How to Eat Nachos

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 20, 2023 References

Nachos are a versatile food. You can eat them as a complete meal, or as an appetizer. You can eat them all by yourself, or share them with other people. There are a few tricks you can do, however, to up your nacho-eating experience, and make those cheesy tortilla chips even tastier.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Eating Nachos

1
Eat them while they are hot, and don't save them for later. Nachos taste best while they are still warm. The longer you let them sit, the greasier they will become. If you end up having any left over, it might be best to throw them away. Nachos don't reheat well, and usually turn into a greasy, gloopy mess.^{[1]
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2
Keep your hands clean. Nachos are a finger food, much like French fries, so you'd want to eat them with your fingers. This is especially important if you are sharing a bowl of nachos with other people. If you are serving nachos at a party, consider including some baby wipes or hand sanitizer. This way, your guests can clean their hands before digging in—and keep them clean throughout the meal.
- It is possible to eat nachos with a fork, but other people might laugh at you.
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3
Make your own nachos if you are at a party and there is a nacho bar. Some hosts may put out a big bowl of tortilla chips and smaller bowls filled with various toppings. If you see this, you'd want to put a handful of tortilla chips onto your plate first, and then add the toppings. Start with the heavier items, such as meat and beans. Add on the cheese and salsa. Finish off with guacamole, sour cream, and if desired, green onion.
- No matter how much you like a certain topping, don't take more than a spoonful or two until the other guests have taken their first helping. It is not polite to hog all the food.
4
Turn nachos from a simple appetizer to a meal by piling on more toppings. The most basic nacho dish consists of a bowl of tortilla chips slathered with cheese sauce. This makes a great appetizer, but a poor meal. You can take your nachos to the next level by piling on pulled pork or beans.
5
Use the dry nachos to scoop up the toppings. When you look a bowl of nachos, you may notice that some chips are dry, and some are loaded with goodies. Take the dry nachos first, and use them to scoop up the goodies. Keep doing this until there is a thin layer of goodies. Only then can you pick up the goodie-covered chip. This will prevent you from taking too many toppings at once and making a big mess.^{[2]
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6
Know how to keep your fingers clean while eating nachos that are loaded with toppings. If you don't want to get your fingers dirty while taking a goodie-covered chip, pick up a dry chip first. Place it over the covered chip, sandwiching the goodies in between. You now have a nacho sandwich that is dry on the top and bottom. You can now pick the chip up, and pop it into your mouth.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Serving and Pairing Nachos

1
Share nachos with friends. Nachos often come in big portions. If you are making some at home, consider inviting some friends over to help you eat them. You can even turn the nacho-eating-party to a game or movie night. If you are at a restaurant with a group of friends, consider ordering a bowl of nachos as an appetizer.
- Guacamole and sour cream are popular toppings, but not everyone likes them. Consider serving the guacamole and sour cream in separate bowls so that those who do like them can serve themselves.^{[3]
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2
Serve nachos in the evening at casual events and parties. Some foods work well at formal, suit-and-tie events, while others don't. Nachos, being a messy finger food, are one of those. They fare better at casual events where people aren't wearing their best clothes and practicing good etiquette.
- Barbeques
- Casual parties and dinners
- Movie nights
- Sports games, especially the Super Bowl
3
Make a nacho bar if you are serving them for a crowd. Set out a big bowl of tortilla chips along with a stack of plates. Next, set out smaller bowls filled with various nacho toppings. Your guests will serve themselves and make their own nacho plates. Here are some ideas for toppings:^{[4]
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- Beans (black or pinto)
- Black olives and/or pickled jalapenos
- Cilantro, green onions, and/or scallions
- Guacamole and/or sour sauce
- Pulled Chicken
- Salsa and chopped little tomatoes
- Shredded cheese and/or spicy cheese sauce
- Limes cut into wedges
4
Pair nachos with other side dishes for a more complete meal. Not everything goes well with nachos, of course. Whether you are trying to turn a bowl of nachos into a more complete meal, or add variety to your nacho bar, it is important to select the right dishes. Here are some popular side dishes that many people find complement nachos well:
- Beans (black or pinto)
- Chicken tortilla soup
- Corn
- Green salad
- Spanish rice
- Quesadillas
5
Pair nachos with fizzy drinks. Like pizza, nachos are heavy and greasy. A cold, fizzy drink, such as a soda, will help them go down better. If you are of legal drinking age, try pairing the nachos with a cold, pale beer, lager, or ale instead.^{[6]
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- Other alcoholic beverages that go well with nachos include margaritas and mojitos.
- Wine goes with many dishes, but nachos are one exception. When eating or serving nachos, skip the wine.^{[7]
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Community Q&A

Question

While eating nachos, should I eat using front teeth, canines or back teeth?

Community Answer

You can use whichever teeth feel natural and normal to you.
Question

Is it normal to eat nachos with a fork?

Community Answer

Some prefer not to get their hands dirty when they eat messy food, so that's completely understandable.
Question

Is it normal to crush everything up with a fork and stir it around?

FutureHow

Community Answer

As the Tips section says, 'There is no right or wrong way to eat nachos'. If you crush them up, though, it could technically be called taco salad.