Search locations or food
OR
Sign up

Authentic Nachos Recipe Alternate Text Piedras Negras, Mexico

JUMP TO RECIPE

We strongly advise you to read the cooking tips before jumping to the recipe though

Introduction & history

A popular snack that is enjoyed at sporting events, in bars over a cold drink, and as an appetizer, nachos can be prepared simply, quickly, and with just a few basic ingredients. The first building block is tortillas, preferably corn flour ones since their taste is more intense. They are cut into quarters which will each become a single triangle-shaped nacho. Next, tortilla triangles are either brushed with some oil and baked in an oven or under a broiler or fried shortly in a skillet in hot oil. After being cooled slightly, they are topped with grated longhorn cheese and a slice of pickled jalapeño pepper and baked again shortly, so the cheese melts. Nachos are often served with various dips such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and ranch dressing. The authentic nachos recipe evolved over time, so nowadays nachos can be prepared with virtually any topping imaginable. Most common suggestions include beans, small pieces of meat, or minced meat such as chili con carne, chorizo,... Read more

Serve With

Salsa

Pico de gallo

North America

4.2

Rate It

Dip

Guacamole

North America

4.4

Rate It

Cooking tips

  • tortillas

    The most common type of tortilla used in the preparation of nachos is the corn tortilla, usually taco-sized. Each tortilla is cut into bite-sized quarters and can be either fried in oil, or baked in an oven for 15 to 20 minutes, so it becomes golden and crispy. If you fry the tortillas in a skillet, canola and peanut oils are the best options because of their neutral taste. It takes about 3 minutes ... Read more
  • cheese

    Typically, nachos are made with longhorn cheese, a soft and mild cheese variety which melts well. Alternatively, Monterrey Jack cheese can also be used, and other options include sharp cheddar and Oaxacan cheese.
  • jalapeño peppers

    The authentic nachos recipe calls for one slice of pickled jalapeño pepper per nacho. Fresh jalapeño or other fresh pepper varieties do not have the tanginess which gives nachos its distinctive taste.
  • other toppings

    Nachos are truly a blank canvas for anyone willing to experiment with toppings. Finely chopped onion and some refried black beans are often added to the authentic nachos topping. Other options are endless – chili con carne, various meat, olives, garlic, pickles, cilantro, pico de gallo and so on. To avoid nachos from becoming soggy, the toppings should not be too moist.
  • dips

    Very often, nachos are served with sour cream, salsa, ranch dressing, or guacamole sauce. A cool dip is a great accompaniment to a plate of hot nachos.

Recipe variations

Original Nachos

PREP 5min

COOK 13min

READY IN 18min

4.4

Rate It

The following is the original nachos recipe as explained by the inventor of the dish Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya. Simplicity and some attentiveness are the key components, especially in the last round of baking, when the nachos need to be closely watched so they don't burn. The ingredients needed are just corn tortillas, longhorn cheese, jalapeño, and canola oil. 

Ingredients

3 Servings

Original Nachos

3 corn tortillas

1 cup (3 oz) (90g) shredded longhorn cheese

1 tbsp canola oil

12 pickled jalapeño slices

Preparation

1

Original Nachos

Step 1/4

Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F/180°C.

Step 2/4

Apply oil to both sides on each tortilla using a brush. Cut them into quarters and bake for 7 to 10 minutes, until they become darker brown, but not burnt.

Step 3/4

Grate the cheese and sprinkle it on top of each tortilla quarter evenly, then top with one slice of pickled jalapeño per triangle.

Step 4/4

Place the nachos in a baking dish and bake for 3 more minutes, so the cheese becomes bubbly. Alternatively, you can bake the nachos under a broiler for one minute. Keep a close watch on the nachos, so they don’t burn.

Rating And Comments

Rate It

Wanna try?

Add To List

Other authentic recipes