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    Home » Camping Recipes

    Campfire Nachos

    Published: Sep 25, 2020 · Modified: Mar 9, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    These easy vegetarian campfire nachos are made with tortilla chips, cheese, beans, and a quick garlic sauce, and then cooked in a pan over a fire. Perfect for camping and cookouts!

    Top with Hot Sauce, Salsa + Garlic Sauce

    Who else loves cooking over a campfire?

    I love the subtle smoky flavor in the food, plus eating outdoors is pretty fabulous.

    This summer, we built a campfire ring in our backyard, and I’ve been cooking outside as often as possible!

    My favorite campfire meals include campfire chili, campfire pizza, campfire lasagna, campfire red lentil stew and (of course) these campfire nachos.

    I love these nachos because they’re an easy, quick meal that’s perfect for camping or backyard cookouts.

    Looking for more camping recipes? Try these camp stove burritos, canned green bean salad, camp stove fish curry, and camp stove chickpea curry.

    What Equipment Do I Need?

    You need access to a campfire ring.

    If your campfire ring does not include a grate, you’ll need to use a portable campfire grate.

    You’ll also need a large campfire-safe pan, such as a cast-iron pan or a carbon steel pan. I use this Lodge 12″ carbon steel skillet, and prefer it over cast iron because it’s lighter.

    It’s helpful to have a table nearby (like a picnic table) to help prepare the ingredients.

    You’ll also need aluminum foil, a cutting board, a knife, and an oven mitt.

    What Tortilla Chips are Best for Campfire Nachos?

    I recommend buying sturdy tortilla chips, not thin delicate ones, because the thin ones will break under the weight of the toppings. In my experience, organic chips marked yellow corn or blue corn tend to be the sturdiest.

    We like Trader Joe’s organic tortilla chips (pictured) and I also stock up on organic tortilla chips from Thrive Market.

    Can I Use Pre-Shredded Cheese?

    You can, but if at all possible, don’t.

    I recommend buying a block of cheese and shredding it right before you make the nachos.

    Why?

    Freshly shredded cheese melts faster than pre-shredded cheese. Really, almost twice as fast!

    That said, I have successfully made campfire nachos with store-bought pre-shredded cheese. It took longer but worked.

    How to Make Vegetarian Nachos Hearty

    Instead of ground beef, this nachos recipe calls for canned beans.

    I think it’s a delightful swap.

    The beans add some heft to the meal, meaning you won’t be left hungry after dinner.

    How to Make Campfire Nachos

    Start by making a campfire, or have someone else do it while you prepare the food! You’ll want to cook over smoldering embers, not large flames.

    While the fire is heating up, start making the nachos.

    Layer the pan with chips, and then spread the cheese across your chips.

    Add Chips + Cheese to a Pan
    Add Chips + Cheese to a Pan

    Next, start adding more ingredients.

    I used beans, black olives, diced tomatoes, avocado, pickled jalapeños, and diced green onion.

    Add Beans + Olives
    Add Beans + Olives
    Add Remaining Toppings
    Add Remaining Toppings

    Next, cover the pan with foil. Avoid using an actual lid, because it will create steam and make your chips soggy.

    Set the pan on the campfire grate.

    Cook Covered Until Cheese Melts
    Cook Covered Until Cheese Melts

    Cook the nachos for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

    While the nachos cook, whisk together the garlic sauce. You’ll use garlic, plain yogurt, salt, and a little lemon juice.

    If you want to skip the garlic sauce, use sour cream instead.

    When the cheese is melted, drizzle the garlic sauce on top, along with a little hot sauce and salsa.

    Top with Hot Sauce, Salsa + Garlic Sauce
    Top with Hot Sauce, Salsa + Garlic Sauce

    Remove the nachos from the fire. If you don’t have a trivet or hot pad, you can set the pan on a wooden picnic table or the edge of a stone campfire ring.

    Scoop the nachos onto plates, and dig in!

    campfire nachos on a plate
    Campfire Nachos in a pan
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Campfire Nachos

    These easy vegetarian campfire nachos are made with tortilla chips, cheese, beans, and a quick garlic sauce, and then cooked in a pan over a fire. Perfect for camping and cookouts!
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 679kcal
    Freezer Friendly?

    No

    Will It Keep?

    No

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • campfire grate
    • charcoal briquettes (or firewood)
    • cast iron pan (or carbon steel pan)
    • cutting board
    • knife (for dicing veggies)
    • spatula
    • plates

    Ingredients

    Nachos:

    • 8 ounces tortilla chips (Half of a 16oz bag)
    • 6 ounces pepperjack or Monterey Jack cheese, freshly grated Use more if desired
    • 14 ounces can black or pinto beans, drained
    • 2 ounces sliced black olives (Half of a 4oz can)
    • 1 tomato, diced (optional) Skip if out of season
    • 1 avocado, diced
    • ⅛ cup pickled jalapeños
    • 2 green onions, finely diced (green tops only)

    Garlic Sauce (Optional):

    • 1 cup plain yogurt
    • 2 garlic cloves, diced
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ lemon, juiced

    Extra Toppings (Optional):

    • hot sauce
    • salsa
    • cilantro

    Instructions

    • Prepare campfire:
      Heat coals until they are very hot, or let a campfire burn down until the wood is smoldering but without active flames. If using a portable campfire grate, add it to the campfire ring.
      Prepare nachos:
      Add chips to a cast-iron or carbon steel pan. Top with the cheese.
      Add Chips + Cheese to a Pan
    • Add the remaining nacho toppings. (Don't add the yogurt sauce, hot sauce, or salsa yet.)
      Add Remaining Toppings
    • Cover the nachos with foil and place onto the campfire grate.
      Cook nachos for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
      If you're using pre-grated cheese, it will take longer to melt (about 15 minutes).
      Cook Covered Until Cheese Melts
    • Uncover the nachos. Add the garlic sauce and any additional toppings, and serve immediately.
      Campfire Nachos in a pan

    Notes

    Serves 4 (small portions) or 2 (larger portions).
    This recipe can easily be adapted to include your favorite nacho toppings (or exclude ones you don’t like).  The only essential ingredients are the chips and cheese.  If adding meat, make sure to cook the meat before adding it to the nachos.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 679kcal (34%) | Carbohydrates: 65g (22%) | Protein: 25g (50%) | Fat: 38g (58%) | Saturated Fat: 12g (75%) | Cholesterol: 46mg (15%) | Sodium: 1465mg (64%) | Potassium: 909mg (26%) | Fiber: 15g (63%) | Sugar: 5g (6%) | Vitamin A: 905IU (18%) | Vitamin C: 21mg (25%) | Calcium: 552mg (55%) | Iron: 4mg (22%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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