By Becky Hardin
Published Aug 2, 2023
Serve up the most delicious Pulled Pork Nachos for game day, parties, or any occasion that calls for an easy and flavor-packed appetizer. Cook up juicy, tender pork in an Instant Pot, then layer it onto tortilla chips and load them up with cheese and toppings. Bake until hot and crispy, then dig in!
What’s in this Pulled Pork Nachos Recipe?
Irresistibly sweet and savory instant pot pork carnitas is layered with tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, and your favorite toppings to create a crave-able Southwestern twist on classic nachos .
- Pork Shoulder: An inexpensive, relatively tough cut of pork that is perfect for slow-roasting. You can also use pork butt/Boston butt.
- Spices : Oregano, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper give this pork plenty of Mexican flavor.
- Onion : Adds an earthy, slightly sweet flavor.
- Serrano Peppers: Slightly hotter than jalapeños, these earthy, grassy-tasting peppers are the perfect way to give these pulled pork nachos a kick!
- Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor and pungent aroma.
- Citrus: Oranges and limes add a bit of acid to balance the heat and tenderize the meat.
- Coca-Cola : Adds a touch of sweetness and caramelization to deepen the flavor of the meat.
- Tortilla Chips : The perfect crunchy base for nachos. Both corn and flour tortilla chips work well.
- Cheddar Cheese: This sharp yet buttery cheese is the perfect complement to the sweet-and-savory pork.
- Green Onions: Add a pop of freshness and color.
- Toppings: Sliced jalapeño, cilantro leaves, sour cream, salsa , avocado, or chopped tomatoes are all great toppings to add to your nachos.
Pro Tip: You can save time by using store-bought or leftover pulled pork or carnitas !
Variations on Pork Nachos
These pulled pork nachos are so delicious as is, but you can use other types of pork too! You can cook the pork in BBQ sauce and layer it with caramelized onions , coleslaw , or crumbled bacon . For a Hawaiian twist, you can use Kalua pork and Swiss cheese, and add pineapple chunks to the layers!
Anything you can dream of! We used carnitas to give this pulled pork a more Mexican flair, so classic toppings like sour cream, guacamole , or pico de gallo are great choices!
Absolutely! Cheddar is a great, classic choice of cheese. But you can also use Monterey jack, mozzarella, or Swiss!
Classic tortilla chips are the perfect choice for this recipe. However, you could also try my homemade wonton chips for a different flavor.
For ultra-crispy nachos, make sure to start with a layer of tortilla chips that completely covers the baking sheet. This will help prevent the toppings from seeping through the chips, causing them to turn soggy.
To keep your nachos nice and crisp, I recommend baking the chip layer in the oven for just a few minutes to zap out any moisture. Baking the carnitas also helps to remove excess moisture, which helps keep the chips extra crispy!
Absolutely! Making pulled pork in the Instant Pot is super quick, which is why it’s my preferred method. But you can also make Crockpot pulled pork , or any method you love.
How to Store and Reheat
While I highly recommend enjoying pulled pork nachos fresh out of the oven, they will keep well for about 1 day in the refrigerator before becoming too soggy. Gently reheat in a 350°F oven until the cheese has melted and the meat is warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
These tasty pork nachos are the perfect appetizer for your Cinco de Mayo feast . Serve them alongside chicken quesadillas , steak fajitas , chicken tacos , homemade crunchwraps , or birria tacos . Sip on a refreshing margarita and get the party started!
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Pulled Pork
- ▢ 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder cut into large chunks
- ▢ 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ▢ 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ▢ 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ▢ 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 1 onion cut into wedges
- ▢ 3 serrano peppers cut in half and seeds removed
- ▢ 1 head garlic outer skin intact and cut in half
- ▢ 2 oranges juiced
- ▢ 2 limes juiced
- ▢ 1½ cups Coca-Cola
For the Nachos
- ▢ 8 ounces tortilla chips
- ▢ 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- ▢ 2 green onions sliced
- ▢ Optional Toppings: sliced jalapeño, cilantro leaves, sour cream, salsa, avocado, chopped tomatoes
Video
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the oregano, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Sprinkle all sides of the meat with the mixture and place in the instant pot. 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- Place the onion and chilis in the instant pot. Then place the garlic, cut side down, on the meat. 1 onion, 1 head garlic, 3 serrano peppers
- Pour the orange juice, lime juice, and coke over the meat. 2 oranges, 2 limes, 1½ cups Coca-Cola
- Seal the instant pot and set the meat cycle for 90 minutes.
- When the time has finished, let it slow release.
- Open and place the meat on a cutting board or plate. Remove any pieces of fat and using two forks pull the meat apart.
- Set the broiler to 500°F and cover a baking sheet in aluminum foil.
- Place meat on the baking sheet. Spoon some of the broth over the meat. Place under the broiler till crispy, about 5 minutes. Stir the meat and crisp again.
- Lower the oven to 375°F. Grab another baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.
- Arrange half the chips on the sheet pan. Top with half the pulled pork and half the cheese. 8 ounces tortilla chips, 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- Layer on the remaining chips, pork, and cheese. Top with the green onions. 2 green onions
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted. Garnish and serve! Optional Toppings:
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- 2 Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- You can save time by using store-bought or leftover pulled pork or carnitas !
- For the best melty cheese, don’t use pre-shredded. Shred it at home from blocks.
- Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Nacho Recipes We Love
- Foil Packet Nachos
- Grilled Chicken Nachos
- Street Corn Nachos
- Philly Cheesesteak Nachos
- Chicken Nachos
- Steak Fajita Nachos
- Beef Sheet Pan Nachos
Pulled Pork Nachos Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- 2 Baking Sheet
Ingredients
For the Pulled Pork
- 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder cut into large chunks
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 onion cut into wedges
- 3 serrano peppers cut in half and seeds removed
- 1 head garlic outer skin intact and cut in half
- 2 oranges juiced
- 2 limes juiced
- 1½ cups Coca-Cola
For the Nachos
- 8 ounces tortilla chips
- 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions sliced
- Optional Toppings: sliced jalapeño, cilantro leaves, sour cream, salsa, avocado, chopped tomatoes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the oregano, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Sprinkle all sides of the meat with the mixture and place in the instant pot. 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- Place the onion and chilis in the instant pot. Then place the garlic, cut side down, on the meat. 1 onion, 1 head garlic, 3 serrano peppers
- Pour the orange juice, lime juice, and coke over the meat. 2 oranges, 2 limes, 1½ cups Coca-Cola
- Seal the instant pot and set the meat cycle for 90 minutes.
- When the time has finished, let it slow release.
- Open and place the meat on a cutting board or plate. Remove any pieces of fat and using two forks pull the meat apart.
- Set the broiler to 500°F and cover a baking sheet in aluminum foil.
- Place meat on the baking sheet. Spoon some of the broth over the meat. Place under the broiler till crispy, about 5 minutes. Stir the meat and crisp again.
- Lower the oven to 375°F. Grab another baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.
- Arrange half the chips on the sheet pan. Top with half the pulled pork and half the cheese. 8 ounces tortilla chips, 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- Layer on the remaining chips, pork, and cheese. Top with the green onions. 2 green onions
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted. Garnish and serve! Optional Toppings:
Video
Notes
- You can save time by using store-bought or leftover pulled pork or carnitas !
- For the best melty cheese, don’t use pre-shredded. Shred it at home from blocks.
- Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
