Do you have leftover brisket? This beef brisket nachos recipe is perfect for it! If you don’t have leftovers I have also included a recipe for brisket as well below!
Nachos works well for game days, weeknight dinners, a fancy snack or a delicious appetizer
Make sure you pick up all your favorite toppings, everyone is gonna love these loaded beef brisket nachos!
Table of contents
Using Leftover Smoked Brisket
You can either use leftover smoked brisket for this recipe or smoke a brisket specially for this reicpe.
I find that brisket is such a HUGE cut, so we always have lots of leftovers so nachos are a perfect way to use up that leftover brisket!
If you need to cook some brisket for this recipe, see my method below.
What You Need for Brisket Nachos
Beef Brisket
Tortilla Chips (or you can make your own, Ill show you how to do it below)
Choice of cheese (we picked a 4-cheese Mexican blend)
Green Onions
Avocado
4 Bean Mix
Jalapeno Slices
Fresh Cilantro
Lime Wedges
Sour Cream
Why You’ll Love These BBQ Brisket Nachos
Who doesn’t love corn tortilla chips stacked with your favorite toppings like cheese, black beans, and sour cream.
Nachos invented in the 1940s when Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya wanted to feed a group of US Military wives who were visiting his town of Piedras Negras.
Since then Americans have been enjoying the traditional Mexican flavors together because these are a simple, quick, and easy way to enjoy with friends and family.
Our Favorite Brisket Nacho Toppings
- Pinto Beans
- Jalapeños
- Corn
- Cheese
- Cilantro
- Avocado
- Red Onion
- Green Onion
- Salsa
Loaded Brisket Nachos – The Ultimate Experience
Adding a BBQ brisket chili mixed with melted American cheese (protein and fat) to cups of tortilla chips (starch) really does fire up the taste buds.
I want to get across to you guys that experimentation and a rustic approach are key. Think pinto beans and cheddar cheese or sour cream with a vinegar-based hot sauce on melted succulent brisket.
The optional toppings and creativeness are what makes these unique!
Our Method for Loaded Brisket Nachos
I’ve sent this out in two stages so you know how to make the brisket and then load the nachos.
Even though we are doing the brisket at a higher temperature and for half the time, it would still be wise to cook it the day before you plan on serving the nachos.
Enjoy!
How Make Your Own Tortilla Chips
You can use store brought chips or make your own.
To make your own, cut corn tortilla shells into quarters and fry in small batches until slightly browned.
Place tortilla chips on a rack to dry and coat lightly with sea salt.
Make Your Own Cheese Sauce
Making a gooey oozy cheese sauce will take your nachos to the next level.
Heat 2 tbsp of butter in a saucepan, when bubbly and melted add 2 tbsp of flour and stir until combined.
Whisk in 1 cup of milk and bring to a simmer.
Slowly mix in 8 oz of smoked cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
What Temperature to Cook the Brisket
What temperature should I be smoking the brisket at? This brisket is cooked hot and fast at 325°F. Set the temperature at 325°F.
What Internal Temperature Does the Meat Need to Be?
The internal temperature for your meat should be 204°F.
To accurately do this, insert a temperature probe into the thickest part of the brisket.
How Long to Smoke the Brisket?
The brisket should take around 3-4 hours depending on the size if you are smoking at 325F.
15 minutes per pound should be enough to get this bad boy done!
How Long to Heat the Loaded Nachos?
Once we have loaded our nachos we need to warm them through enough to crisp and melt the cheese.
Put the nachos in an oven at 200°F for around 15 mins or until you can see the brisket fat rendering and the corn chips darkening in color.
Put on the sour cream, green onion & cilantro after it’s been in the oven.
Method for Loaded Smoked Brisket Nachos
If you are using leftover brisket jump straight to step 3!
Step 1: Preparation of the Spice Rub, Brisket & Smoker
- Using a sharp knife, trim any excess silver skin. Leave at least an inch of fat on the cap.
- Cover with oil and spice rub liberally around the whole thing. Leave for an hour before cooking.
- Make sure your smoker or grill is clean from the previous use and the load and prime with applewood
chips. Set the temperature on direct heat of 325F. - Mix the spices together thoroughly and set apart a few pinches for the sauce. Cover the trimmed brisket in a binder like mustard or oil and coat with the spice rub and rest.
- Load and prime your clean smoker with applewood chips.
Step 2: Cooking the Brisket
- When you are up to temperature, put on the brisket with the fat cap facing the heat source. Insert the temperature probe into the thickest part.
- Spritzing brisket, mix the vinegar and Worchester sauce with water and spray every 30 minutes. After 2 hours, turn your brisket fat cap up and wrap the bottom with the fat still exposed.
- Remove from heat once the internal temperature is 204°F. Rest the brisket & cut up into pieces.
Step 3: Making The Cheese Sauce
- Heat 2 tbsp of butter in a saucepan, when bubbly and melted add 2 tbsp of flour and stir until combined. Whisk in 1 cup of milk and bring to a simmer. Slowly mix in 8 oz of smoked cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
Step 4: Heating The Brisket Loaded Nachos
- Create a base of torilla chips, then load up with the brisket, cheese sauce, shredded cheese, beans and corn.
- Once we have loaded our nachos we need to warm them through enough to crisp and melt the cheese.
- Put the nachos in an oven at 200°F for around 15 mins or until you can see the brisket fat rendering and the corn chips darkening in color.
- Put on the sour cream, green onion & cilantro after it’s been in the oven.
- Remove from the oven and add the chopped fresh ingredients as mentioned above.
Have More Leftover Brisket?
See how other ways to use your leftover brisket
Leftovers Cottage Pie Recipe (Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Beef Brisket)
What to Serve With Brisket Nachos?
Wondering what to serve with your nachos?
Nachos can be a heavy meal so go for something light like;
Loaded Brisket Nachos
Equipment
- 1 Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded beef brisket
- 1 bag tortilla chips OR 2 cups tortilla chips per person
- 2 cup vegetable oil Use this if you decide to make your own tortilla chips
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese I use a 4-cheese Mexican blend
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 flour flour
- 4 stalks Sliced green onions
- 1 whole Avocado slice it
- 1 can Mexican bean mixture of your choice
- 1 cup jalapeno slices
- 1/3 cup Chopped fresh cilantro
- 3/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- If your using a smoker heat it too 350°F if your using the oven preheat it to 350°F
Making The Tortilla Chips
- You can use store brough chips or make your own.
- To make your own, cut corn tortilla shells into quarters and fry in small batches until slightly browned.
- Place tortilla chips on a rack to dry and coat lightly with sea salt.
Making The Cheese Sauce
- Heat 2 tbsp of butter in a saucepan, when bubbly and melted add 2 tbsp of flour and stir until combined.
- Whisk in 1 cup of milk and bring to a simmer.
- Slowly mix in 8 oz of smoked cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
Loading the Nachos
- Whether your using a cast iron skillet or sheet pan cover with aluminum foil. Then start with a layer of corn tortilla chips, then top with shredded brisket, cheese, green pepper, red onion, and beans.Then do another layer of tortilla chips, and repeat with the shredded brisket, cheese,, green pepper, red onion, and beans.
Heating Brisket Loaded Nachos
- Put the loaded brisket nachos into the smoker or oven at 350°F for 5 minutes, then check if the cheese has melted. If it has'nt return to the smoker or oven for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven or smoker and add the chopped fresh cilantro and sour cream.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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