How to Make BBQ Nachos - Outdoor Cabinets

Introduction

Nachos are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack that is easy to make and customize. BBQ nachos take this Tex-Mex favorite up a notch by incorporating smoky, tangy barbecue flavors.

With the right techniques, ingredients, and BBQ sauce, you can make restaurant-quality BBQ nachos at home. This guide will walk you through the full process of how to make amazing BBQ nachos, from preparing the components to constructing and baking the nachos. We’ll also provide tips for adding your own creative twist.

Get ready to impress at your next game day party or potluck with ooey-gooey, finger-licking good BBQ nachos!

What You Need to Make BBQ Nachos

Ingredients

Tortilla chips – enough to cover a large baking sheet or pan
Shredded cheese – cheddar, Mexican blend, etc.
Cooked meat – shredded or chopped chicken, pulled pork, ground beef
BBQ sauce
Sour cream
Fresh toppings like jalapeños, tomatoes, green onions, etc.

Equipment

Baking sheet
Aluminum foil
Large bowl for tossing chips and toppings
Spatula for serving
Oven

How to Prepare the BBQ Meat

The star of BBQ nachos is the protein – juicy, saucy, smoky meat layered over crisp tortilla chips. You can use any BBQ style meat like pulled pork, shredded chicken, chopped brisket, or ground beef.

Here are some tips for preparing BBQ meats at home:

BBQ Pulled Pork

Season a pork shoulder roast with a dry rub
Slow cook the pork in the oven or slow cooker until very tender
Shred the pork with two forks, removing any large fat pieces
Toss the shredded pork with BBQ sauce to coat

BBQ Chicken

Season boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Grill, bake, or sauté until cooked through
Shred the chicken into bite-size pieces
Toss the shredded chicken with BBQ sauce

Ground Beef

Season the ground beef with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, etc.
Cook the beef over the stovetop, breaking it into crumbles
Drain excess grease then stir in BBQ sauce

No matter which meat you use, make sure it’s chopped or shredded into small pieces that can be evenly layered over the tortilla chips. And coat the meat in 1-2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce.

How to Prepare the Tortilla Chips

The base of nachos starts with tortilla chips. Look for quality tortilla chips that are sturdy enough to support all the toppings without breaking.

Restaurant-style chips work great, or you can make homemade chips:

For Homemade Chips:

Slice corn or flour tortillas into wedges
Arrange the wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet
Brush both sides with oil
Bake at 400°F until crispy, about 10-15 minutes
Season immediately with salt

If using store-bought chips, spread them out over a foil-lined baking sheet in an even layer. Try to cover the entire surface, but it’s okay if there are a few gaps.

How to Assemble and Bake the Nachos

Now it’s time to build the nachos by layering all the components together.

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Baking the nachos helps melt the cheese evenly over all the chips.

2. Cover with Chips

Cover a large foil-lined baking sheet with the tortilla chips in an even layer.

3. Sprinkle Cheese

Evenly sprinkle 1-2 cups of shredded cheese over the chips – enough to cover each chip with a little cheese. Cheddar, Mexican blend, and pepper jack all work great.

4. Add Meat

Divide the cooked BBQ meat evenly over the cheese, making sure to cover all areas.

5. Add More Cheese

Sprinkle another 1/2 cup or so of cheese over the meat for extra gooey cheese coverage.

6. Bake Nachos

Bake the nachos for 6-8 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on them so the chips don’t burn.

7. Remove and Top

Remove the nachos from the oven. Immediately top with any extra mix-ins while the nachos are hot. Sour cream, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, shredded lettuce, guacamole, salsa, and sliced green onions all make great toppings.

8. Serve and Enjoy

Use a large spatula to transfer the nachos to a serving platter. Be careful, the baked nachos will be very hot and the foil pan makes it tricky to serve.

Let everyone dive into the ooey-gooey BBQ goodness while the nachos are still warm! Provide any extra BBQ sauce for drizzling over the nachos as you eat.

Flavor Variations

One of the great things about nachos is how customizable they are. Get creative with these BBQ nacho ideas:

Tex-Mex BBQ Nachos: Top with guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapeños, cilantro, queso fresco, and a spicy BBQ sauce.
Loaded Baked Potato BBQ Nachos: Use shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack. Top with real bacon bits, sliced green onions, and dollops of sour cream.
Surf and Turf Nachos: Use shredded pork or beef plus shrimp. Top with mango salsa and cilantro.
Pizza Nachos: Swap the BBQ sauce for tomato sauce and sprinkle with pepperoni and Italian herbs.
Greek Nachos: Use chicken, feta cheese, red onion, olives, diced tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce.
Taco Nachos: Season the meat with taco seasoning. Top with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and Mexican crema.

Feel free to mix and match toppings to create your own signature BBQ nachos!

Tips for Making the Best BBQ Nachos

Use high quality tortilla chips that won’t get soggy
Avoid overloading the chips into piles, spread them out
Sprinkle cheese first so it melts directly onto the chips
Make sure to bake long enough for the cheese to fully melt
Add cold toppings like salsa and sour cream after baking
Transfer baked nachos carefully from pan to plate
Serve immediately for hot and crisp nachos
Have extra BBQ sauce for drizzling over the nachos when eating

Common BBQ Nachos FAQs

Can you make BBQ nachos on the stove?

Yes, you can make nachos on the stovetop instead of baking them. Simply layer the chips, cheese, and meat in an oven-safe skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the cheese melts. Then remove from heat and top with any other ingredients. Stovetop nachos don’t take as long to make but won’t have as much melted cheesy coverage.

How long does it take to bake BBQ nachos?

Most BBQ nacho recipes take 6-10 minutes to bake at 400°F. The exact time depends on how hot your oven runs and how crispy you want the chips. Check frequently once the cheese starts bubbling and remove once the cheese is fully melted and chips are starting to toast.

What kind of cheese is best for BBQ nachos?

Popular options include cheddar, Colby jack, Mexican blend, and pepper jack. For ultimate indulgence, use a mix of shredded cheeses. The key is using a cheese that melts smoothly. Avoid crumbly or non-melting cheeses.

Can you make BBQ nachos healthy?

There are a few healthier options. Use whole grain baked tortilla chips, turkey or chicken meat, reduced-fat cheese, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, etc. Keep portions sizes reasonable. But in general, moderation is key as nachos are a high calorie snack.

How do you keep BBQ nachos crispy?

Avoid over-piling the chips or they’ll get soggy. Spread the chips out evenly and bake just until the cheese melts. Let the nachos cool for 2-3 minutes before topping to help maintain the crunch. Store any leftovers in the fridge, not at room temperature. Re-crisp in a 300°F oven if needed.

Final Thoughts

With flavorful meat, melty cheese, crisp chips, and fresh toppings, BBQ nachos make for the ultimate game day snack. It’s easy to customize them to your tastes. Just be sure to layer all the elements properly and bake until hot and gooey. Now get ready to dig into delicious nachos!

Enjoy the rich BBQ flavor in an awesome Tex-Mex inspired appetizer. Making BBQ nachos at home lets you use high quality ingredients and add any toppings you crave. So fire up the oven and get ready to impress at your next gathering with these cheesy, meaty nachos.