
18. Guacamole- A bowl of lemon guac (or your favorite guacamole) is the perfect dip to serve with your nacho platter. Or, you can simply garnish with fresh diced avocado.
19. Salsa- Like there are endless versions of nachos, there are nearly endless versions of salsa as well. Try complementing your plate of nachos with a bowl of easy salsa (from canned tomatoes) or black bean pico de gallo salsa.
20. Hot Sauce- If you love spice, try drizzling a few drops over your nachos before serving.
21. Lime Juice- Depending on the nachos, I love adding a squeeze of fresh citrus to brighten up the flavors.
22. Greek Yogurt (or Sour Cream)- Cool and creamy, you can try drizzling it over top or dipping your nachos in it. Or, for extra flavor, try this Greek yogurt based Santa Fe ranch.
23. Green Onions- Add some color and fresh flavor by garnishing with fresh sliced green onions.
24. Cilantro- This complements the flavors of nachos nicely (unless you're someone for whom it tastes like soap...).
25. Pickled Banana Peppers- Ever so slightly spicy, these add great flavor to nachos. I typically add them as a garnish but you could also add them prior to cooking.
Sides to Serve with Nachos
Besides what to top your nachos with, you might be wondering what other sides or snacks you could serve to round out your game day spread or snack night. Here are some ideas that nicely complement nachos:
Chicken Wings- Whether homemade or store bought, chicken wings are a natural side to serve with your nacho platter.
Dips- Try serving it with Spinach Dip or Buffalo Dip.
Crudité- Fresh vegetables are another great way to round out your spread.
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