Blackstone Nachos are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer, combining crispy tortilla chips, seasoned meat, melted cheese, fresh vegetables, and bold Tex-Mex flavors into one irresistible dish. Cooking nachos on a Blackstone griddle gives you the ability to prepare every component of the recipe in one place while creating perfectly seasoned toppings that taste even better than restaurant versions.
Unlike traditional oven-baked nachos, the Blackstone allows you to cook the meat, sauté vegetables, melt cheese, and even toast ingredients over a large flat cooking surface. The result is a platter loaded with layers of flavor, crispy chips, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings that make every bite exciting.
Whether you’re hosting a football party, family movie night, backyard barbecue, Taco Tuesday, or casual gathering with friends, Blackstone Nachos are guaranteed to be one of the first dishes to disappear. The recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize every layer with your favorite proteins, cheeses, vegetables, and sauces.
From classic beef nachos to loaded barbecue, chicken, steak, or vegetarian versions, the possibilities are nearly endless. Once you experience how easy it is to make nachos on your Blackstone griddle, they’ll quickly become one of your favorite outdoor recipes.
Ingredients
For the Meat
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ⅓ cup water
For the Nachos
- 1 large bag sturdy tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup queso cheese sauce
Fresh Toppings
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 2 jalapeños, sliced
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Optional Toppings
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Pico de gallo
- Salsa
- Corn
- Black beans
- Pickled jalapeños
- Avocado
- Green onions
Homemade Taco Seasoning (Optional)
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
Why These Ingredients Work
Ground beef provides a hearty, flavorful base, while two cheeses create the perfect balance of sharpness and creamy melt. Tortilla chips provide crunch, queso adds richness, and the fresh vegetables balance the savory toppings with color, texture, and freshness.
How To Blackstone Nachos
Step 1: Preheat the Blackstone
Preheat the griddle to:
Medium Heat
Create separate cooking zones for meat and vegetables.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
Add olive oil to one side of the griddle.
Add ground beef.
Cook for:
6 to 8 minutes
breaking it into small crumbles.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
Step 3: Season the Beef
Add:
- Taco seasoning
- Water
Stir thoroughly.
Cook for:
3 to 4 minutes
until the sauce thickens.
Move the meat to a warm area.
Step 4: Cook the Vegetables
Lightly sauté:
- Onions
- Jalapeños
Cook for:
2 to 3 minutes
Leave tomatoes and lettuce fresh.
Step 5: Warm the Queso
Heat queso in a small griddle-safe pan or saucepan until smooth.
Step 6: Build the Nachos
On a large disposable griddle tray or cast-iron skillet layer:
- Tortilla chips
- Ground beef
- Cheddar cheese
- Monterey Jack
Repeat the layers until all ingredients have been used.
Step 7: Melt the Cheese
Place the tray on the Blackstone.
Cover with a melting dome.
Cook for:
3 to 5 minutes
until the cheese has fully melted.
Step 8: Add Fresh Toppings
Top with:
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Olives
- Cilantro
- Green onions
Step 9: Finish with Sauces
Drizzle:
- Queso
- Sour cream
- Salsa
Add guacamole on the side.
Step 10: Serve Immediately
Serve while the cheese is hot and the chips remain crispy.
You Must Know
Use Thick Tortilla Chips
Restaurant-style chips hold toppings better.
Freshly Shredded Cheese Melts Best
Avoid pre-shredded cheese whenever possible.
Don’t Overload the Chips
Too many toppings can make the chips soggy.
Keep Cold Ingredients Cold
Add lettuce and tomatoes after melting the cheese.
Use a Melting Dome
It helps the cheese melt evenly without overcooking the chips.
Drain the Meat
Excess grease softens the chips.
Layer Evenly
Every chip should receive toppings.
Serve Immediately
Nachos are always best fresh.
Multiple Cheese Types Improve Flavor
Using more than one cheese creates better texture.
Customize Every Batch
Blackstone cooking makes it easy to prepare different variations for guests.
Topping Variations
Supreme Nachos
Add:
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
BBQ Nachos
Top with:
- Pulled pork
- BBQ sauce
- Crispy onions
Chicken Nachos
Replace the beef with:
- Shredded chicken
- Rotisserie chicken
Steak Nachos
Use:
- Grilled steak
- Pepper Jack cheese
Buffalo Chicken
Add:
- Buffalo chicken
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Ranch dressing
Breakfast Nachos
Top with:
- Scrambled eggs
- Bacon
- Sausage
Seafood Nachos
Add:
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Cilantro lime crema
Vegetarian Nachos
Use:
- Black beans
- Corn
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
Loaded Chili Nachos
Top with:
- Homemade chili
- Extra cheddar
- Onions
Street Corn Nachos
Finish with:
- Mexican street corn
- Cotija cheese
- Lime
Make It A Meal
Tex-Mex Dinner
Serve with:
- Mexican rice
- Refried beans
Taco Night
Pair with:
- Tacos
- Quesadillas
- Burritos
Backyard Cookout
Serve alongside:
- Burgers
- Hot dogs
- Grilled corn
Game Day Spread
Add:
- Chicken wings
- Mozzarella sticks
- Jalapeño poppers
Family Fiesta
Pair with:
- Fresh salsa
- Guacamole
- Churros
Casual Weekend Dinner
Serve with:
- Southwest salad
- Fruit
Party Buffet
Include:
- Multiple topping stations
- Various sauces
- Fresh vegetables
Movie Night
Pair with:
- Popcorn
- Soft drinks
- Brownies
Pro Tips
Grate Your Own Cheese
Fresh cheese melts smoother and tastes better.
Cook Meat First
Keeping the meat warm while preparing the remaining ingredients speeds assembly.
Use a Disposable Griddle Tray
Cleanup becomes much easier.
Keep Chips Dry
Avoid adding watery ingredients too early.
Warm the Queso Separately
This prevents scorching.
Build in Layers
Layering distributes toppings more evenly.
Toast the Chips Briefly
Lightly warming the chips before assembling enhances their crunch.
Add Avocado Last
Fresh avocado tastes best when added immediately before serving.
Offer Multiple Sauces
Serve with:
- Salsa
- Queso
- Chipotle mayo
- Hot sauce
- Ranch
Double the Recipe
Nachos disappear quickly at parties and gatherings.
Recipe FAQs
Can I cook nachos directly on the Blackstone?
It’s best to use a cast-iron skillet, griddle-safe tray, or disposable aluminum pan for easy assembly and cleanup.
What chips work best?
Thick restaurant-style tortilla chips provide the best support for toppings.
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely.
Chicken, steak, pork, or even shrimp all make excellent alternatives.
How long do leftovers last?
Store leftover toppings separately for:
3 to 4 days.
Assembled nachos are best eaten immediately.
Can I freeze nachos?
The meat can be frozen, but assembled nachos should not be frozen because the chips lose their texture.
What cheese melts best?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, Chihuahua, and Pepper Jack all melt beautifully.
Can I make vegetarian nachos?
Yes.
Use beans, grilled vegetables, corn, mushrooms, and extra cheese.
How do I prevent soggy chips?
Drain the meat well, avoid watery toppings until serving, and build the nachos just before eating.
Can I prepare ingredients ahead of time?
Yes.
Cook the meat, grate the cheese, and chop the vegetables in advance.
What’s the best way to serve Blackstone Nachos?
Serve them immediately after the cheese melts while the chips remain hot, crisp, and crunchy.
PrintBlackstone Nachos Recipe
Who doesn’t love nachos? Jazz up your nacho routine with these super-tasty Blackstone Nachos Supreme. Made effortlessly on your Blackstone Griddle, there’s nothing like this towering pile of crispy chips and delish toppings for your next snack attack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Olive Oil 1 tablespoon
- Ground Beef 1 lb
- Taco Seasoning 2 tablespoons
- Tortilla Strips 12 ounces
- Water 2 tablespoons
- Shredded Cheese 2 cups
- Tomato, Diced 1/2 cup
- Peppers, Bell 1/4 cup
- Sour Cream 2 tablespoons
- Lettuce, Shredded 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Preheat the Blackstone Flat Top Griddle to medium heat.
- Prepare your diced tomatoes, peppers and lettuce.
- As the Blackstone Griddle is heating up, apply the olive oil and spread with a griddle spatula.
- When the griddle is hot and nearly smoking, add ground hamburger to the griddle. Cook the ground burger, breaking it up as you go, until it is in small pieces and no longer pink inside.
- Make sure to separate as much of the ground beef grease from the cooked burger as possible before adding the taco seasoning. Push the excess grease into the grease trap.
- Top the cooked burger with the taco seasoning. Add a squirt of water to help combine the ground beef and taco seasoning,
- When the meat mixture is cooked, place tortilla chips on a prepared baking sheet pan or serving dish lined with parchment paper.
- Top the tortilla chips with the hot beef mixture, and the shredded cheese.
- If desired place the whole sheet pan with the chips, burger and cheese onto the the hot Blackstone Griddle and cover with a large dome lid for about 2 – 3 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Choose your desired toppings. Sprinkle the toppings like chopped bell peppers, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and of course, a dollop of sour cream.
- Serve hot and make sure to have a variety of side, if possible, that your guests will like.
