Crispy Whole30 Nachos Recipe

Introduction

These Crispy Whole30 Nachos combine savory chorizo, creamy dairy-free cheese sauce, and fresh toppings for a satisfying and flavorful snack or meal. Perfectly grain-free and packed with vibrant flavors, they make a great option for those following the Whole30 program or anyone craving a delicious twist on classic nachos.

A metal rectangular tray filled with a base layer of yellow tortilla chips arranged around the edges and underneath, topped with a thick layer of cooked ground beef which has a brown crumbly texture, then a layer of diced red tomatoes and green avocado chunks mixed with fresh green cilantro leaves scattered on top. Sliced green jalapeños are placed in the center, and the whole dish is drizzled with light orange creamy sauce in diagonal lines. A halved lime with a bright green interior sits on the bottom-right corner of the tray, resting on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup cashews (no need to soak)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons avocado or light olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons taco spice mix
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 5 oz pack grain-free tortilla chips (Siete Foods lime flavor recommended)
  • Olive oil (for cooking chorizo)
  • 1 lb chorizo sausage
  • 3/4 cup fresh pico de gallo (salsa)
  • 1 avocado (peeled and chopped)
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, loosely packed

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place all cheese sauce ingredients—cashews, lemon or lime juice, avocado or olive oil, nutritional yeast, taco spice mix, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and warm water—into a high-speed blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy, about one minute. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Arrange the tortilla chips evenly on a platter or baking sheet. Top with browned chorizo, pico de gallo, chopped avocado, and sliced jalapeños. Drizzle the cheese sauce generously over the assembled nachos, reserving some for dipping.
  4. Step 4: Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately while the cheese sauce is warm for the best flavor and texture.

Tips & Variations

  • Use a small high-speed blender like a Nutribullet for the cheese sauce to achieve a smooth consistency easily.
  • Substitute ground beef for chorizo if preferred, or use a plant-based chorizo for a vegetarian option.
  • Add extra toppings like black olives, diced tomatoes, or shredded lettuce for more texture and flavor variety.

Storage

Store any leftover nachos components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the cheese sauce gently on low heat or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently. Chips will lose their crispness if stored assembled, so avoid storing fully assembled nachos.

How to Serve

A metal rectangular tray filled with several layers starting with a base of dark brown cooked ground beef, topped with scattered light green avocado pieces and small red tomato chunks. Fresh green cilantro leaves and four bright green jalapeño slices are spread on top. There are thin zigzag lines of light orange creamy sauce drizzled over everything. Around the edges, several yellow corn tortilla chips stand upright. A halved lime is placed on the right side of the tray, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the cheese sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the cashew cheese sauce can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Stir well before serving, and rewarm gently if you prefer it warm.

Are these nachos suitable for gluten-free diets?

Yes, by using grain-free tortilla chips like those from Siete Foods, these nachos are gluten-free and compliant with Whole30 guidelines.

Print

Crispy Whole30 Nachos Recipe

These Crispy Whole30 Nachos offer a flavorful and satisfying dish featuring a creamy cashew-based cheese sauce, spicy browned chorizo, and fresh toppings like pico de gallo, avocado, jalapeño, and cilantro. Perfect for a Whole30-approved snack or meal that is grain-free, dairy-free, and packed with bold flavors.

  • Author: Tim
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
  • Diet: Whole30

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Sauce

  • 3/4 cup cashews (no need to soak)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons avocado or light olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons taco spice mix
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup warm water

Nachos Assembly

  • 5 oz pack grain-free tortilla chips (Siete Foods lime flavor used)
  • Olive oil (for cooking chorizo)
  • 1 lb chorizo sausage
  • 3/4 cup fresh pico de gallo (salsa)
  • 1 avocado (peeled and chopped)
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, loosely packed

Instructions

  1. Blend the Cheese Sauce: Place all the cheese sauce ingredients—cashews, lemon or lime juice, avocado or light olive oil, nutritional yeast, taco spice mix, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and warm water—into a high-speed blender. Use a small blender like a Nutribullet or Ninja for best results with this small portion. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, which may take about a minute or slightly longer depending on your blender. Set the sauce aside.
  2. Cook the Chorizo: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chorizo sausage to the skillet. Cook it thoroughly, breaking up any lumps with a spatula or spoon to ensure even browning and the right texture for topping your nachos. Continue until the chorizo is browned and cooked through.
  3. Assemble the Nachos: On a platter or small baking sheet, spread your grain-free tortilla chips evenly. Spoon the cooked browned chorizo over the chips. Layer on fresh pico de gallo, diced avocado, and thinly sliced jalapeño pepper. Drizzle the creamy cheese sauce generously over the assembled nachos, reserving some to serve on the side as dipping sauce.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the fully assembled nachos with fresh cilantro leaves for a bright, herbaceous finish. Serve the nachos immediately while the cheese sauce is still warm and creamy. Enjoy this delicious and wholesome Whole30-friendly snack or meal!

Notes

  • Use a high-speed blender to ensure a creamy cheese sauce texture.
  • Grain-free tortilla chips such as those from Siete Foods keep the recipe Whole30 compliant.
  • You can substitute chorizo with ground beef if preferred.
  • Adjust jalapeño amount based on desired spiciness.
  • Serve immediately to enjoy chips at their crispiest.
  • Extra cheese sauce makes a great dip for chips or veggies.

Keywords: Whole30 nachos, grain-free nachos, cashew cheese sauce, chorizo nachos, dairy-free nachos, paleo snack, healthy nachos

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