Looking for a quick and delectable meal or snack to enjoy around the campfire? Try this Campfire Nachos Recipe!
Loaded with cheese, seasoned ground meat, black beans, fresh tomatoes, and jalapeños, these nachos are easy to assemble at your campsite or for a treat at home and perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Why This Campfire Nachos Recipe is Perfect for Camping
This campfire nachos recipe is ideal for camping because it’s simple to prepare, highly customizable, and doesn’t require many ingredients.
Whether you’re using a cast iron skillet or a foil pan, these nachos can be made right over the campfire, creating a delicious, shareable treat in minutes that’s a guaranteed home run!
Campfire Nachos Recipe
Ingredient List: [Per 2 Servings]
- 1 bag tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1/4 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Preparation Instructions at Home
- Cook the ground meat: In a skillet, cook ground beef or turkey over medium heat until fully browned. Season with salt, pepper, and any preferred spices (like cumin or paprika). Drain excess fat, let cool, and pack in an airtight container.
- Prepare toppings: Dice the tomatoes and slice the jalapeños. Pack them in separate containers or resealable bags. Rinse and drain the black beans and pack them in a container.
- Pack the cheese: Shred the cheddar cheese and store it in a resealable bag or container.
Finishing Instructions at the Campsite
- Prepare the pan: Use a cast iron skillet or foil pan for cooking. Lightly grease the pan with a bit of oil or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer the nachos: Begin by spreading a layer of tortilla chips on the bottom of the pan. Add a portion of the shredded cheese, cooked ground meat, black beans, tomatoes, and jalapeños. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a final layer of cheese on top.
- Cook the nachos: Place the skillet or foil pan over medium heat on the campfire grate. Cover with a lid or foil to trap heat and help the cheese melt evenly. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Home Cooking Tip:
No campfire? You can bake these nachos in a 400°F oven for 10–12 minutes. Just follow the same layering steps in an oven-safe skillet or foil pan, then bake uncovered until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Home Cooking Tip:
- Garnish and serve: Carefully remove from the heat, uncover, and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with a side of sour cream.
Tips for Perfect Campfire Nachos Recipe
- Adjust the heat: Make sure the campfire isn’t too hot to avoid burning the bottom layer of chips. You can adjust the distance between the pan and the flame to control the cooking temperature.
- Get creative with toppings: Feel free to add other toppings like guacamole, salsa, olives, or jalapeños for extra flavor.
- Start with a layer of cheese for the base of nachos: It will take a little breaking apart at the end but the almost focaccia-like effect under your nachos is to die for!
Don’t have storage containers, cooking equipment, or serving ware to suit your needs? No problem! Check out this checklist from REI with links to tons of tools to make your dish in the wild seamless! Camp Kitchen Checklist
FAQ — Campfire Nachos
Toppings like cooked proteins, beans, vegetables, and sauces can be prepared at home so assembly at camp is quick and simple.
The nachos are layered in a skillet or foil pan and heated over a campfire or fire grate until everything is warmed through and the cheese melts.
Yes. Nachos are flexible, so you can adjust toppings, heat level, and add-ons based on what you pack or who you’re cooking for.
Conclusion
This campfire nachos recipe offers a tasty, satisfying snack or meal that’s easy to prepare right at your campsite.
With minimal ingredients and simple assembly, it’s a great way to enjoy a delicious treat while embracing the beauty of nature and good company!
Planning great meals can totally change the game for your camping trip. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we have!
Your Turn
Ready to try this recipe on your next camping trip? We’d love to see how it turned out! Be sure to tag us on social media and share your camping cooking experience. Whether you nailed it or added your own twist, let us know how it went!
@thedisperseddietitian #thedisperseddietitian
Related Recipes and Inspiration
For another cheesy campfire meal, try my camping quesadillas. They’re crispy, melty, and easy to customize, making them a great option for a different night when you want something just as simple but a little more meal-like than nachos.
Looking for more recipes you can prep before your trip? Browse my 15 make-ahead camping meals for easy breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks that make camp cooking simple.
Check out our whole blog for even more cooking ideas, campfire drinks, and amazing locations to complete your elevated outdoor trip!
Campfire Nachos Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bag tortilla chips
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 pound ground beef or chicken
- 1/4 cup black beans drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup tomatoes diced
- 1/4 cup jalapeños sliced
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
Make-Ahead:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or chicken until fully cooked (about 7-10 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, or your favorite taco seasoning. Drain any excess fat and let the meat cool. Measure out 1/2 cup and store it in an airtight container in the cooler.
- Drain and rinse the black beans, dice the tomatoes, and slice the jalapenos. Measure out 1/4 cup of each and store separately in containers in the cooler.
- Pack up chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, and cilantro for later at the campsite.
At Camp:
- Layer the Ingredients in a Disposable Foil Pan or Cast Iron Skillet:Base Layer: Spread a layer of tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of the pan.Add Cheese: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the chips.Add Meat: Distribute the pre-cooked ground beef or chicken evenly over the cheese.Add Beans: Sprinkle the black beans over the meat.Add Tomatoes and Jalapeños: Evenly distribute the diced tomatoes and sliced jalapeños on top.Finish with Cheese: Add the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top to melt and bind everything together.
- Place the pan over the campfire grate or on hot coals. Heat for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Rotate the pan occasionally to ensure even heating and avoid burning.
- If making at home – You can bake these nachos in a 400°F oven for 10–12 minutes. Just follow the same layering steps in an oven-safe skillet or foil pan, then bake uncovered until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Carefully remove the pan from the heat. Top the nachos with dollops of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Serve the nachos directly out of the pan and enjoy!
Notes
Additional Resources
Remember, all foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle from the ultra nutritious to the indulgent treat. Check out this information from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to learn more about finding balance in your diet: