Carne Asada Nachos Recipe | Damn Declious (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good nachos? ›

If you feel like revving up your nacho game, try topping them with grilled shrimp, doused in lime juice and some chipotle chili powder. Add grated Monterey Jack, sliced avocado, some seeded and sliced jalapenos and queso fresco to top it off.

* Bring refrigerated toppings to room temperature before piling them onto the warm chips. * To prevent the chips from getting soggy, sprinkle grated or crumbled cheese on top and bake them in the oven for a few minutes. When melted, the cheese will act as a buffer between the chips and toppings.

The key to getting these cuts of meat tender and juicy is: a long marination time, not cooking it above medium-rare (even medium), and slicing it thinly against the grain. These cuts of meat tend to be more tough so it's important to follow these few steps to improve the texture.

Sharp cheddar gets my vote for nacho cheese. It melts smoothly without being stringy, while having a nice flavorful punch. You can use mild or medium cheddar if you prefer, but the flavor will be a bit blander. Monterey jack and pepper jack also melt really well into sauces and make a great white nacho cheese sauce.

Limiting the number of ingredients baked with the chips is the key to crispiness. Top chips with no more than two or three toppings. Choose from items such as black beans, refried beans, chopped grilled chicken, seasoned ground beef (browned and drained), or chopped jalapenos.

Spread out a layer of chips, followed by an even distribution of meat and beans, then lots--I mean lots--of cheese. Complete coverage guarantees you don't commit the cardinal sin of nacho making: the sad chip with no topping. Repeat until you have an impressive tray a few layers high, then bake.

The cooking method

Drummond "nukes" the nachos in a microwave and the NYT grills them, but the best results, I find, come from baking, which heats the dish all the way through without making the base layer soft and chewy.

Should I put parchment paper under my nachos? ›

Be sure to add a layer of aluminum foil or parchment paper to the bottom of your baking sheet before assembling the nachos. This will make clean up easy and prevent the nachos from sticking.

It's important to cut carne asada AFTER cooking. You should be cooking the meat as a whole steak, then cut the cooked steak (after resting) into strips.

Most recipes for marinating meat and poultry recommend six hours up to 24 hours. It is safe to keep the food in the marinade longer, but after two days it is possible that the marinade can start to break down the fibers of the meat, causing it to become mushy.

The BEST cuts for the Mexican version of the dish we all know and love are either skirt steak or flank steak. Personally, I prefer skirt steak (pictured). It's more tender and flavourful than flank and can be cooked well done (for those who prefer well) without getting tough and chewy.

A great way to serve nachos to a larger party is to layer them, baking in between each layer. Start with a base of tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, jalapeño, and any warm fillings like meats and veggies. Once the cheese melts, remove from the oven, add another layer, and repeat.

As many as you like. I usually have one layer of chips, then cheese, more chips, meat of choice, choped tomatoes, onion, cliantro, salsa and sour cream. How do you make nachos that stay nice and crunchy while you're eating them? Pretty much every single item in your nacho toppings will have some degree of moisture.

To make sure every chip is covered in cheese, lay down the cheese on the chips first. The cheese will serve as a blanket, protecting the chips from liquidy, sog-inducing toppings.