23 Irresistible Side Dishes to Serve with Nachos at Your Next Party

Who doesn’t love nachos? I mean, Nothing sets the mood for a party quite like a plate of nachos! Just serve with some delicious ideal sides with Nachos and bang- an amazing successful Party.

Nachos are one of the most popular party snacks, and for a good reason—they are easy to make, customizable, and always a crowd favorite and made into a meal by adding some delicious side dishes.

But hold on! What should you serve alongside your nachos at a party?– That’s the big question here. Right?

If you’re planning on having nachos at your next party, follow this guide for the best way to serve This Mexican-inspired snack and 10 incredible side dishes that will perfectly complement your nacho platter. 

A Quick Answer- What to eat with Nachos at a party

Guacamole, Salsa, Grilled Chicken, Refried Beans, Cheese Sauce, Queso Dip, Pico de Gallo, Pickled Jalapeños, Mexican Rice, Corn Salad, Black Beans, Hot Sauce, Spanish Rice, Shredded Cheese, Sliced Olives, Jalapeno Poppers, Chili Con Carne, Mexican Street Corn, Queso Fundido, Cilantro Lime Rice, Chili.

The Ultimate Guide to Serving Nachos at Your Next Party 

Choosing Your Ingredients 

The first step in making the perfect nacho platter is to choose the right ingredients. 

Start with chips—you can use store-bought chips or make your own from scratch. 

Then, decide what toppings to put on your nachos. Popular choices include cheese, salsa, jalapeños, and black beans. 

You can also add meat such as beef, chicken, or pork. For vegetarians, try adding sautéed vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers. 

Flavors always matter, so Creating a Variety of Flavors is so much important to lighten up a party.

Try creating several different flavors of nachos so that everyone can find something they like. 

For example, offer one plate with just cheese and jalapeños and another with a mix of cheese, salsa, and black beans. 

Or create some spicy nachos by adding extra jalapeños and hot sauce on top! 

nachos
A Decorated plate of Nachos

Serving Tips 

Once you’ve chosen your ingredients and put together your flavor combinations, it’s time to start assembling the nacho platters! 

To keep things organized (and avoid messes!), lay out all the ingredients separately on the table before assembling them onto plates. 

That way, each guest can easily customize their own plate according to their tastes. 

When you’re ready to serve them up, bake them in the oven for about 10 minutes until everything is melted together and bubbly—yum! 

Eventually, don’t forget to have plenty of napkins handy for those who are up for tackling this delicious dish without utensils! 

Bonus tips: The amount is also an important factor in a successful celebration. You don’t want your nachos to run out in the middle of the party, after all. Right?

Whether it is eaten as a snack or as a major course. A portion of nachos for one person can range from 4-6 ounces (113-170 grams) as a snack or appetizer to 8-10 ounces (227-283 grams) as the main meal.

23 Delicious Side Dishes to Serve With Nachos at Your Next Party

1. Guacamole

No nacho platter is complete without freshly made guacamole! Glucamole is An absolute classic when it comes to eating nachos, the perfect addition to any plate of chips. 

No nacho platter is complete without freshly made guacamole!
Guacamole

It adds creaminess and tang to the dish while providing health benefits like healthy fats and vitamins A and C. 

Plus, it’s super simple to make; you can either buy pre-made guacamole or make it yourself – mash together ripe avocados, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, lime juice, and pepper and cilantro until creamy.

Salsa
Salsa

2. Salsa

Another obvious and great topping for nachos is salsa. 

A flavorful green salsa made from tomatillos and jalapenos that gives a great kick of flavor to your nacho dish.

In addition to the traditional tomato-based salsa, try experimenting with mango or pineapple salsas for a sweet twist on this classic snack pairing

Choose between mild or spicy salsas depending on your guests’ preferences, or offer both options so everyone can find something they enjoy! 

Make sure you have plenty of chips to dip into the salsa too!

Know More: What to Serve With Potato Wedges

3. Grilled Chicken

For a more substantial dish that’s still light enough not to overpower your nacho platter, grilled chicken is an excellent option. 

Grilled chicken is an excellent option with nachos
Grilled Chicken

Simply season chicken breasts with salt and pepper before grilling them in olive oil until cooked through. 

Serve warm slices over your platter of chips for a tasty meal that won’t leave you feeling weighed down. 

4. Refried Beans

A hearty side can be spiced up with jalapenos or bell peppers to give nachos an extra kick of flavor- Refried beans.

Refried beans provide a great dose of protein and fiber as well as flavor and texture in every bite without overpowering the flavor of the nachos themselves.

Refried beans can be best friends for your vegan buddies. You can even whip up a vegan version using vegetable oil instead of lard if desired!

Try making refried beans from scratch by simmering canned pinto beans with onions and garlic before mashing them up into a paste-like consistency and adding seasonings like cumin and chili powder for extra flavor. 

These creamy beans can be cooked with garlic or chiles for added flavor. 

5. Cheese Sauce

Who doesn’t love drizzling cheesy goodness over their chips? Make sure to have this on hand when serving up your nacho platter!

Cheese Sauce is an excellent option with nachos
Cheese Sauce

The cheese sauce is a great alternative that tastes delicious and drizzled over hot nachos! 

To make an easy cheese sauce at home, just melt butter in a pan before stirring in flour, milk, and your favorite cheese until melted and combined into a thick sauce that can be poured over chips or used as a dip for vegetables or breadsticks on the side of your plate of chips! 

You can use vegan cheese instead of typical cheese, so you get another vegan variation for your party.

Also Read: What to serve with Chili Cheese Fries

fresh Green Salad
fresh Green Salad

6. Fresh Salad- looks very appetizing 

Balance out all the savory flavors on your plate by adding some crunchy greens in the form of fresh salad leaves, such as romaine lettuce or baby spinach, tossed with the dressing of choice (balsamic vinaigrette works especially well!).

Or try my simple yet flavorful green salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and a light vinaigrette dressing will provide much-needed freshness while still complementing the flavors of the nacho toppings nicely! 

Or, if you prefer something heartier, try tossing together black beans with corn kernels and diced bell peppers, then top off with crumbled feta cheese or queso fresco for extra flavor! 

7. Sour Cream Dip and Chives

Even though sour cream isn’t necessarily considered “healthy,” it’s still worth mentioning because its cool tanginess pairs so well with all kinds of Mexican cuisine – including nachos! 

Even though sour cream isn't necessarily considered "healthy," it's still worth mentioning because its cool tanginess pairs so well with all kinds of Mexican cuisine - including nachos! 
Sour Cream Dip and Chives

Plus, it’s super simple – just scoop out some plain Greek yogurt into individual bowls on the side (or even better – get creative by adding diced chiles or herbs like cilantro), so everyone can customize their own servings according to their own tastes! 

– Sour cream dip gives an interesting twist on traditional dips by combining sour cream with herbs such as parsley & dill along with garlic powder & lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar), giving it a unique tangy flavor that counters all that richness from melted cheese & refried beans making it a great accompaniment for any kind of chip including those loaded up with toppings like jalapenos & olives! 

8. Queso Blanco Dip

I must say, try this gooey melty cheese dip that is sure to be a hit at any gathering where there are hungry guests around (and let’s face it – who isn’t hungry when they’re surrounded by delicious snacks!). 

-And this is something different than traditional melted cheese.

This mild white cheese dip is incredibly smooth & creamy with just a hint of garlic & chili powder which adds subtle heat without overpowering other flavors on the plate, making it perfect for those who don’t like things too hot or spicy but yet still crave cheesy goodness in their meals! 

Just combine shredded Monterey Jack cheese with canned jalapeños (or diced fresh jalapeños if you’re feeling brave!) along with evaporated milk in a pot, then heat until melted before serving warm alongside tortilla chips! 

9. Pico de Gallo

Pico de gallo may sound intimidating, but it’s actually one of the easiest sides out there. Hence, I highly assure you must-have accompaniment for your nachos. 

just mix together diced tomatoes (or omit if desired), red onion, jalapeno peppers (optional), lime juice & cilantro, then season with salt & pepper for an instant burst of flavor in every bite! 

– no cooking is required, so it’s super quick & easy too! 

Serve this zesty accompaniment alongside nacho platters as an alternative way to add freshness & zest without having to prepare any cooked sauces or dips beforehand! 

jalapeno pickle
Jalapeno pickle

10. Pickled Jalapeños 

If spice isn’t usually your thing, but you still want some heat on your plate, then pickled jalapeños could be just what you need! 

These crispy pickles are traditionally served alongside Mexican dishes like tacos & burritos. Still, they also work really well when paired up with crunchy tortilla chips smothered in melted cheeses & other savory toppings too. 

– just slice them up finely & sprinkle them over the top at the end for an added kick that won’t overwhelm taste buds completely (unless desired)! 

11. Mexican Rice

Mexican rice is another great addition to your plate of nachos as it adds plenty of flavor to the mix while being filling enough to be served as its own dish too! 

Simply sauté diced onions in olive oil before adding long-grain white rice and stirring in chicken stock until the liquid has been absorbed by the grains before finishing off with chopped tomatoes and seasonings like cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and cilantro for an irresistible taste explosion! 

12. Corn Salad

Corn salad makes for a light yet flavorful side dish that will add color and crunch to your meal. 

All you need is some fresh corn kernels (or canned if you prefer) along with diced bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro, then top with a simple dressing made from olive oil, lime juice, and salt & pepper for extra zing! 

13. Black Beans

If you want something hearty but still relatively healthy on the side of your nachos, then black beans are definitely the way to go! 

Not only do they provide plenty of fiber, but they also offer a nice contrast in texture against all those crunchy chips on top! 

Just remember to drain & rinse before serving, so they don’t get too salty or mushy! 

14. Spanish Rice

Try Spanish rice! This traditional Spanish dish is made from long-grain rice cooked in tomato sauce and spices like cumin and oregano for an authentic flavor profile. 

15. Shredded Cheese

Nachos wouldn’t be the same without melted cheese on top! Use shredded cheese such as cheddar or Monterey Jack for maximum coverage over the chips and toppings of your choice. 

16. Sliced Olives

Olives add a salty brininess that pairs perfectly with all the other flavors on your plate of nachos! 

Slice black olives into thin rounds, or just use them straight out of the jar if you prefer a chunkier texture in your bites of melted cheese goodness! 

jalapeno poppers
Jalapeno Poppers

17. Jalapeno Poppers

Spicy jalapeno poppers take things up another notch when it comes to serving delicious sides alongside your nacho platter! 

Fill poppers with cream cheese before baking them until golden brown for an irresistible snack everyone will love munching on between bites of cheesy chips! 

18. Chili Con Carne

For those who love their meaty sides served alongside their snacks, chili con carne is always sure to please! 

This hearty chili features ground beef simmered in spicy tomato sauce for an unforgettable flavor experience that goes great with hot melted cheese over crispy chips! 

19. Mexican Street Corn

Grilled corn, cotija cheese, lime juice, and spices make up this classic and flavorful side dish.

20. Queso Fundido

Delicious cheese with peppers, chorizo, and other spices all melted together to give you a delicious topping for your nachos.

21. Cilantro Lime Rice

Richly flavored and easy to make, this side dish adds a great mix of flavors and textures to your nacho platter.

22. Chili

A classic go-to that goes perfectly with any chip or nacho dish! Add in beef and beans for an extra hearty version.

Hot Sauce
Hot Sauce

23. Hot Sauce

Last but certainly not least, when it comes to sides that go well with nachos, the hot sauce should always be included because no matter how much flavor everything else brings, sometimes only a fiery kick will do! 

Whether it’s store-bought tabasco or homemade chili-based salsa verde hot sauce adds, excitement levels up a few notches instantly, so make sure there’s ample supply ready when serving these cheesy treats next time round! 

The options are endless when it comes to making delicious sides to accompany your nachos at a party. 

With these 23 incredible sides, you can create the ultimate party spread that everyone will love! Bon appetite!

How do you jazz up nachos?

One way to jazz up nachos is to top them with flavorful ingredients such as diced tomatoes, chopped jalapeños, black beans, and corn. 

Adding a variety of cheeses can also add flavor and texture. Grilled chicken or steak can provide extra protein and make the dish more filling. 

Topping off your nachos with fresh items like olives, cilantro, or guacamole will bring out the flavors even more. 

Lastly, don’t forget about adding sauces for some added zest! A dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of your favorite salsa will make any plate of nachos irresistible. 

With these simple additions, you can transform boring nacho chips into an exciting meal that everyone will enjoy.

What are the best flavors to go with Nachos?

When it comes to nachos, the flavor possibilities are endless. From traditional Tex-Mex flavors like cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, and salsa to more creative options such as barbecue chicken or buffalo ranch—the combinations are nearly limitless. 

What is the best way to eat nachos?

The best way to eat nachos is largely a matter of personal preference, but here are some general tips for enjoying this delicious snack:

1.   Use sturdy tortilla chips: 

Choose tortilla chips that are strong enough to withstand the weight of the toppings and will not become soggy quickly.

2.   Layer toppings evenly: 

Toppings should be distributed evenly over the tortilla chips to ensure that each bite has a variety of flavors.

3.   Melt the cheese: 

Before adding the other toppings, melt the shredded cheese in the oven or microwave to ensure that it is evenly distributed.

4.   Toppings should be added in the correct order: 

first, add ingredients that require heat, such as meat or beans, before adding fresh toppings, such as tomatoes or avocado.

5. Customize to your taste:

nachos are versatile, so feel free to experiment with different toppings, such as jalapenos, black olives, onions, or sour cream.

6. Serve immediately:

nachos are best served hot and fresh, so try not to wait. Have them as soon as possible after they come out of the oven or are assembled.

FAQs

Is nachos a main meal?

Nachos can serve as a main course, but they can also be considered a snack or appetizer, depending on the serving size and context.

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