What To Serve With Nachos?

When you think about Mexican food, you’ll automatically think about nachos. This Mexican staple is a plate of chips covered in cheese and toppings like beans, meat, salsa, or guacamole. The best thing about this dish is that it’s easy to make. You can serve them as an appetizer at your next party or as a main course for dinner.

If you’re thinking of making nachos but are unsure what to serve them with, you can always go classic and serve them with salsa. Or, if you want something more interesting, try doing the nachos with spicy chicken wings.

Here are some other dishes for nachos to try and how to make them:

1. Tacos

Tacos are always the tandem and accompaniment to nachos. These two dishes together are perfect because they complement each other. If you’re looking for a quick meal, tacos are great because they take less than 30 minutes to prepare.

To make the perfect tacos, you will need to choose the best beef for the filling—Use ground beef instead of steak since it has a lower fat content. The amount of meat will depend on how many people you’re feeding.

Once you have the beef meat, you need to cook it first. Then add all the taco ingredients, such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, fresh cilantro, citrus juice, and savory toppings for an extra kick and perfect blend to cheesy nachos. 

Next, you will need to pick out the good tortillas. Choose corn tortillas because they are healthier than flour tortillas. It would be best to look for gluten-free options since most people with celiac disease cannot consume wheat products. 

2. Quesadillas

Another classic Mexican staple that makes a great partner for nachos quesadillas. These are similar to tacos, but instead of being served on a flat surface, they are usually folded over. They are typically filled with cheese and then grilled until golden brown.

Quesadillas are very versatile. You can fill them with meat, vegetables, cheese, or anything else. For example, you could put black beans inside the quesadilla and top it off with shredded cheese.

3. Burritos

Burritos are another wrapped dish that is popular in Mexico. It’s a burrito without the shell. Instead of having a hard outer shell, burritos are made from soft flour tortillas.

You can find different kinds of burritos depending on where you live. In California, burritos are made from rice and beans, while in Texas, burritos are often filled with chili con carne.

4. Sloppy Joes

Sloppy joes can be messy, but they are a tasty treat. They are essentially hamburgers that are topped with ketchup and mustard.

The key to making sloppy joes is choosing the right meat. Make sure you get lean ground beef and avoid fatty cuts. Also, don’t forget to season the meat well before cooking.

To make sloppy joes, you will need your choice of meat, bread, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. Start by mixing the heart with the bread. Next, mix in the ketchup and mustard. Finally, spread the mixture onto the bun and place it in the oven.

5. Black Bean Soup

Black beans are a great alternative to meat, or you can use them together. You’ll need to start soaking the dried beans overnight to make black bean soup. After this process, drain the water and rinse the beans.

After rinsing the beans, you will need to add them into a pot along with some vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for about an hour. Once the beans are cooked, you can remove them from the heat and puree them.

6. Refried Beans

Another excellent bean recipe to try is refried beans. These are mashed-up beans that have been fried. If you want to serve these beans as a side dish, you can mash them and sprinkle them with salt. However, if you want to turn them into the main course, you will need to fry them.

To make refried beans, you will need some beans, oil, and seasoning. First, soak the beans overnight so that they become softer. Drain the water and rinse the soaked beans. Then, combine the beans with enough oil to cover them completely. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil starts to shimmer, reduce the heat to low. Add the beans to the pan and cook them for about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and allow the beans to cool down. Once cooled, transfer the contents into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Season the beans with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Spanish rice

Rice is also a staple in Mexican cuisine. Spanish rice is usually served at room temperature, which makes it perfect for snacking. The best part of Spanish rice is that it takes only 30 minutes to prepare.

To make Spanish rice, you will need brown basmati rice, chicken stock, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and oregano. Start by boiling the rice in salted water. While the rice is cooking, saute the onions in a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes and stir them around. Add the spices and continue stirring until all of the ingredients are combined. Pour the spice mixture into the rice and go about. Cover the pan and let the rice sit for 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

8. Chicken Wings

Nothing beats some classic fried chicken wings, and it makes the best pair for your nachos. Mexican salsa chicken wings are made with flour instead of cornmeal, which gives them a crispy texture. You can either deep fry them or bake them. For baking, you will need to coat the wings in flour, dip them in egg wash, and finally coat them in panko breadcrumbs. Bake the wings for 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Elote is a popular Mexican street snack. It’s basically boiled corn on the cob that has been seasoned with lime juice, chili powder, and salt. Elote is often eaten with chips, but you can enjoy it as a stand-alone snack.

To make elote, you will need fresh corn, limes, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cut off the kernels from the cob using a sharp knife. Mix the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pour this marinade onto the corn and toss it well. Let the corn sit for 15 minutes before serving.

10. Jalapeno Cornbread

Cornbread is a traditional hearty dish even in American cultures, but for Mexican people, it is an essential part of their diet. They use jalapenos to kick it. To make jalapeno cornbread, you will need cornmeal, milk, eggs, butter, jalapeños, and cheese. Mix the cornmeal with the other ingredients except for the jalapeños. Fold the jalapeñoes into the batter. 

The best thing about this recipe is you can adjust the spice level. This delectable dish is a must-have when you’re serving amazing nachos.

11. Beer

Of course, chicken tinga nachos and any Mexican food is best enjoyed while drinking beer. This is far by the best drink choice for nachos. But did you know that different types of beers are designed explicitly for Mexican dishes? One such example is Dos Equis Amber. This beer is brewed with real vanilla beans, giving it a sweet flavor.

Another good option is Corona Extra Light. This light beer is specially crafted to be refreshing and easy to drink.

12. Fajitas

Fajitas is a Mexican dish consisting of grilled meat served in a tortilla shell along with vegetables like bell peppers and onions. There are many variations of fajitas, depending on where you live. Some common ones include beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, and lamb.

To make fajitas, you will need skirt steak, onions, green peppers, red peppers, mushrooms, and garlic. Heat a grill pan or skillet over high heat. Season the steak with salt and pepper. Grill the steak for about 3 minutes per side for rare. Remove the steak from the grill and slice it thinly across the grain. Chop the onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Cook the onions in a dry pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the peppers and mushrooms and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Put everything in a bowl and serve.

13. Easy Mexican Rice

Mexican rice always bursts with flavor because of its spices. The secret behind making great Mexican rice lies in the type of rice used. White rice cooks much faster than brown rice, so if you want to get ahead, choose white rice. If you don’t have time to wait for the rice to cook, add water and let it simmer until it is absorbed.

14. Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

Mexican food is nothing without jalapenos, and this stuffed jalapeno recipe proves it. This simple dish for nachos is spicy peppers stuffed with ground beef, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. You can either bake them or fry them. Either way, they’re delicious!

15. Avocado Rice

Aside from guacamole, avocados can also be used as classic nacho toppings for tacos and burritos. It’s no wonder why avocado rice has become one of the most popular recipes on Pinterest. To make avocado rice, you’ll need cooked long-grain white rice, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, black beans, half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced avocados. Combine all of these ingredients in a large pot and stir well. Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

16. Empanadas

Empanadas are similar to ravioli, but instead of pasta dough, empanada dough is rolled out flat and then filled with whatever your heart desires. Cheese is usually the filling of choice, but you can also find savory fillings like spinach and mushroom.

To make empanadas, you will need flour, eggs, milk, oil, butter, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, oil, and sugar. Mix well. Pour the egg mixture into the well in the flour mixture. Stir until combined. Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is thin enough to fit into a pie plate. Fill each empanada with the desired filling—Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

17. Deep-fried Guacamole

Guacamole is a staple dip that goes perfectly with chips. But did you know you could deep-fry it? This favorite recipe makes a fantastic appetizer or snack. Just toss some ripe avocados with lime juice, season with salt and pepper, and stick them in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to go, take the chilled avocados out of the refrigerator and cut them in half. Scoop out the flesh and place it in a shallow dish. Use a spoon to mash the avocado flesh. Place the mashed avocado back in the shell halves and top with salsa, hot sauce, and other toppings. Fry the avocados in vegetable oil heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 minutes. Drain the fried avocados on paper towels. Serve immediately.

6 Best Dips To Serve With Nachos

If you don’t want to stick with the regular tomato salsa and sour cream, here are some excellent dip ideas to try for crunchy nachos:

1. Guacamole

Guacamole is a classic dip that works well with any chips. For best results, mix ripe avocados with fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

2. Crack Dip

The crack dip is a creamy concoction made of mayonnaise, sour cream, and chili powder. It’s perfect for dipping tortilla chips into.

3. Jalapeno Dip

For a spicier version of crack dip, add jalapeños to the mix. You can also add crushed red peppers if you prefer things less spicy.

4. Mexican/Spanish Rice

Mexican and Spanish rice goes well with nachos because it’s so flavorful. If you have leftover rice, this is a great way to use up leftovers.

5. Avocado Salad

Another way to use avocados and pair them with nachos is by creating an avocado salad. Slice an avocado in half and remove the pit. Slice the avocado into chunks and put them in a bowl. Add a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Toss everything together and serve. This complements nachos just the right way.

6. Black Beans

Black beans are a Mexican theme favorite. They go well, make an excellent partner for nachos, and are easy to prepare. Put canned black beans in a pot and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain the beans. Mash the beans slightly and stir in cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.