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Flavorful Sheet Pan Nachos with Carne Asada

sheet pan nachos with carne asada - featured image

These sheet pan nachos feature smoky carne asada, melty cheese, and tangy pickled red onions for a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing party snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound flank steak or skirt steak (trimmed of excess fat)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • 1 large bag sturdy tortilla chips (preferably thick-cut)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or cheddar-monterey jack blend)
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add flank steak and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  2. While steak marinates, combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat gently until sugar and salt dissolve. Pour over thinly sliced red onions in a jar or bowl. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving.
  3. Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade and cook 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare or to preferred doneness. Let steak rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
  4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread an even layer of tortilla chips on a rimmed 18×13-inch sheet pan. Scatter black beans (if using) and half the shredded cheese over chips. Add sliced carne asada evenly, then top with remaining cheese and sliced jalapeños.
  5. Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch carefully to avoid burning chips.
  6. Remove from oven and immediately top with diced avocado, pickled red onions, and dollops of sour cream or crema. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

Use thick, sturdy tortilla chips to avoid sogginess. Marinate steak at least 20 minutes for flavor. Slice steak after resting to keep it juicy. Pickled onions can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Add fresh toppings like avocado and sour cream after baking to keep chips crisp. For dairy-free, substitute vegan cheese and sour cream. Avoid overcrowding chips to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet pan nachos, carne asada, party snacks, easy nachos, pickled red onions, quick recipe, crowd-pleaser