Carne Asada Nachos Recipe

These Steak Nachos Recipe are made with carne asada marinated in soy sauce and lime juice, and served with tortilla chips, jalapeños, queso blanco, cilantro, and avocado.

Craving a delicious and satisfying dish that's perfect for sharing with friends and family? Look no further than carne asada nachos! This classic dish is a crowd-pleaser for a reason, combining tender grilled steak, melted cheese, and flavorful toppings like fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapenos for a bold and delicious flavor. Whether you're hosting a party, looking for a quick and easy meal, or just want to indulge in a tasty snack, carne asada nachos are the perfect choice.

If you love this recipe, feel free to make just my Carne Asada Recipe or my Carne Asada Tacos.

Jump to:

• What are Steak Nachos?
• Why you will love this recipe
• Steak Nachos Recipe Ingredients
• How to make Steak Nachos
• What to serve with Steak Nachos
• Substitutions
• Steak Nachos Recipe Variations
• Equipment
• How to store Steak Nachos
• Steak Nachos Recipe Top tips
• Steak Nachos Recipe
• Food safety

What are Steak Nachos?

Steak Nachos, or Carne asada nachos, are a popular Mexican dish that consists of crispy tortilla chips topped with seasoned grilled steak (carne asada), melted cheese, and a variety of flavorful toppings. The dish is often served as an appetizer or a main course and is commonly found at Mexican restaurants and food trucks. The toppings can include chopped tomatoes, red onions, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado, and sour cream. Carne asada nachos are a delicious and satisfying dish that are perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Why you will love this recipe

• Flavorful: The combination of grilled steak, melted cheese, and flavorful toppings like fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapenos creates a delicious and bold flavor profile that is hard to resist.
• Versatile: Carne Asada Nachos can be customized to your liking by adding your favorite toppings. You can also use different types of cheese or meat to make the dish your own.
• Easy to make: Carne Asada Nachos are relatively easy to make and can be prepared quickly, making them a great option for a quick meal or party appetizer.
• Shareable: Carne Asada Nachos are a shareable dish that can be enjoyed with friends and family, making them perfect for gatherings or parties.
• Textures: The combination of crispy tortilla chips, tender grilled steak, and melted cheese creates a variety of textures that make the dish more enjoyable.
• Aesthetically pleasing: Carne Asada Nachos are a visually appealing dish with colorful toppings that make them more appetizing.

Steak Nachos Recipe Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Skirt steak
• Olive oil
• Soy sauce
• Apple cider vinegar
• Jalapeño
• Red onion
• Garlic
• Lime
• Orange
• Steak seasoning
• Cilantro
• Salt and pepper
• Tortilla chips
• Cheese
• Scallions
• Avocado
• Pico de gallo

See recipe card for Steak Nachos Recipe quantities.

How to make Steak Nachos

Hint: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For medium-rare steak, the temperature should read around 135°F. If you prefer your steak more well-done, cook it to your desired temperature. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

What to serve with Steak Nachos

• Guacamole: This classic dip made with avocado, lime, and cilantro is the perfect complement to the bold flavors of the carne asada.
• Salsa: Fresh or homemade salsa can add a burst of flavor to the nachos. You can make it mild or spicy, depending on your preference.
• Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream can help balance out the spice and add creaminess to the dish.
• Pico de gallo: This fresh tomato, onion, and cilantro salsa is another great addition to the nachos.
• Refried beans: A side of refried beans can add a creamy texture and a rich flavor to the dish.
• Rice: Some fluffy rice can help soak up the juices and flavors of the nachos.
• Margaritas or Mexican beer: For an adult beverage pairing, margaritas or a cold Mexican beer can complement the flavors of the dish and provide a refreshing drink to enjoy alongside the nachos.

Substitutions

• Steak: If you don't eat beef, you can substitute the skirt steak with another protein of your choice such as chicken, shrimp, tofu, or portobello mushrooms.
• Olive oil: You can use another oil of your choice such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.
• Soy sauce: If you're avoiding soy, you can use coconut aminos, tamari sauce, or Worcestershire sauce as a substitute.
• Apple cider vinegar: You can use white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar as a substitute.
• Jalapeño: If you don't like spicy food, you can omit the jalapeño or use a milder pepper such as poblano pepper.
• Red onion: You can use white onion, shallots, or green onion as a substitute.
• Garlic: You can use garlic powder, onion powder, or minced shallots as a substitute.
• Lime and orange: You can use lemon, grapefruit, or pineapple juice as a substitute.
• Steak seasoning: You can use a mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano as a substitute.
• Cilantro: If you don't like cilantro, you can use parsley, basil, or mint as a substitute.
• Tortilla chips: You can use another type of chips such as pita chips, bagel chips, or potato chips.
• Cheese: If you're dairy-free, you can use vegan cheese, nutritional yeast, or omit the cheese altogether.
• Scallions: You can use red onion, chives, or green onion as a substitute.
• Avocado: If you don't like avocado, you can omit it or use another creamy ingredient such as hummus or Greek yogurt.
• Pico de gallo: You can use salsa, chopped tomatoes, or chopped bell peppers as a substitute.

Steak Nachos Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian/vegan: Use meat substitutes like tofu or jackfruit instead of carne asada. Swap out cheese with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.
• Chicken or shrimp: Substitute the carne asada with grilled chicken or shrimp.
• Korean-style: Top the nachos with kimchi, gochujang sauce, and shredded beef bulgogi.
• Tex-Mex: Top the nachos with black beans, corn, and jalapeños.
• Breakfast-style: Serve carne asada nachos with fried eggs, avocado, and salsa for a breakfast twist.
• Loaded: Add extra toppings like sliced jalapeños, sliced radishes, chopped tomatoes, and guacamole.
• Sweet potato: Roast sweet potato slices and use them as the base for the nachos instead of tortilla chips. Top with carne asada, cheese, and avocado.
• BBQ-style: Add BBQ sauce to the carne asada and top the nachos with coleslaw, grilled corn, and pickled red onions.
• Greek-style: Use feta cheese instead of cheddar and add toppings like tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, and sliced olives.
• Philly-style: Top the carne asada nachos with grilled onions and peppers, melted provolone cheese, and a drizzle of garlic aioli.

Check out my Carne Asada Sopes Recipe.

Equipment

• Grill or grill pan: To cook the carne asada, you'll need a grill or grill pan. A grill will give the meat a smoky flavor, but a grill pan will work just as well if you don't have access to a grill.
• Cutting board: A large cutting board will be helpful for cutting the carne asada and other ingredients.
• Sharp knife: A sharp knife will make it easier to cut the meat and other ingredients evenly.
• Mixing bowl: You'll need a mixing bowl to marinate the carne asada.
• Tongs: Tongs will be helpful for handling the carne asada on the grill or grill pan.
• Baking sheet: A large baking sheet will be useful for assembling and baking the nachos.
• Aluminum foil: Covering the baking sheet with aluminum foil will make cleanup easier.
• Spatula: A spatula will be helpful for transferring the nachos from the baking sheet to a serving platter.
• Serving platter: You'll need a large serving platter or tray to serve the nachos.
• Oven or microwave: To melt the cheese on the nachos, you'll need to heat them in the oven or microwave.

How to store Steak Nachos

Carne asada nachos are best enjoyed fresh and hot, but if you have leftovers, here are some tips on how to store them properly:

1. Refrigerate promptly: As soon as the nachos have cooled down, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate them promptly. Don't let them sit out at room temperature for more than two hours.
2. Keep toppings separate: If possible, store any leftover toppings separately from the nachos. This will prevent the chips from getting soggy.
3. Reheat properly: To reheat the nachos, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the nachos to an oven-safe dish and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the nachos are heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but be aware that the chips may become soft and the cheese may become rubbery.
4. Serve immediately: Once the nachos are reheated, serve them immediately. Don't let them sit out at room temperature for too long.
5. Don't freeze: Nachos don't freeze well, as the texture of the chips and toppings will be compromised.

Steak Nachos Recipe Top tips

• Marinate the carne asada for at least 30 minutes: Marinating the carne asada will infuse it with flavor and help tenderize the meat. Aim to marinate it for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 1-2 hours for maximum flavor.
• Preheat your grill or grill pan: Preheating your grill or grill pan is crucial to getting a nice sear on the carne asada. Make sure it's hot before adding the meat.
• Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will affect the overall flavor of the dish. Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best results.
• Don't overload the nachos: While it can be tempting to pile on the toppings, overloading the nachos can make them difficult to eat and lead to soggy chips. Aim for a balance of toppings and make sure each chip has some of everything.
• Layer the ingredients: Layering the ingredients will help ensure that each chip is evenly coated with toppings. Start with a layer of chips, then add a layer of meat, cheese, and other toppings. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
• Use oven-safe serving dish: Use an oven-safe dish to assemble and bake the nachos. This will make it easy to transfer them from the oven to the table.
• Serve immediately: Nachos are best enjoyed fresh and hot, so serve them immediately after baking. Don't let them sit out at room temperature for too long or they will become soggy.

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Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.