Nacho Bar

This delicious meal is always a crowd favorite. We have served this for birthday parties, family dinner, New Years Eve Party, super bowl party and more!

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests by setting up buffet style. This is a win all around and an easy dinner during the week. Another crowd pleasing food bars idea is to serve Build Your Own Pasta Bar, Walking Tacos or Build Your Own Pizzas.

Why This Recipe Works

If you are looking for a super easy meal that can feed a crowd without much work, this nacho bar is the way to go. The slow cooker does all the work making this so easy. It is my kids favorite meal when they have friends over.

Plus, the toppings bar allows everyone to get exactly what they want. You may want to serve this Nacho Bar with a few Main Dishes such as Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Enchiladas or Crockpot Chicken Tacos Recipe and for dessert make Sopapillas Recipe, Snowball Cookies or Cinnamon Chips.

Build-Your-Own-Nachos Bar Ingredients

• Lean Ground Beef – You can also use ground turkey or a mixture of both
• Taco Seasoning – I like to use homemade taco seasoning
• Salsa – You might like this Homemade Salsa Recipe
• Ripe Avocados – You will want them to be soft to the touch
• Lime, juiced – If you are out check out, Best Substitute for Lime Juice
• Garlic Salt – See The Best Garlic Salt Substitute if you are out.
• Tortilla Chips – Try making Homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Recipe

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Recipe Variations

• Change the Meat – Use shredded chicken or pulled pork instead of ground beef. You can also mix ground beef and ground turkey together.
• Cheese Dip – We like making this White Cheese Dip in addition to the queso dip. It is delicious and easy to make. You may also love this Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe.
• Refried Beans – Black beans are a great option, but refried beans are delicious on nachos.

How to Set up a Nacho Bar

Setting up a Nacho Bar is always a crowd favorite.

• Plan what toppings that you are going to serve.
• Place your cheese and meats in crock pots so they keep warm.
• Set out bowls of different types of chips.
• Place your toppings in individual bowls so everyone can build their own nachos or nacho salad.
• Have bowls, plates and utensils available.

How to Make Beef for Nachos

• Step 1 – Place the ground meat (raw) in a 5-6 quart crock pot. You can also cook ground beef in a pan.

• Step 2 – Pour the salsa on top and sprinkle with the taco seasoning mix. 

• Step 3 – Cover and cook on high for 3 -4 hours until no longer pink. Use a spoon to break up the taco meat and serve.

Easy to Make Nacho Cheese

• Step 1 – Cube the Velveeta cheese and place in a 3-5 quart crock pot.

• Step 2 – Pour Rotel on top.

• Step 3 – Place the lid on top and cook on low for 2 hours or high for 1 hour until cheese is melted (stirring occasionally).

How to Make Guacamole

• Step 1 – Cut the avocados in half, remove the pit.
• Step 2 – Place avocados in a mixing bowl. With a fork or potato masher begin to gently mash them up.

• Step 3 – Add the salsa by the heaping spoonful’s. Stir and slowly add more to your liking. I would say you need about a ¼ cup.

• Step 4 – Once it is to the consistency you like, squeeze the lime all over the avocados (this helps prevent them from browning so quickly).

• Step 5 – Sprinkle in garlic salt. Taste it and then add more garlic salt as needed. The salt makes a BIG difference in good guacamole.

If it is tasting bland then you need more garlic salt. See Easy Guacamole Recipe with Salsa for more tips.

More Nacho Instructions 

• Place all the other ingredients in individual bowls.
• Then place the crock pots, guacamole and ingredients on a serving table so everyone can make their own nachos.
• Top the chips with melted cheese and the remaining toppings.

Nacho Toppings Ideas

• Queso
• Sour Cream
• Onion
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Tomato
• Quick Salsa Verde De Tomatillo Recipe
• Very Simple Guacamole Recipe
• The best pico de gallo recipe
• Fresh Lime Juice
• Fresh Cilantro
• Black Bean Corn Salsa
• Jalapenos Peppers
• Pinto Beans

Those are some of our favorite nacho bar ideas and always a huge hit.