If you’re wondering what to put on top of nachos, then you have come to the right place!
From veggies to meats, here’s our list of 42 best nacho toppings—all of which can take your nacho game to the next level!
Nachos are delicious!
Can’t you just imagine the gooey cheesiness of nacho cheese and the cracker-like crunchiness of the nachos?
YUM!
Nachos are an incredibly versatile food item, and they go incredibly well with so many toppings.
Whether you opt for a sweet, tangy, cheesy, sour, or savory topping, it’s bound to taste good.
So, let’s take a look at some of the best nacho toppings out there!
There are just so many varied toppings that you can put on top of nachos.
Each topping adds its unique flavor and texture to the dish, which takes this crowd-pleasing Mexican food to the next level.
By the way, nachos’ leftovers are incredible, too; learn how to reheat nachos perfectly here!
If you want to take your nacho game to the next level, then top the tortilla chips with some grilled shrimp that’s doused in lime juice and sprinkled with some chipotle chili powder.
Add some sliced avocado, grated Monterey Jack, queso fresco, and seeded and sliced jalapenos on top of the shrimp for a heavenly dish.
2. The Classic
There’s just something so satisfying and delicious about a large platter of nachos covered in the classic topping.
This is my favorite and I have it about once a week lately.
The classic topping for nachos includes chopped jalapenos, guacamole, salsa Fresca, sour cream, black olives, sharp cheddar cheese, and ground beef or chili.
Make sure to serve the wet toppings separately so that they don’t turn the nachos into a soggy mess.
Wondering what to put on top of nachos?
How about some BBQ chicken and pineapples?
Shred some rotisserie chicken, cover it with some BBQ sauce, and put it on top of your nachos.
Top the chicken with some grilled pineapple slices.
The pineapple adds a sweet and smoky flavor that balances the savoriness of the nachos.
Finish the topping off with some shredded Monterey Jack.
4. Eggs & Bacon
Top your nachos with some eggs—poached, fried, boiled, etc., whatever you like—and some chopped veggies.
Top the veggies with some zucchini pico de gallo.
Add some cheddar cheese on top and finish the topping with a generous helping of fried bacon.
Who says nachos have to be salty?
Prepare some cinnamon nachos and pair them with some sweet nachos toppings!
My favorite sweet topping is fruit salsa!
Cut some fresh kiwis, strawberries, oranges, and pineapples.
Mix the fruits and top your cinnamon nachos with this fruit salsa.
Don’t forget to drain the salsa first so that it doesn’t turn the nachos soggy.
You can even top the salsa with some melted white chocolate!
This nacho topping is truly heavenly for all vegetarians out there!
Chop some cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, spinach, artichoke hearts, bell peppers, and carrots.
Layer the veggies on top of your nachos.
Add a generous helping of melted cheese on top.
Although shredded rotisserie chicken is a popular nachos topping, fried chicken is just as good on top of nachos.
Prepare some fried chicken strips, chop them up, and put them on top of your tortilla chips.
Add some salsa, melted nacho cheese, guacamole, and sour cream on top.
8. Beer Brats
Looking for a hearty, grilling season combo for your nachos?
Look no further than brats boiled in some beer.
Put the brats on top of your nachos and pair them with some sautéed peppers.
Finish off the topping with a generous helping of nacho cheese.
Mexican salsa, Pico de Gallo, is traditionally made with onion, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and lime juice.
You can add jalapeno in the mix for spiciness, but you can leave it out for a milder Pico de Gallo.
Also, you can easily adjust the recipe to suit your taste.
You can add more tomatoes for sweetness or add more jalapeno peppers if you want a fiery salsa.
If you want a more fruity take on the recipe, just add peaches.
Nachos with pico de gallo is a sports bar classic, and you can prepare it anytime when you want to watch a big game or a movie with your family and friends.
10. Barbacoa Beef
Beef Barbacoa Nachos is a recipe that is easy to make.
Prepare the toasted chips in a tray and top it with layers of slow-cooked beef barbacoa, melted cheese, and other toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro.
Beef Barbacoa Nachos are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack.
11. Black Beans
Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos are both sweet and savory, and adding pickled red onions on top adds zing to the dish.
You can also drizzle creamy sour cream as a finishing touch to balance the pickled red onions and the heat of the black beans.
12. Sweet Corn
Sweet Corn Nachos are cheesy, sweet, savory, and fresh.
It is a dish that checks all the boxes for an appetizer or snack.
As for the corn, if corn on the cob is not an option, you can use frozen corn instead.
It will still give the buttery flavor you’re looking for in sweet corn.
13. Chili
Chili Cheese Nachos are piled with homemade chili and warm cheese sauce.
You can add jalapenos to the tortilla chips for a more spicy flavor.
Chili’s are easy to make as you’ll only need a few ingredients.
Prepare chopped onions, ground beef, chili powder, cumin, tomato paste, sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
Once you’ve combined the ingredients, stir them well and add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
14. Ground Turkey
This nachos recipe is savory and filling, thanks to the Thanksgiving favorite, ground turkey.
Ground turkey, also called minced turkey, is a mixture of dark and light turkey meat with remaining skin and fat processed together until a ground form emerges.
The turkey meat, fat, and skin is taken off the bone and processed with additives so it will last longer.
You can prepare this topping in just 20 minutes, and you can add cheese, tomatoes and other classic nachos toppings too.
15. Mango Salsa
Beautiful, delicious, and unique, these nachos, topped with mango salsa, will certainly be your next obsession.
These dreamy and flavorful nachos are simple to prepare.
The result is an incredible combination of crunchy tortilla chips topped with ground meat and further glorified by a fresh mango salsa that adds a tangy taste.
Top the nachos with feta cheese and yogurt dip.
16. Pulled Pork
These Pulled Pork Nachos are festive, tasty, and savory.
Pulled pork is made with pork shoulder, spices, and Coke to tenderize the meat and add sweetness to it.
The pork will turn juicy, soft, and tender, and you have the choice to cook it in the oven, slow cooker, frying pan, or instant pot.
Whether you are planning for a party, a weekend get-together, or a weeknight diner, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
You can mix BBQ sauce in it, or you can pair it with your favorite side dishes.
Make this even zestier by serving it with additional toppers like shredded lettuce, ranch dressing, and coleslaw.
This Pulled Pork Nachos recipe is perfect for those that want something heavy to eat for a snack.
17. Steak
These Steak Nachos are the ultimate appetizer.
It is tangy, creamy, a bit spicy, and savory.
Steak Nachos are perfect for your next game day party or a fun family dinner.
Up your nacho game with this mouthwatering and decadent Salsa Verde Nachos.
You can never go wrong with crunch, cheesy, and slightly spicy shredded chicken nachos.
Salsa Verde Nachos with Shredded Chicken is perfect for a snack or dinner.
19. Lobster
Grilled Lobster Nachos smothered with old bay seasoned queso sauce are the nachos of champions.
You can make the queso ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for a couple of days, then reheat it while the lobster is cooking.
Cut the lobster tails and toss them in a skillet with tortilla chips.
Add freshly grated cheese, black beans, and other classic nachos toppings.
20. Cilantro
The creamy cilantro lime drizzle is a unique and tasty take on the typical nachos toppings.
Perfect for vegetarians, the lime drizzle gives the tortilla chips a zesty flavor that blends so well with cilantro and cheese.
21. Chorizo
Savory meets spicy in this Chorizo-Pineapple Nachos recipe.
This fresh and new twist on the traditional nacho recipes will leave you wanting more.
Aside from the chopped chorizo and pineapple bits, you can add other toppings of your choice.
22. Ground Pork
Ground Pork Nachos topped with olives, mozzarella cheese, red peppers, and spring onions make for a fantastic party food recipe to serve to your friends and family.
The Ground Pork Nachos are not only delicious, but it is easy to make too.
You can prepare this recipe as game-day food or an appetizer for any other celebration.
23. Salmon
These BBQ Salmon Nachos are a go-to summer appetizer and snack recipe.
Mix shredded salmon and BBQ sauce and place it on top of crispy tortilla chips.
Drizzle melted cheese on top for a complete dish.
24. Tater Tots
Tater Tot Nachos are topped with crispy Tater Tots and drizzled with bacon and melted cheese.
You can purchase processed Tater Tots in grocery stores, but you can also make your own.
What makes homemade Tater Tots different from processed ones is that you can choose the ingredients that you want in them.
After peeling russet potatoes, add chopped fresh parsley, salt, pepper, onion powder, cornstarch, and cheddar cheese.
You can bake the Tater Tots that you’ve made, or you can fry them if you want them crispier.
This delicious snack just takes minutes to prepare and is perfect for movie nights or game nights with your loved ones.
25. Pizza Toppings
Combine two classic sports bar favorites, pizza and nachos, and you’ve got yourself a filling and delicious recipe.
Pizza Nachos are so addictive that you will make more than one pan.
Plus, it is a perfect appetizer for any party or football game, as well as a snack or lunch.
You can change the nachos by adding any pizza toppings you like, such as bell peppers, pepperoni, olives, and mushrooms.
26. Bulgogi
Add Korean flavor to your nachos by using Bulgogi and kimchi as toppings.
The Bulgogi beef adds a savory flavor to the dish, and the kimchi adds just the right amount of spice and zest.
You can add mozzarella on top for a gooey cheesy snack.
The decadent combination of peanut butter and jelly is not just for donuts and sandwiches; you can also mix them in your nachos.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Nachos make for an amazing and unique dessert, and the mixture of sweetness and saltiness works out better than expected.
28. Kimchi
These Korean kimchi nachos provide the perfect combination of sour and spicy from kimchi and Korean sauce.
The kimchi balances out the smoothness of the sour cream and the crunchiness of the tortilla chips.
It is the perfect appetizer to eat with your friends.
If you want something savory on top of it, you can add roasted chicken.
29. Jackfruit
Jackfruits are fibrous and chewy, and their texture is similar to pulled pork when it is cooked.
If you are a vegetarian, jackfruits are an excellent meat substitute, and you can use them as a topping on your nachos.
These jackfruit nachos are also dairy free, so it is perfect for that lactose intolerant.
30. Sausage
Sausage Nachos are a delicious way to upgrade your basic nachos.
If you have leftover sausages, don’t let them go to waste.
You can simply chop them and sprinkle them on top of your nachos, and add melted cheese.
31. Ham
Ham Nachos are the most simple and fun of communal dishes.
Adding ham, black beans, cheeses, and roasted jalapenos elevates the taste of the crunchy tortilla chips.
You can serve this while watching a game or a movie with your friends.
32. Fish
These Fish Nachos are made with white fish such as cod, halibut, flounder, or sablefish.
Add the shredded fish on top of tortilla chips, and drizzle cheese and garlic yogurt sauce as a finishing touch.
Fish Nachos are perfect for those who are not keen on eating meat.
33. Mushrooms
These Garlic Mushroom Nachos are vegetarian nachos topped with chilies, garlic mushrooms, and Lancashire cheese.
You can serve these Garlic Mushroom Nachos as an appetizer at your party or as a snack at a weekend gathering.
34. Hummus
Nachos with hummus are topped with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini, and tzatziki sauce.
These nachos make a perfect party appetizer and are ideal for vegetarians.
35. Tuna
Tuna is another fish you can use as toppings on your nachos.
Cut the tuna and mix it with onions, Sriracha sauce, mayonnaise, lime juice, and soy sauce.
36. Peanut Sauce
Thai Chicken Nachos are slathered with peanut sauce, mozzarella cheese, cilantro, red bell pepper, carrots, and green onion.
This recipe combines the delicious Mexican dish and decadent Thai taste so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
37. Pad Thai
Thailand’s most famous dish is Pad Thai, so if you’re craving that delicious Asian taste, why not add it to your crunch nachos?
Add cilantro, Sriracha sauce, peanut butter, garlic, Monterey Jack, rotisserie chicken, and roasted peanuts on top of tortilla chips for that distinct Pad Thai taste.
38. Basil Chicken
Thai Basil Chicken Nachos are easy to make and the perfect fusion party appetizer for nachos and Thai food lovers.
Spicy and garlicky Thai basil chicken, plenty of melty cheeses, and jalapeno peppers get piled high onto tortilla chips and baked to spicy, crispy, and cheese fusion nachos perfection!
39. Paneer
Give your nachos an Indian twist with this Paneer Nachos recipe.
This recipe contains yogurt sauce, spiced paneer, tomato salsa, chutneys, and papdi.
Perfect for vegetarians, Paneer Nachos are also loaded with tortilla chips, beans, and cilantro.
40. Chatpata
These Indian-style Chatpata Nachos feature a gooey texture with the goodness of vegetables and flavorful spices.
The new take on nachos draws inspiration from chaat, with masala and chutneys.
Whether served as an evening snack or a light meal, this decadent twist on the beloved classic is a must-have.
41. Banh Mi
Banh Mi is a classic Vietnamese sandwich, and you can add this delicious dish on top of your nachos.
Add garlic-ginger sausage, cilantro, scallions, radishes, kimchi, carrots, and fresh lime juice on top of tortilla chips to complete this Vietnamese recipe.
Savory beef, crispy tortilla chips, melty cheese, caramelized onions, and spicy jalapeños make these nachos the perfect game-day dish, snack, or appetizer.
The bottom line
If you want your nachos to remain crunchy and gooey, then always serve them with a double layer of tortilla chips and I hope you enjoyed reading this guide on nachos toppings.
Make sure to try all the toppings that I’ve mentioned above, as each one brings its distinct texture and flavor to the dish.
If you want your nachos to remain crunchy, then serve the wet toppings, such as salsa, sour cream, etc., on the side instead of on top of the nachos.
Simply place them in bowls next to the nachos so that people can simply dip their nachos in them.
Best Nacho Toppings
From veggies to meats, here’s our list of 42 best nacho toppings—all of which can take your nacho game to the next level!
Ingredients
- Shrimp & Avocado
- The Classic
- BBQ Chicken & Pineapple
- Eggs & Bacon
- Fruity Nachos
- All The Veggies
- Fried Chicken
- Beer Brats
- Pico De Gallo
- Barbacoa Beef
- Black Beans
- Sweet Corn
- Chili
- Ground Turkey
- Mango Salsa
- Pulled Pork
- Steak
- Salsa With Shredded Chicken
- Lobster
- Cilantro
- Chorizo
- Ground Pork
- Salmon
- Tater Tots
- Pizza Toppings
- Bulgogi
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
- Kimchi
- Jackfruit
- Sausage
- Ham
- Fish
- Mushrooms
- Hummus
- Tuna
- Peanut Sauce
- Pad Thai
- Basil Chicken
- Paneer
- Chatpata
- Banh Mi
- Caramelized Onions
Instructions
- Skim through our Nacho Toppings list.
- Select the topping you’re looking for.
- Prep the ingredients as instructed.
- Spill your thoughts on our Facebook page!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g