This nacho toppings list has 35 ideas for building the best plate of nachos, or a full nacho bar for a crowd. It covers proteins, beans, cheeses, fresh toppings, salsas and sauces, and a breakfast nachos twist. My easy sheet pan nachos recipe is near the end.
Nachos are our go to for football Sundays here in Southern California. I set up a nacho bar on the kitchen island and let everyone build their own plate. This list is everything I put out, plus what I have learned about keeping the chips crispy.
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Which Nacho Toppings Go in the Oven
Some toppings need heat. Others turn soggy or wilt if they go anywhere near the oven.
Meat, beans, and shredded cheese go on the chips before baking. Everything fresh, creamy, or cold goes on after the chips come out. Each topping below says which one it is.
35 Best Nacho Toppings, by Category
1. Crispy Tortilla Chips
Everything starts with the chip. Thick, restaurant style corn tortilla chips hold up under hot toppings. Thin chips break and go soft, so skip them for a nacho bar.
Proteins
2. Shredded Chicken
A rotisserie chicken is the easiest way to get shredded chicken on the table. Toss it with a little taco seasoning and a splash of broth so it stays moist. Add before baking.
3. Carnitas
Carnitas is seasoned pork cooked low and slow until it falls apart. Crisp the edges in a hot pan right before serving. Add before baking.
4. Shredded Brisket
Slow cooked brisket makes the richest nachos on this list. Chop it small so it spreads across the chips instead of landing in one pile. Add before baking.
5. Carne Asada
Carne asada is steak marinated in lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and cumin, then grilled. Slice it thin and against the grain. Add before baking.
6. Ground Turkey
Ground turkey is the lighter option and takes on taco seasoning well. Cook it with a little oil so it does not dry out. Add before baking.
7. Taco Seasoned Ground Beef
Browned ground beef with a packet of taco seasoning is the classic. I mix in a little chorizo for extra flavor. Add before baking.
Beans
8. Refried Pinto Beans
Refried beans act like glue. A thin layer helps the toppings stick to the chips. Warm them first so they spread easily. Add before baking.
9. Black Beans
Rinse and drain canned black beans, then warm them with a pinch of cumin. They are the best protein for vegetarian nachos. Add before baking.
Cheeses
10. Cheddar Cheese
Sharp cheddar gives you that tangy, golden layer. Shred it yourself if you can. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that keeps it from melting smoothly. Add before baking.
11. Monterey Jack Cheese
Jack melts better than any other cheese on this list. Use pepper jack for a little heat, or a bagged cheddar and jack blend to save time. Add before baking.
12. Cotija Cheese
Cotija is a dry, salty Mexican cheese that crumbles like feta. It does not melt, so sprinkle it on at the end. Add after baking.
13. Nacho Cheese Sauce
A warm cheese sauce covers every chip in a way shredded cheese cannot. For a party, keep it in a small slow cooker on the warm setting. Add after baking, or use it in place of shredded cheese.
Fresh Toppings For Nachos
14. Sliced Avocado
Slice avocado right before serving and squeeze lime over it so it does not brown. Add after baking.
15. Guacamole
My favorite topping. Mash ripe avocados with tomato, onion, cilantro, lime, and salt. Press plastic wrap onto the surface if you make it ahead. Add after baking.
16. Mexican Street Corn
Elote is grilled corn tossed with mayonnaise, cotija, chili powder, and lime. Cut the kernels off the cob so they scatter across the chips. Add after baking.
17. Chopped Green Onions
Green onions add a mild onion flavor and a bit of color. Slice them thin. Add after baking.
18. Bell Peppers
Diced red, yellow, and green peppers add crunch and sweetness. Dice them small so they do not slide off the chips. Add after baking.
19. Chopped Tomatoes
Seed the tomatoes first. The watery centers are what make chips soggy. Roma tomatoes work best. Add after baking.
20. Fresh Cilantro
Wash and pat the cilantro dry, then chop the leaves and tender stems together. Add after baking.
21. Black Olives
Sliced black olives add a salty bite. Drain them well. Add after baking.
22. Jalapeño Peppers
Fresh, pickled, or roasted, jalapeños bring the heat. Roasted ones are milder and smoky. Fresh slices can go on before baking. Pickled slices go on after.
23. Pickled Red Onions
Thin sliced red onion soaked in lime juice or vinegar for 30 minutes turns bright pink and loses its bite. This is the topping people always ask me about. Add after baking.
Salsa and Sauces
24. Mango Salsa
Diced mango, tomato, red onion, cilantro, and lime make a sweet and salty salsa. It is especially good on chicken or carnitas nachos. Add after baking.
25. Pico de Gallo
Pico is fresh salsa with no cooking. Diced tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime, and salt. Drain off the extra juice before it goes on the chips. Add after baking.
26. Red or Green Salsa
Set out one of each. Red salsa is smoky and mild. Green salsa (salsa verde) is tangy from tomatillos. Add after baking.
27. Hot Sauce
Line up two or three bottles from mild to fiery and let everyone pick. Add after baking.
28. Crema Mexicana
Crema is thinner and less tangy than sour cream, so it drizzles instead of dolloping. Look for it near the sour cream at the grocery store. Add after baking.
29. Sour Cream
Cool and tangy. It calms the heat from jalapeños and hot sauce. Add after baking.
Breakfast Nachos
Breakfast nachos are the same idea with morning toppings. Layer chips with cheese and bake, then top with eggs, bacon or sausage, avocado, and salsa. They are a fun brunch for a house full of grandkids, or you can try my breakfast charcuterie board for Christmas morning.
30. Scrambled Eggs
Soft scrambled eggs spooned over warm, cheesy chips. Cook them just until set so they stay creamy. Add after baking.
31. Fried Egg
A fried egg with a runny yolk on top of each plate. The yolk becomes the sauce. Add after baking.
32. Bacon
Cook the bacon crisp and crumble it. It can go on before or after baking.
33. Sausage
Browned breakfast sausage or spicy chorizo. Chorizo is my pick when I want more heat. Add before baking.
34. Green Enchilada Sauce
Spoon green enchilada sauce over the chips and pop them under the broiler for a few minutes. This is how you get close to chilaquiles at home. Add before baking.
35. Lime Wedges
A squeeze of lime wakes up every plate of nachos, breakfast or not. Set out a bowl of wedges at the end of the bar. Add after baking.
How to Set Up a Nacho Bar
A nacho bar works because the guests do the assembly. Here is the order I use on my kitchen island.
- Plates and napkins first, then a big basket of chips.
- Hot toppings next: meat, beans, and cheese sauce. Small slow cookers on the warm setting keep them hot for hours.
- Shredded cheeses in bowls right after the hot items so they melt a little on contact.
- Cold toppings in small bowls. Set the bowls in a tray of ice if the bar is outside or sitting out for more than an hour.
- Salsas, sauces, sour cream, and lime wedges at the end, each with its own spoon.
Keep the oven on low. Anyone who wants their plate melted together can slide it in for a few minutes.
Easy Sheet Pan Nachos Recipe
This is the plate I make when it is just the two of us. Everything goes on one sheet pan and it is done in 20 minutes.
Easy Sheet Pan Nachos
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Corn tortilla chips
- 1/2 lb. Meat of your choice
- 1/4 Cup Black beans or refried beans
- 1/4 Cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 Cup Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 Cup Tomatoes
- 1/4 Cup Bell peppers
- 1/8 Cup Red onion or green onions
- 1/8 Cup Cilantro
- 1/4 Cup Guacamole
- 1/8 Cup Cotija cheese
- 1/8 Cup Black olives
- 1/8 Cup Sour cream
- 1 Jar Salsa of your choice
- Wedge Lemon or lime
Instructions
- Add a single layer of chips onto a sheet pan.
- Add a Layer of meat, beans, and cheese.
- Continue to layer until you have used all the chips, meat, and cheese.
- Bakeat 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the chip edges aregolden. Confirm your temperature and time.
- Remove from the oven.
- Top the chips with tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and cilantro.
- Place the guacamole and sour cream on top.
- Lastly, garnish with black olives, salsa, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese.
Notes
Nacho FAQs
Not the assembled plate. Prep every topping the day before and store them in separate containers. Bake the chips, meat, and cheese right before serving and add the cold toppings at the table.
Plan on 3 to 4 ounces of chips per person, which is about half of a standard 13 ounce bag for every two guests. Buy one extra bag. Chips always run out before the toppings do.
A small 1.5 quart slow cooker on the warm setting holds cheese sauce for three to four hours. Stir every 30 minutes and add a splash of milk if it thickens.
Yes. Layer chips, meat, and cheese in the basket and cook at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes. Work in small batches so the cheese melts evenly.
Cooked meats and beans keep three to four days in the refrigerator. Pico de gallo and guacamole are best within two days. Freeze leftover carnitas or brisket for up to three months.
Wrapping It Up
With 35 nacho toppings to choose from, no two plates at your party will look the same. That is the fun of it.
If you are planning a whole game day spread, my wine and cheese charcuterie board and a smoked old fashioned round it out. For a fall party menu, start with these Halloween dinner party recipes.
More about me!
Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated “So Cal Gal” with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting in California. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to create a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home and garden, one project at a time.
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What a great list! I’m going to add a link to this post to my Nacho Bar post. Now I’m wanting nachos!!!
What an awesome and extensive list of topping to use for a big old nacho party.
Thanks so much for participating and sharing at SSPS 295. See you again next week!
So many amazing ideas here, many I never would have thought of. Thanks for sharing on SSPS, I hope to see you again next week.
Ohh….I love me some good nachos! You are making me hungry! I can’t wait to share your nacho recipe with my readers in tomorrow’s week in rewind!
Thank you Jen!
Wow! We’ll never run out of ideas for making nachos. Nachos have come a long way. These nacho ideas could have their own party!
LOL! I agree. It was a party within itself.
YUM! Nachos is one of those things I have experimented with because it is where I can sneak in vegetables on my husband. We love black beans, and fresh cilantro too, but I never considered a breakfast nacho idea! Now that is a gamechanger, and a new way for me to get him to eat more vegetables. You are always so clever! Thank you for sharing Wendy. Hope you are having a wonderful start to the new year!
A good plate of morning nachos with fresh veggies and eggs will make him so happy. Just smother them with green enchilada sauce.
The start of the New Year was hard for us; all three of us were sick for weeks. I was so depressed and fell behind, but that is life
and we have to go with the flow. I hope you are off to a great start.
This post definitely has my mouth watering. It all sounds so delicious, and I love the idea of breakfast nachos; bring on the savory in the morn! Great line up of ideas, Wendy; pinned!
This is such a great list! I’m pinning this for future use! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Susan! There are so many options to choose from.
You’re speaking my language! We are nacho freaks! Love these ideas. A lot we haven’t tried. Carnitas will be next on the list! So glad you got to join us. Thank you, pinned.
Thank you, Cindy! We, too, love nachos in this household. they are so easy for a fun football day.
Wendy, your Super Bowl nacho toppings are a veritable feast for the eyes!! So much goodness… I picked up a little Italian parsley and it is perfect on burritos and tacos. 🙂 I do forget about breakfast burritos, though. Great ideas!!
Your exceptional list of topping ideas for nachos is a real game changer. So many creative flavor combinations that I need to try! Love this post Wendy!
Yes! I sure was right when I dubbed you the Queen of Nachos. What a fabulous post — full off great ideas!
LOL! I do love a great plate of nachos! Come on over for the Super Bowl and we will have pizza and nachos.