25 Delicious Toppings for Nachos

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Looking for some amazing toppings for nachos to make your next party, taco night, or game day unforgettable? This list of 25 best nacho toppings has everything you need to build the perfect nacho bar.

Love nachos?! You have to try these smoked nachos! These fajita nachos are delish, too!!

PINTEREST pin for 25 best toppings for nachos.

Nachos are the perfect game day food or fun, easy dinner idea. We have nachos for dinner at least a couple of times a month at our house! Our favorite way is to do loaded nachos in the air fryer.

POPULAR NACHO TOPPINGS LIST

These popular nacho toppings might go on a nacho bar or just your everyday nachos. Here are some traditional toppings:

1. Ground beef or taco meat

Seasoned ground beef or taco meat is the perfect topping for nachos!

2. Chicken

Chicken nachos are delish! Use this fajita chicken recipe to make these amazing sheet pan nachos.

Chicken for the nachos cooking in a pan.

3. Ground Turkey

If you want to lighten up the protein a bit, ground turkey is an excellent option. Use a store-bought fajita seasoning or make your own homemade seasoning.

A skillet with ground turkey and a wooden spoon. — Photo Credit: Sum of Yum

4. Steak (Carne Asada)

Mmmmm….steak nachos!!! Doesn’t get much better than that! Try this amazing carne asada recipe to get the perfect steak for your nachos!

A juicy steak being sliced. — Photo Credit: Gimme Some Oven

5. Pulled Pork/Carnitas

Last in the protein category–pulled pork or carnitas makes a perfect pairing for nachos! Try this easy carnitas recipe for the perfect nacho topping!

5. Avocado or Guacamole

Diced avocado or chunky guac is essential on my nacho plate!

A bowl full of chunky guacamole. — Photo Credit: Love and Lemons

6. Sour Cream

Sour cream or Mexican crema is a must on nachos! If you want to drizzle (vs. dollop) your sour cream, mix it with a splash of milk to thin it out.

7. Salsa/Pico de Gallo

You can use your favorite store bought salsa, but I prefer this easy homemade pico de gallo! It’s so fresh!

8. Cheese

You CANNOT have traditional nachos without cheese, right??! What’s the best cheese for nachos? Most importantly, you want a cheese that melts well. Freshly grated cheese will melt best. Here are some cheese options: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Pepper Jack and White American.

A wooden platter with shredded white cheese.

9. Queso

Shredded cheese or queso…that is the question! I LOVE melty queso on these chili con carne nachos and you can make yours right at home with this easy recipe!

A sheet pan with chili con carne nachos.

10. Green Onions/Scallions

Great for garnish and a little freshness and crunch! Red onion also works well.

Chopped scallions on a plate--scallions are a traditional nacho topping.

11. Jalapeños

If you like a little spice, jalapeños are essentials for nachos! Some like chopped fresh jalapeños, but the jarred ones are delicious and traditional as well.

12. Olives

Black olives are a delicious, traditional topping for nachos. I like buying them pre sliced!

13. Lettuce

Although lettuce is sometimes overlooked as a topping for nachos, finely shredded iceberg lettuce actually makes an excellent topping for nachos! It’s crunchy and adds a nice freshness.

Two white bowls of lettuce. Lettuce makes a great, crunchy topping for nachos.

14. Hot Sauce

Whether you are a Tabasco fan or have another fave, if you are a fan of spice, a sprinkle of hot sauce is never a bad idea!

15. Lime Juice

This is another “topping” that is often overlooked! A simple squeeze of lime juice really brightens up your plate of nachos! Try it!!

BEST VEGETARIAN NACHO TOPPINGS

Nachos are so easy to make all-veggie for non-meat eaters. Here are some of our favorite meatless nacho toppings.

16. Beans

You can add beans + meat to your nachos or just skip the meat all together and use beans as your protein. Refried beans and black beans are the most popular options.

Refried beans are a traditional topping for nachos. Refried beans being cooked in a pan.

17. Soffritas

Need another vegetarian option for your nachos? Oh, baby..this is a GREAT one! Even if you are not a vegetarian, soffritas is SO DARN GOOD! This recipe is a Chipotle copycat and will have you hooked!

Soffritas being cooked in a large skillet with a spoon. — Photo Credit: Eating Bird Food

18. Corn

I LOVE the sweetness corn brings to nachos! You could even top your nachos with a corn salad and use it your “salsa!”

19. Peppers and Onions

Similar to a fajita filling, these peppers and onions make an excellent veggie topping for nachos!

Veggies for the nachos cooking in a pan.

UNIQUE NACHO TOPPPINGS

Want to shake things up a bit?! Try these unexpected, but delicious, nacho toppings!

20. Chili

Chili con Carne (without beans) makes the most amazing nacho topping! Make these Chili con Carne Nachos and you will be hooked!

A bowl of chili con carne, which makes a great topping for nachos.

22. Pineapple

Might sound a bit odd, but the sweetness can be delish! I like to opt for fresh pineapple on nachos.

23. Fried Chicken

Ummmm….because….WHY NOT??!! You cannot go wrong with fried chicken on ANYTHING! Dice it up into nice bite-sized pieces.

A unique topping for nachos is fried chicken. A plate of fried chicken legs.

24. Shrimp

Take a look at these shrimp nachos! White queso, salsa, shrimp and a little guac….if you are a fan of shrimp, this is heaven, I tell ya!

Shrimp Nachos on a large sheet pan. — Photo Credit: A Couple Cooks

25. Fruit

We’re talking about UN-TRADITIONAL nachos, so let’s switch it up and try these delicious dessert/fruit nachos! Hope you saved room for dessert!!

Your questions answered

Nachos can stand on their own as a meal, but if you need a little extra, here are some great sides for nachos: Quesadillas, taquitos, street corn salad and Mexican slaw. You can get these recipes and see a list of 21 Amazing Sides for Nachos here.

Here are four great nacho topping combinations:
1) Traditional: Ground beef, melted cheese, sour cream, salsa, olives, green onions.
2) The “Taco Bell”: Ground beef, queso, refried beans, diced tomatoes, sour cream.
3) Chili Nachos: Chili, queso, sour cream, scallions/red onion.
4) Vegetarian: Soffritas, avocado, pico de gallo, sour cream.

AMAZING NACHO RECIPES

Recipe 1: Ultimate Nachos (Air Fryer or Oven)

These ultimate air fryer nachos are loaded with meat, beans, cheese and tons of amazing, customizable toppings! They are quick and easy and make a great snack or fun dinner! You can also pop them in the oven, if you don’t have an air fryer!

An air fryer tray of nachos topped with ground beef, olives, salsa and sour cream.

Recipe 2: Chili con Carne Nachos

Tortilla chips are topped with easy homemade chili con carne, drizzled with queso and sour cream and finished with a sprinkle of onions! This is the ultimate game-day (or any day!) treat!