Ultimate Pork Carnitas Nachos: Your Go-To Sheet Pan Recipe with Homemade Queso & Chipotle Cream Sauce
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these savory Pork Carnitas Nachos, perfectly designed for an easy sheet pan dinner or a show-stopping party appetizer. Each chip is loaded with tender, crispy carnitas, a rich homemade queso, and a zesty chipotle cream sauce, creating a flavor explosion that will leave everyone craving more!
There’s something inherently satisfying about a generous plate of nachos—crisp tortilla chips piled high and drenched in gooey melted cheese, then adorned with an array of delicious toppings. This recipe for Pork Carnitas Nachos with Homemade Queso takes that satisfaction to a whole new level. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience, transforming simple ingredients into a fiesta of flavors and textures.
This dish is a true culinary hero, perfect for a multitude of occasions. Imagine a busy weeknight where you need a quick yet flavorful dinner solution, especially if you have leftover Crockpot Pork Carnitas ready to go. Or, picture hosting a gathering with friends, where these sheet pan nachos become the undisputed star appetizer, easy to share and guaranteed to be devoured. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility and incredible taste. The succulent pork carnitas, slow-cooked to perfection, serves as a fantastic base that can be prepared ahead of time, making assembly a breeze.
Beyond nachos, these flavorful carnitas can elevate countless dishes, from savory tacos and hearty burrito bowls to creative quesadillas and more. But for now, get ready to tantalize your taste buds, because this recipe promises a meal that will leave you feeling completely full, happy, and utterly satisfied. It’s comfort food at its finest, with a vibrant Mexican-inspired twist that will have you coming back for seconds, and maybe even thirds!
Why You’ll Love These Pork Carnitas Nachos
These aren’t just any nachos; they’re the kind that disappear almost as quickly as you make them. Here’s why these Pork Carnitas Nachos will become a beloved staple in your recipe collection:
- Unbeatable Flavor Combination: The richness of slow-cooked pork carnitas, the creamy indulgence of homemade queso, and the smoky kick of chipotle cream sauce create a symphony of flavors that is truly irresistible.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you need a quick and easy weeknight dinner, a fun game day snack, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for a party, these nachos fit the bill. The sheet pan method makes serving simple and cleanup even easier.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The star of the show, the pork carnitas, can be prepared days in advance. This means less stress and more enjoyment when it’s time to assemble and serve. The homemade queso and chipotle cream sauce can also be made ahead, further streamlining your prep time.
- Customizable to Your Liking: While we offer a fantastic combination of toppings, nachos are inherently flexible. You can easily add or swap out ingredients to suit dietary preferences or seasonal availability, ensuring everyone finds something they love.
- Satisfying and Filling: Loaded with protein from the pork and wholesome ingredients, these nachos are hearty enough to be a complete meal, leaving you feeling perfectly satiated.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Perfect Nachos
Gathering the right tools beforehand will make your nacho assembly smooth and efficient. Here’s what you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece:
- A sharp knife and cutting board: Essential for precise slicing and dicing of fresh toppings like jalapeños, radishes, and avocados.
- A small saucepan and whisk: Crucial for preparing the silky smooth homemade queso, ensuring no lumps.
- A cookie sheet (or baking sheet): The hero of sheet pan dinners, providing a large surface for an even layer of chips and toppings, perfect for baking to golden perfection.
- A small bowl and spoon: Ideal for mixing and stirring together the simple yet flavorful chipotle cream sauce.
- A mandolin – optional: For those who love ultra-thin, delicate slices of radishes or jalapeños, a mandolin can achieve professional-level uniformity effortlessly and safely.
- Parchment Paper: While not listed, it’s highly recommended for lining your cookie sheet for easy cleanup and preventing sticking.
Key Ingredients for Your Carnitas Nachos Feast
The magic of these nachos comes from the quality and freshness of their ingredients. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need to create these unforgettable Pork Carnitas Nachos:
- Crockpot Pork Carnitas: The star! Prepare these tender, slow-cooked pork pieces in advance for maximum flavor and ease. Shredded is best for nacho topping.
- Tortilla Chips: Opt for sturdy, restaurant-style tortilla chips that can hold up to the generous layers of toppings without crumbling.
- Jalapeños: Freshly sliced jalapeños add a bright, spicy kick and a beautiful pop of color. Adjust the quantity to your preferred level of heat.
- Radishes: Thinly sliced radishes provide a refreshing crunch and a peppery bite, cutting through the richness of the cheese and pork.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is a must for its vibrant, herby flavor that brightens the entire dish.
- Avocados: Creamy, diced, or sliced avocados add a luxurious texture and healthy fats, balancing the savory notes.
- Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished nachos or avocado adds a burst of acidity that awakens all the flavors.
- Homemade Queso: Our special recipe for a smooth, cheesy, and perfectly spiced queso is a game-changer. It’s worth the extra few minutes to make it from scratch!
- Chipotle Cream Sauce: This creamy, smoky, and slightly spicy sauce drizzled over the top provides the perfect finishing touch and a hint of heat.
More Mexican-Inspired Culinary Adventures
If you’re a fan of the bold and vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine, you’ll love these other recipes that are perfect for any meal or gathering. Expand your culinary repertoire with these delicious ideas:
Baked Chicken Enchilada Dip
Vegetarian Quesadillas
Chicken Enchilada Puffs
Vegetarian Enchiladas Recipe
Freezer Burritos Recipe
Common Questions About Nachos & Leftovers
While individual components like cooked pork carnitas can be frozen for later use, it is generally not a good idea to freeze fully assembled nachos. The tortilla chips will become soggy and lose their crispy texture upon thawing, and the cheese and other fresh toppings may separate or become unappetizing. For the best experience, nachos should always be enjoyed fresh.
I strongly recommend against saving assembled nachos once they have been served. The combination of moist ingredients with crispy chips quickly leads to a soggy mess. It is best to dispose of any fully assembled nachos you have leftover. However, you can strategically save the individual components! Store any leftover cooked pork carnitas and homemade queso separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for leftovers, simply reheat the pork and queso, then assemble fresh nachos with new tortilla chips and any desired fresh toppings. For more creative ways to use leftover pork, be sure to check out my Pork Carnitas Tacos recipe.
For these Pork Carnitas Nachos, I absolutely adore our simple homemade queso recipe; its creamy texture and balanced spice perfectly complement the rich flavor of the pork. However, if you have a favorite store-bought queso or another go-to cheese sauce that you love and already make, feel free to use it! If you prefer using shredded cheese, arrange your tortilla chips on a sheet pan, top them with the warm carnitas and shredded cheese, and bake in the oven until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, typically around 10 minutes. Afterwards, load up your nachos with fresh extras like jalapeños and cilantro. If you opt for a liquid cheese from a jar, simply heat it thoroughly before pouring it over your assembled nachos.
While pork carnitas are exceptional, you have several delicious options for nacho meat. Leftover shredded chicken or steak are fantastic alternatives. The key is to choose a meat that won’t overpower the other nacho flavors with a competing marinade or seasoning. Stick with flavors in the Mexican spice family, or opt for more neutral seasonings like garlic, onion, and pepper. For some excellent alternative meat options, consider my Cilantro Lime Chicken or Citrus Skirt Steak, both of which would integrate beautifully into nachos. For a flavorful vegetarian twist, you could use well-seasoned fajita vegetables (peppers, onions, mushrooms) or crumbled, cooked tofu as a hearty and satisfying base.
Elevate Your Nachos: Creative Topping Ideas
While our recipe features a fantastic combination of fresh cilantro, thinly sliced jalapeños, creamy avocados, and crisp radishes, the beauty of nachos lies in their customization. Don’t hesitate to get creative with your toppings to suit your taste preferences or whatever you have on hand. Here are some other incredible additions you could use to elevate your Pork Carnitas Nachos:
- Salsa: A dollop of your favorite salsa or try my homemade blender salsa for a fresh burst of flavor.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A cooling dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt can balance the heat and richness.
- Diced Tomatoes: Freshly diced Roma tomatoes add juiciness and a hint of sweetness.
- Serrano Peppers: For those who crave even more heat, thinly sliced Serrano peppers are a great addition.
- Black Beans: Rinsed and drained black beans add extra protein and a hearty texture.
- Cooked Corn: Sweet corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned) provide a lovely sweetness and pop of color.
- Diced Red Onion: For a sharp, pungent kick and crisp texture.
- Pico de Gallo: A fresh chunky salsa made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños.
- Guacamole: Instead of plain avocado slices, a scoop of homemade guacamole would be divine.
- Pickled Red Onions: These offer a tangy, sweet, and slightly acidic counterpoint that is simply amazing with rich carnitas.
- Cotija Cheese: Crumbly, salty Cotija cheese adds an authentic Mexican touch.
No matter how you top them, these Pork Carnitas Nachos are sure to be a hit. The combination of crispy chips, savory pork, creamy queso, and a smoky, spicy sauce creates a truly unforgettable dish.
Have you tried this incredible Pork Nachos Recipe? Don’t forget to comment below and rate it! Your feedback helps us share the deliciousness with more food lovers.
Happy Eating!
Pork Carnitas Nachos with Homemade Queso
Caitlyn Erhardt
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Rate this Recipe
15
minutes
10
minutes
25
minutes
8 Servings
497 kcal
Ingredients
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2 ½ Cups Crockpot Pork Carnitas Shredded
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16 Oz Tortilla Chips
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1 Fresh Jalapeño Diced or Sliced (Optional)
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4 Small Radishes Thinly Sliced (Optional)
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½ Cup Fresh Cilantro
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2 tablespoons Lime Juice
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2 Avocados Sliced or Diced
Homemade Queso
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2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
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2 tablespoons All Purpose Flour
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⅓-1/2 Cup Milk
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2 Oz Cream Cheese
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1 ½ Cups Pepper Jack Cheese
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2 tablespoons Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
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½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
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1 teaspoon Onion Powder
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½ teaspoon Chili Powder
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¼ teaspoon Cumin
Chipotle Cream Sauce
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½ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
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½ Cup Mayo
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2 teaspoons Sriracha
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2 teaspoons Chipotle Seasoning
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½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
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½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
Instructions
Homemade Queso
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In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in the all-purpose flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute until a smooth paste (roux) forms. Gradually whisk in the milk to avoid any clumps, and continue to whisk until the mixture slightly thickens, approximately 3-5 minutes.
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Slowly add both the cream cheese and pepper jack cheese, stirring continuously until all the cheese is fully melted and the queso is smooth. *Finally, stir in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin until well combined. Keep the queso warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, until you are ready to assemble your nachos.
Chipotle Cream Sauce
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In a small bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, mayo, sriracha, chipotle seasoning, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir all ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and smooth. Set this delicious sauce aside until your nachos are ready for drizzling.
Nacho Assembly
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Begin by preparing your fresh toppings: carefully slice or dice the jalapeños and avocados. For the radishes, thinly slice them using a sharp knife or a mandolin for uniform, delicate pieces. If using fresh lime, juice it now. Ensure your fresh cilantro is picked from the stems.
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Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Spread the tortilla chips evenly across the prepared sheet, creating a single layer where possible. Generously top the chips with your warm Crockpot Pork Carnitas, followed by a liberal amount of the homemade queso and a drizzle of the chipotle cream sauce. Next, add your prepared fresh extras: sliced jalapeños, radishes, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Alternatively, for a more interactive experience, you could arrange all the ingredients in separate bowls and allow each individual to customize their own plate of nachos. Serve immediately and enjoy the ultimate nacho experience!
Notes
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Nutrition
Calories: 497kcal
Carbohydrates: 36.3g
Protein: 30.7g
Fat: 26.3g
Saturated Fat: 7.3g
Cholesterol: 95mg
Sodium: 350mg
Potassium: 723mg
Fiber: 6.7g
Sugar: 2.2g
Calcium: 140mg
Iron: 2.3mg
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