25 Delicious Toppings for Nachos

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Looking for some amazing toppings for nachos? Look no further! Here’s a list of the best toppings for nachos! From traditional nacho toppings to a few unique toppings, this is an exhaustive list of 25 delicious ideas!

Nachos are the perfect game day food or fun dinner idea! We have “nacho night” at least a couple of times a month at our house!

Sky’s the limit with nacho toppings! From traditional nacho toppings to some unique ideas, let’s take a look at 25 delicious nacho toppings!

POPULAR NACHO TOPPINGS

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

1. Ground Beef

Seasoned ground beef is the perfect topping for nachos! We usually just season it up with a little taco seasoning and pile it on! Easy breezy!

A skillet of ground beef being cooked.

2. Chicken

Chicken nachos are also DELISH!!! Season chicken with taco seasoning or use this recipe to get perfectly seasoned chicken for nachos!

A cutting board of chopped, grilled chicken.
Photo Credit: Gimme Delicious

3. Ground Turkey

If you want to lighten up the protein a bit, ground turkey is an excellent option. This recipe for ground turkey meat goes perfectly on nachos!

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

Pulled Pork/Carnitas

Last in the protein category–pulled pork or carnitas makes a perfect pairing for nachos! Try this crockpot version of carnitas for your next batch of nachos!

A plate of carnitas cooked in the slow cooker.
Photo Credit: Recipe Tin Eats

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.

A glass bowl full of sour cream.

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!

A big white bowl of pico de gallo.

8. Melted, Shredded Cheese

Ok, 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 (AKA: NACHO CHEESE) on my nachos and you can make yours right at home with this easy recipe!

A tortilla chip being dipped in queso.
Photo Credit: Cafe Delites

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.

Fresh jalapeños on a white table.

12. Olives

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

A bunch of black olives in a bowl.

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!

A bowl of homemade hot sauce.

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!!

A bunch of sliced limes.

BEST VEGETARIAN 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 like this Simple Sweet Corn Salad and use it your “salsa!”

A large white bowl of yellow corn.

19. Peppers and Onions

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

A bowl of peppers and onions which is a good vegetarian topping option for nachos.
Photo Credit: Isabel Eats

UNIQUE NACHO TOPPPINGS

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.

A bowl of canned pineapple.

23. Fried Chicken

Ummmm….because….WHY NOT??!! You cannot go wrong with fried chicken on ANYTHING!

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!!

Photo Credit: Sally’s Baking Addiction

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the best sides dishes that go well with nachos?

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 and Mexican slaw. You can get these recipes and see a list of 21 Amazing Sides for Nachos here.

What combinations make the best nacho toppings?

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.

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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!

A tray of chili con carne nachos.

Hopefully this post has given you some great nacho topping ideas! Ready to make the perfect nachos?! Start with my Ultimate Air Fryer Nachos (you can also throw them in the oven!) and these Chili con Carne Nachos! Let me know what you think! Also, please SUBSCRIBE HERE and follow me on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK and PINTEREST!

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