BBQ Beef Nachos (Print page)

Crispy tortilla chips with smoky barbecue beef, melted cheese, and classic toppings, perfect for game day gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Beef Mixture

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup barbecue sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Nacho Base

07 - 10 ounces sturdy tortilla chips
08 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Fresh Toppings

10 - 1/2 cup sour cream
11 - 1/3 cup sliced pickled jalapeños
12 - 1/2 cup diced red onion
13 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
14 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
15 - 1 avocado, diced (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F for baking the nachos.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in barbecue sauce and simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
04 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large baking sheet or ovenproof platter, ensuring a single layer for even heating.
05 - Spoon the barbecue beef mixture evenly over the chips. Sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, covering the beef layer completely.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Watch closely to prevent burning.
07 - Remove from oven and immediately top with sour cream, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado if using.
08 - Serve nachos immediately while cheese is hot and chips remain crispy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beef gets coated in this sticky, finger licking good barbecue sauce that makes every chip feel like a special delivery
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like you spent all day planning it
02 -
  • Soggy nachos happen when toppings are added before baking, so always bake the beef and cheese first then add fresh toppings last
  • Sturdy chips are non negotiable here, thin chips will turn to mush under all that heavy beef and cheese
03 -
  • Spread chips in a single layer rather than piling them too deep so every chip gets covered in cheese and beef
  • Let the beef mixture cool slightly before assembling so the chips do not start steaming and getting soft
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