Delicious cheddar cheesy BBQ pulled pork nachos are an easy crowd pleaser and perfect for game day. Load them up with fresh favorites like with pickled red onions, green onions and cilantro. Or, make it more of a meal with black beans, corn and tomatoes!
If somehow I get forced to watch football this weekend (not my thing AT ALL), there better be some good party food on hand.
Because as far as I’m concerned that’s the only good thing to come out of the Superbowl festivities.
I’ll happily feast on some chicken wings (or better yet turkey legs), Buffalo Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Bites, BBQ Black Bean Tortilla Pizza or even some healthier Roasted BBQ Chickpeas while pretending like I care what’s going down on the TV.
Truthfully, I don’t even know what teams are IN the Superbowl this year.
So whether you’re like me and just there for the food or actually into the game but also into the food (because no one isn’t into the party food during the Superbowl), I’ve got the best BBQ pulled pork nacho recipe for you to dive into this weekend.
Pulled pork nachos are nothing groundbreaking but a couple tweaks like BBQ sauce and some pickled red onions (or pickled garlic scapes if you prefer!) make these nachos unbeatable and addicting.
I also love the fresh pop of cilantro, a must have for me on nachos. Especially on carne asada nachos with their Mexican flair.
I wouldn’t call them loaded pulled pork nachos by any means, the toppings are pretty basic and kept to the minimum for simple nacho deliciousness but the flavor is right on point.
HOW TO MAKE BBQ PULLED PORK IN THE SLOW COOKER
This recipe calls for using leftover BBQ pulled pork in the nachos. I think it’s fair to say we all know how to make BBQ pulled pork or at least even buy it pre-made in the store these days.
If not though, you can follow this simple slow cooker recipe for BBQ pulled pork or take a look at our BBQ pulled pork slider recipe.
It will give you quite a bit of bbq pulled pork to use in things like sandwiches (you could make these Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches or these Pickled Pineapple BBQ Pork Sandwiches), other meals and of course these nachos!
INGREDIENTS FOR BBQ PULLED PORK:
- 3-4 pound boneless pork shoulder
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 gloves garlic, sliced
- salt and pepper
- 12 ounces BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup apple juice (or water)
DIRECTIONS:
- Place the pork, onions and garlic in a slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix the BBQ sauce and apple juice (or water) together then pour over pork.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Remove pork from the slow cooker, shred with two forks (removing any fat or gristle) then return to the slow cooker and toss to coat in the BBQ sauce mixture.
HOW TO MAKE EASY BBQ PULLED PORK NACHOS
Once you have the BBQ pulled pork ready assembling the nachos is a breeze!
You’ll need a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper and the following:
- corn tortilla chips
- leftover bbq pulled pork
- grated cheddar cheese
- pickled red onions (quick recipe below)
- more BBQ sauce
- green onions
- cilantro
Scatter half the tortilla chips on the baking sheet and then half the pork, cheddar cheese, pickled red onions and BBQ sauce. Repeat with another layer on top then bake at 400°F for about 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Garnish the pulled pork nachos with chopped green onions and fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
Looking for a lighter, spring inspired take on nachos? Try these Lamb Nachos.
HOW TO MAKE QUICK PICKLED RED ONIONS
This is one of my favorite ingredients in the pulled pork nachos so don’t feel tempted to skip it and just use regular red onions. Their pickled flavor goes so well with the sweetness from the BBQ sauce.
Making your own pickled red onions is quick and easy with just a couple ingredients I’m sure you have on hand:
- thinly sliced red onions
- 1/2 cup vinegar (apple cider or white vinegar)
- scant tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
Place the red onions in a jar or a bowl. Mix the remaining ingredients together until the sugar and salt dissolve. Pour over the onions and let sit for an hour.
Just make sure the onions are submerged in the mixture and they’ll get nice and tangy in no time.
I’ve used the pickled onions as soon as 30 minutes into pickling and they still have plenty of tangy flavor so if you’re pressed for time, the hour wait isn’t a hard and fast rule.
These will keep in the refrigerator for a couple weeks to use on salads or other meals too so it’s worth it to make a batch if you’re going to make them for the pulled pork nachos.
Alternatively, if you have a batch of homemade red cabbage sauerkraut on hand, that’s a perfect stand in for the pickled red onions!
OTHER TOPPING IDEAS:
I really like the simplicity of these bbq pulled pork nachos but if you want to load them up and make it more of a meal, that’s a great idea too!
Here are some other toppings I would use:
- frozen thawed corn (or fresh kernels)
- black beans
- chopped tomatoes
- sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative)
- avocado/guacamole
The first three should be added prior to baking while the last two would be added after they’re pulled from the oven along with the green onions and cilantro as a garnish.
OTHER CHEESE OPTIONS
Cheddar is always a crowd pleaser but if you want some spice to the nachos, I’d try pepper jack or a combination of cheddar and pepper jack.
Cabot is my go to when I need grated cheese for things like nachos and they make a Supremely Spicy cheddar as well that’s great if you love spice.
Monterrey Jack or Colby Jack are other good cheese options for nachos.
Superbowl or not, this is a great people pleaser kind of appetizer or meal.
With the pulled pork on it, you can even call it dinner and just eat the nachos straight off the baking sheet (we’ve done it, don’t judge).
If you’re looking for more BBQ recipes for game day fun, I’d suggest Hawaiian Pulled Pork BBQ Enchilada Stacks, Smashed White Bean and Kale Quesadillas with Creamy BBQ Dip and Grilled BBQ Short Ribs – those are all crowd pleasers!
More recipes like these bbq pulled pork nachos:
Buffalo Chicken Triscuit Nachos
Charred Poblano and Bacon Guacamole
Buffalo Hummus Chicken Waffle Bites
Healthy Sloppy Joes
Pineapple Mango Habanero Chicken Wings
BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos
Ingredients
- 8 ounces corn tortilla chips
- 1 1/2 cups leftover BBQ pulled pork, see post above for easy slow cooker pulled pork recipe
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup pickled red onions
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Other optional toppings:
- fresh or frozen, thawed corn
- black beans, drained and rinsed
- chopped tomatoes
- sour cream
- avocado slices, or guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Place half the tortilla chips onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Scatter half the pork, cheddar cheese, pickled red onions, BBQ sauce, green onions and any other toppings you’re using on top.
- Repeat with remaining chips and toppings.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven, add chopped cilantro and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Surprised my family with this recipe for dinner last night. I have never made nachos before, and they were so pleased! This recipe is easy and delicious! Will definitely make this a lot more!
Wow these nachos were absolutely yummy! We served it for dinner alongside a salad. Filling, fresh and complete. I can’t wait to have them again as a movie-night snack. So versatile!
I think I just found my new favorite nachos!!
I’m with you and not a huge fan of ‘Game Day’ but I am a huge fan of ‘Game Day’ food like this dish! I love how easy, flavorful and easy clean up this is – that’s always a win in my book!