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Camping Grilled Nachos

Camping grilled nachos piled in a disposable aluminum pan with melted Mexican cheese and hearty beef. Loaded tortilla chips melt into a melty, bubbly top layer over campfire heat for an easy outdoor cooking appetizer.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Calories: 980

Ingredients
  

Tortilla chips
  • 1 bag tortilla chips
Mexican cheese blend
  • 3 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Black beans
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained
Ground beef
  • 1 lb ground beef cooked and seasoned
Salsa
  • 1 cup salsa
Sour cream
  • 1 cup sour cream
Jalapeño
  • 1 jalapeño sliced
Cilantro
  • 0.25 cup cilantro chopped
Lime wedges
  • 1 lime wedges

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Assemble the nachos in an aluminum pan
  1. Line a large disposable aluminum pan with half the tortilla chips, spreading them into an even layer so they’ll melt uniformly.
  2. Layer on half the shredded Mexican cheese blend, half the drained black beans, and half the cooked and seasoned ground beef for a dense, hearty base.
  3. Repeat with the remaining tortilla chips, shredded Mexican cheese blend, black beans, and ground beef to build a tall nacho stack that will bubble at the top.
Grill over the campfire
  1. Place the aluminum pan on the grill grate over medium campfire heat, ensuring it sits stable over the coals.
  2. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then remove the pan from the heat when the surface is hot and glossy.
Finish and serve
  1. Top the hot nachos with salsa, letting it seep slightly into the melted cheese.
  2. Add sour cream in spoonfuls so it creates cool, creamy pockets on the warm chips.
  3. Scatter sliced jalapeño and chopped cilantro over the top for fresh bite and green color.
  4. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side so guests can squeeze over the nachos to brighten the flavor.

Notes

Pro tip: for the most even melt, keep the pan layer thickness consistent and don’t crowd the tortilla chips too tightly. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container up to 3 days; reheat in a hot oven or on a grill-safe surface until warm (best texture within 1 day). Freezing isn’t recommended because the chips can soften. For a lighter option, use lean ground beef or swap with cooked shredded chicken while keeping the same cheese and toppings.