As we continue our Gameday Series of recipes, today we have another favorite recipe for this time of year (or any time for that matter), Tin Can Nachos.

First things first, this recipe, or recipes rather, will seem intimidating. As someone who has been cooking professionally for nearly 20 years, this recipe has a lot of moving parts even for me. Take as much off your plate (figuratively not literally!) as you want to or need to. Tin Can Nachos are a fun way to experience your favorite game day snack. Do don’t let it stress you out.

Ingredients for Tin Can Nachos:

Pickled Jalapenos:

  • 5 Each Jalapeno
  • ¾ C. Water
  • ¾ C. White Vinegar
  • 3 tsp. Minced Garlic
  • 3 tbsp. Sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp. Salt

Queso:

  • 12 oz. Evaporated Milk
  • 2 lbs. Velveeta Cheese (or Equivalent)
  • 7 oz. Can Green Chiles (Diced)
  • 1 tsp. Cumin
  • ½ tsp. Chili Powder
  • ½ tsp. Paprika
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 1 tsp. Tabasco
  • ½ tsp. Black pepper
  • ¼ C. Pickled jalapenos (finely chopped)

Seasoned Black Beans:

  • 1 15.25 oz. Can Black Beans
  • 1 tsp. Cumin
  • 1 tsp. Paprika
  • 1 ½ Granulated Garlic

Pico De Gallo:

  • 5 Each Roma Tomatoes
  • ½ Each Red Onion
  • 1 Each Jalapeno
  • 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp. Cilantro
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 1 tsp. Black Pepper
  • 2 tbsp. Fresh Lime Juice

Seasoned Ground Beef

  • 1 lb. Ground Beef
  • ¼ tsp. Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp. Cumin
  • 1 tsp. Chili Powder
  • ½ tsp. Paprika
  • ½ tsp. Oregano
  • 1 tbsp. Tomato Paste
  • 5 tbsp. Water
  • ½ tsp. Tabasco
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

Chips/Toppings

  • 1 Bag Tortilla Chips
  • 8 oz. Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
  • 1 Bunch Cilantro
  • 6 Each Green Onion (Sliced)
  • 1 Jar Crema Mexicana (Can Also Use Sour Cream)

 

Method for Tin Can Nachos:

  1. Slice 5 jalapenos and place in glass jar. A bowl works here too, but you will have pickled jalapenos left over so best to put them in something that stores nicely in your refrigerator.
  2. Add water, vinegar, garlic, salt, and sugar to small sauce pot and bring to a boil. Pour directly over the jalapenos, cover, and place in refrigerator for later.
  3. Combine all the ingredients for queso in a thick bottom sauce pot and heat over very low heat until the cheese is melted, and a smooth cheese sauce is achieved.
  4. Add the black beans and seasoning to a microwave safe bowl and set aside.
  5. Finely dice the tomato, jalapeno, and red onion for the Pico. Add the olive oil, salt, pepper, and lime juice and stir to combine.
  6. Cut the cilantro into thin strips or finely chop and add to tomato mixture.
  7. For the beef, combine baking soda and 1 tbsp. of water in a bowl and mix into the ground beef. Mix thoroughly to combine.
  8. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef mixture and flatten to the surface area of the entire bottom of your pan.
  9. Cook for 1 minute to develop a nice sear on the beef. Add the remaining ingredients and cook, stirring nearly constantly to break up lumps of beef for 4 minutes or until the beef reaches 165° and you’ve achieved a thick sauce.
  10. Remove the top and bottom from a #10 can and place on a large plate. Heat black beans in the microwave in 1-minute intervals until hot.
  11. Starting with chips, layer on queso, ground beef, shredded cheese, beans, pickled jalapenos, Pico, green onions, crema, and then cilantro.

Repeat step 11 several times. The picture above has 3 layers, but feel free to do as many as you like. Just remember, the taller you make them, the more likely they are to fall over, but they do look cooler when they’re taller.

Nachos looking from top downRecipe Notes

For the queso, be sure to take your time! The lower the heat the better. Keep stirring the sauce regularly as well. The queso is easy to burn, and if it does burn, you will taste it on EVERY chip.

These pickled jalapenos are great in many other recipes too. Anywhere I would use a regular jalapeno, I have been known to use a pickled one instead.

You can find a bunch of different items in #10 cans at your local retail warehouse club or GFS store.

close up of the tin can nachos

Breaking down this Monstrosity

Please, feel free to buy Pico, buy seasoned ground beef, buy pre-seasoned black beans, or queso, or any part of this recipe you wish. I believe a homemade product is normally going to be better than a store bought one, but making everything from the recipe above is a tall task to be sure.