Carne Asada Nachos

Name: Carne Asada Nachos
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 pound carne asada ((or thinly sliced steak)); 2 tablespoons carne asada seasoning ((see notes below)); 10 ounces Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips; 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup cider vinegar; 1/4 cup beef broth; 1/2 cup orange juice; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1/4 cup chopped onion; 4 ounces diced chiles; 1/2 bunch chopped cilantro; 1/2 teaspoon ground Mexican oregano; salt and black pepper ((to taste)); pico de gallo; guacamole; cilantro; sour cream; limes ((for garnish)); sliced jalapeno ((for garnish))

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These restaurant-quality carne asada nachos a nacho lovers dream. Topped with seasoned carne asada, tons of cheese, and your favorite toppings, they’re not-cho average nacho!

A cheesy nacho topped with savory carne asada, cilantro, and tomatoes being pulled from a skillet of nachos showing the delicious cheese pulling up from the rest of the stack.

Table of Contents

Best. Nachos. Ever.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Carne Asada Nachos
What is Carne Asada?
For the Carne Asada
How to Make and Layer Carne Asada Nachos
Tips for the Best Carne Asada Nachos
Alternative Cooking Methods
More Topping Ideas and Variations
My Favorite Recipe Pairings
Storing and Reheating
Frequently Asked Questions about Carne Asada Nachos
More Easy Nachos Recipes
Carne Asada Nachos Recipe
More Easy Mexican Recipes

Best. Nachos. Ever.

I’m a nacho fanatic, but these loaded carne asada nachos? They’re on a whole different level. We’re talking bold, authentic flavors that are perfect for parties, game days, or just a fun family dinner. I love how easy they are to customize with my favorite toppings. And let me tell you, the seasoned carne asada? It takes these nachos from “good” to “crave-able.”

Ingredients You’ll Need for Carne Asada Nachos

Carne Asada – The most common cut of steak for cane asada is skirt steak but any thin-cut steak will work. For this recipe I used a thinly sliced bottom round sirloin that was sliced super thin.

Marinade and Seasonings – You can do a simple marinade like in the recipe below with fresh citrus, olive oil, and cider vinegar or you can kick it up with our more in-depth marinade that can be found with our grilled carne asada recipe. As far as seasonings go, our carne asada seasoning really can’t be beat.

Chips – I like the On the Border Chips or the Juantonio’s Chips but any restaurant style chip works.

Cheese – The best cheeses for nachos are Monterey Jack, cheddar, and pepper jack. These cheeses melt really well and give great flavor. Try a combination! And try shredding them yourself, they melt better!

Toppings -The best toppings for nachos (in my humble opinion) are jalapeños (raw or pickled), chopped onion, tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. For these nachos especially, I like to add a few lime wedges to bring out the citrus flavor in the meat.

Ingredients to make Carne Asada Nachos including tortilla chips, Carne Asada, pico de gallo, cilantro, jalapeño, lime wedges, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and guacamole.

What is Carne Asada?

Carne asada literally means “grilled meat,” and it’s a staple in Mexican cuisine. Typically, we’re talking thinly sliced, marinated skirt steak. Now, I know skirt steak can get a bad rap for being tough, but when you marinate it right and cook it properly, it’s incredibly tender and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect foundation for these nachos.

Grilled Carne Asada sliced on a cutting board.

For the Carne Asada

The carne asada is the star of the show, and it all comes down to the seasoning. Our carne asada seasoning mix is a must-try and it’s so good on everything, not just carne asada! And for marinade and carne asada cooking tips, check out our Grilled Carne Asada recipe. Honestly, I can’t decide if I prefer the marinade or the dry rub – they’re both so good.Most of the time I end up using both! Marinate, then sprinkle with the seasoning. It’s a game-changer.

How to Make and Layer Carne Asada Nachos

Marinate and Cook Meat – For best results, you will want to marinate the meat for at least an hour but no more than 4 hours. Cut carne asada into bite sized pieces and toss in seasonings, and sauté on high heat for about 2 minutes (it goes quick, the meat is very thin).
Layer Chips – Place a single layer of chips on a baking sheet.
Cover Chips – Evenly cover chips with a layer of carne asada and then generously cover with cheese.
Bake – Bake for 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Toppings – Remove from oven, add toppings, and enjoy.

Carne Asada nachos with toppings including seasoned, diced carne asada, sliced jalapeños, pico de gallo, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Tips for the Best Carne Asada Nachos

Best cuts of beef for carne asada – Skirt steak’s the classic for carne asada. We have also tried thin-cut sirloin with great results. Flank steak works too (just can be a bit tougher) or also thin-cut chuck. Go with what you have, and remember, a killer marinade can save the day, no matter the cut.
Grill or Stovetop – You can either grill the carne asada on the grill and then chop it up, or you can do it taco truck style and chop it up first and then throw it in a skillet or cook it on a flat-top griddle. No matter how you decide to cook it up, you are going to have some delicious carne asada.
How to prevent soggy nachos – an important piece of keeping your nachos from getting soggy is using sturdy enough chips. It is also essential to use the cheese as a layer between toppings and the chips, this will keep the chips more dry.

Carne Asada nachos with toppings including sliced jalapeños, pico de gallo, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Stove Top – make nachos on the stove top by using a skillet. Quickly cook up your carne asada, and then layer your chips in a cast iron skillet, shred cheese over the chips, and add your meat. Cover the skillet and heat on medium-low heat until the cheese melts and enjoy.
Air Fryer – Make these nachos in your air fryer. Preheat air fryer to 400, place your cut up steak in the air fryer for 3 minutes, flip, and cook for 3 more minutes. To cook your nachos, preheat the air fryer to 375, layer your chips, cheese, and meat. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

More Topping Ideas and Variations

Make it Spicy – Add jalapeños, serranos, and/or spicy salsa
Street Corn Style – Add grilled corn, cotija cheese, and sprinkle a little tajin and cilantro over the top.
Beans – Add drained and rinsed black beans, seasoned pinto beans, or refried beans.

Hand holding up a Carne Asada nacho with melted cheese pieces of Carne Asada, cilantro and jalapeño showing all the delicious textures of all the savory ingredients.

My Favorite Recipe Pairings

I love serving these Carne Asada Nachos with a whole spread of my favorite Mexican sides. Seriously, you have to try them with our guacamole – it’s the perfect dip. And the pico de gallo adds such a bright, fresh flavor. Don’t forget the refried beans, Mexican rice, and our popular Elote in a cup. It’s my go-to for a fun, flavorful meal!

Storing and Reheating

Nachos typically don’t heat up well after all the toppings are added. They are meant to be eaten right away. If you aren’t sure how much you need, make smaller batches as you need them or serve the toppings on the side. Store toppings separately. If you do have leftovers, my favorite way to reheat them is in the air fryer. Preheat air fryer to 375 and add your chips, cheese, and meat. Cook for 10 minutes. Add your toppings and enjoy! You can also reheat them by baking in the oven. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the chips soggy.

Carne Asada nachos with toppings including savory, seasoned carne asada bites, sliced jalapeños, pico de gallo, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Frequently Asked Questions about Carne Asada Nachos

Can I make carne asada ahead of time?

Yes! You can make it ahead of time and reheat quickly in a non-stick skillet. It will heat through quickly. I usually never microwave any kind of steak because it heats too fast and it will get tough.

What is the best cheese for nachos?

The best cheese for nachos are Monterey Jack, cheddar, and pepper jack. These cheeses are melty and have great flavor. Try a combination! Don’t forget to shred them yourself, they will melt much better.

Can I make these in an Air Fryer?

Yes! Air frying is great for smaller batches. To make air fryer carne asada nachos, assemble your nachos on an air fryer-safe tray or foil, then air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer to allow for even cooking.