Nacho Bar
This Nacho Bar is the perfect appetizer or main course recipe to feed a crowd for any occasion. Guests can customize their nachos with all different toppings. It’s an impressive entertaining recipe that takes minimal effort.
Every summer around Cinco de Mayo, my family requests this Nacho Bar for a party with friends and family. It’s so simple to build and fun to create plus really ‘wows’ your guests when they walk in the door. The best part is everyone can serve themselves with flavors that they love.
When it comes to grocery shopping for a nachos party, I turn to many store-bought items to keep the prep time quick and simple. My kids even like to help me set up the bar! Have fun with all the toppings and don’t forget the margaritas!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy for entertaining. Feed a crowd at any party with this nachos bar. It’s perfect for guests to customize their chips with their favorite flavors.
- Quick to assemble. With many store-bought shortcuts, this nacho toppings bar looks intimidating but I promise it’s so simple!
- Great for all ages. From kids to adults, everyone always loves this idea at a gathering.
Ingredients
You can obviously customize with any of your favorite nacho toppings. Here is what I usually pick up from the store.
- Toppings: Shredded Cheese, Lettuce, Salsa, Guacamole, Queso
- Taco Meat: Cooked Ground turkey, beef, or chicken
- Taco Shells: Hard of soft tacos or tortillas
- Chips: Favorite tortilla chips
- Cocktails: Tequila, margarita mix, limes, salt
How to Make a Nacho Bar
1. Cook taco meat on the stovetop. Add seasonings as desired.
Leanna’s Tip: Never drain hot grease down the drain, as it can damage pipes. Rather, drain into a plastic container with a lid and throw out. I like to use a rinsed cream cheese container.
2. If using Kraft paper, unroll and label directions for the Nacho Bar.
3. Arrange all the ingredients on a serving platter or board as desired.
Expert Tips
- Prep all of the toppings and ingredients in advance. This makes hosting a nacho party a breeze. I keep the bowls in the fridge covered with plastic wrap so all I have to do it set them out when it’s time to eat.
- Cook the meat closer to the party. You can make it in advance and reheat, but I find the flavor is so much better when it’s cooked fresh.
- Make sure you set up the nacho bar in a place that can get a little messy. Nachos are not the cleanest appetizer which makes them fun!
- If you don’t have a wooden stand like mine, just just pour all the chips down the center of the table and place the bowls all around the outside. It still looks so festive!
Ways to Serve a Nacho Bar
Serving Stand: I used this wooden serving stand, which also has an adorable swing! For Cinco de Mayo parties, you can also wrap it in these festive lights!
Festive Paper Trays: I used these colorful snack trays, which are perfect for a Nacho Bar!
Mini Piñatas: How cute are these mini piñata for extra decoration?
Dutch Oven: You can keep your taco meat warm in a small cast-iron skillet like this one from Walmart, for a great place!
Kitchen Links: I get asked all the time about the products in the background of my kitchen. Much of it is from MacKenzie-Childs, which I have slowly grown a collection of over the years! My favorites are this checkered chopping board, my black and white checkered teapot, and the gray and white checkered utensil holder. I also have this enamel canister that you can find in small, medium, or large.
Storage
If you have any leftover chips from your Nacho Bar, you can store them right back in their original packaging or a zip top bag. Store any taco meat in an airtight container and refrigerate, where it should stay fresh for 2 to 3 days. Be sure to keep any shredded cheese, toppings, or other perishables back in the refrigerator.
You can easily prep for this nacho party in advance. Set up the Kraft paper, wooden stand, festive lights, and mini pinata whenever you’d like. I prefer to cook any taco meat closer to serving time so it stays warm. Keep any shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, salsa, or any other toppings refrigerated until you are ready to serve so they stay fresh.
FAQs
We love to add queso, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce, jalapenos, cilantro, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, ground beef, and chips of course!
Serve it with margaritas of course! We even have a recipe for a margarita board. For dessert, cinnamon ice cream or even store-bought churros are always delicious.
You can make a queso quickly from scratch, or you can buy some at the store to heat on the stove.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Nacho Bar
Equipment
- Kraft paper
- permanent marker
- bowls
- wooden stand see my link in the post above
Ingredients
- Toppings: Shredded Cheese Lettuce, Salsa, Guacamole
- Taco Meat: Cooked Ground turkey beef, or chicken
- Taco Shells: Hard of soft tacos or tortillas
- Chips: Favorite tortilla chips
- Cocktails: Tequila margarita mix, limes, salt
Instructions
- If using Kraft paper, unroll and label directions for the Nacho Bar.
- Arrange all the ingredients on a serving platter or board as desired.
Notes
- Prep all of the toppings and ingredients in advance. This makes hosting a nacho party a breeze. I keep the bowls in the fridge covered with plastic wrap so all I have to do it set them out when it’s time to eat.
- Cook the meat closer to the party. You can make it in advance and reheat, but I find the flavor is so much better when it’s cooked fresh.
- Make sure you set up the nacho bar in a place that can get a little messy. Nachos are not the cleanest appetizer which makes them fun!
- If you don’t have a wooden stand like mine, just just pour all the chips down the center of the table and place the bowls all around the outside. It still looks so festive!
