For those following a ketogenic, Atkins, or even carnivore diet, finding satisfying and compliant snack options can sometimes be a challenge. If you're craving the satisfying crunch and flavor of nachos but want to avoid the carbs that come with traditional tortilla chips, look no further than keto nachos with pork rinds. This innovative twist on a classic dish swaps out carb-heavy chips for crispy, airy pork rinds, significantly reducing the carbohydrate content while delivering a satisfyingly savory experience.
Why Pork Rinds? The Low-Carb Advantage
The primary reason for using pork rinds instead of tortilla chips is simple: carbohydrates. Pork rinds boast zero carbs, making them an ideal base for keto nachos. Made from pork fat layered just under the skin of a pig, these are cooked in hot oil, resulting in a crispy and puffy texture. By swapping pork rinds for chips, you can reduce carbs in your plate of nachos by 75%. Pork rinds are not ultra-processed foods.
What are Pork Rinds?
You can use plain pork rinds, regular pork rinds, pork cracklings or fried pork skins; you’ll find different variations of pork rinds when shopping. Different names but all the same. The only suggestion is to take a closer look and try to avoid artificial flavors that include monosodium glutamate, it’s notorious for causing headaches.
Assembling Your Keto Nachos
The Base: Pork Rinds
The foundation of any good plate of nachos is the chips. In this case, that role is expertly filled by pork rinds. You can use plain, regular, or flavored pork rinds. When selecting your pork rinds, be mindful of the ingredients list and try to avoid artificial flavors, particularly monosodium glutamate, which can cause headaches in some individuals.
The Cheese Sauce: A Must-Have
No plate of nachos is complete without a generous drizzle of melted cheese sauce. For a keto-friendly version, you can easily make homemade Keto Nacho Cheese Sauce by combining cream cheese, heavy cream, shredded cheese, chopped jalapeño and lots of !Sabor! by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce! This Keto Nacho Cheese sauce is also amazing for anyone following a high-fat diet, gluten-free diet and high-protein diet as well!
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
The Meat: Flavor and Protein
Next comes the protein. Ground beef is a classic choice, but you can also use ground chicken, ground turkey, leftover pulled pork carnitas, or shredded beef. For a Tex-Mex twist, consider using keto barbecue sauce along with pulled pork. To cook ground beef, heat a large skillet to medium high heat and add the beef and onion. Break up the meat using a spoon and cook through until no longer pink and the onions are tender. Add all of the seasonings and combine until fully incorporated. Remove from heat and set aside.
The Toppings: Customize to Your Liking
This is where you can really get creative. Consider adding the following toppings:
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapeños
- Avocado
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- !Sabor! by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce
Keto Nacho Recipe Ideas
Classic Keto Nachos
- Pork rinds
- Cooked ground beef with taco seasoning
- Keto nacho cheese sauce
- Diced tomatoes
- Jalapeños
- Avocado
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- !Sabor! by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce
Smoked BBQ Pork Nachos
- Pork rinds
- Pulled pork carnitas or shredded beef
- Keto barbecue sauce
- Shredded cheese
Keto Chorizo Nachos
- Pork rinds
- Browned Hatfield Recipe Essential Chorizo meat
- Homemade queso sauce
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
Low Carb Tortilla Chips Nachos
You can go the classic chip route and make some tortilla chips in the oven using low carb tortillas or pull out your bag of pork rinds and use them as your bottom layer.
Keto Nachos Bar
Bake up a big batch of low carb tortilla chips and set up a keto nachos bar so everyone can customize their plate of keto nachos.
Recipe: Keto Nachos with Pork Rinds
Ingredients:
- 1 bag of pork rinds
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- !Sabor! by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Spread pork rinds on a baking sheet.
- Top with the cooked ground beef, shredded cheese, and jalapeños.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and top with diced tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, and cilantro.
- Drizzle with !Sabor! by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce to taste.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Keto Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced and lightly sautéed in ghee
- !Sabor! by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce, to taste
Instructions:
- In a skillet over medium heat, lightly sauté finely diced jalapeño peppers in ghee until soft.
- Add cream cheese & shredded cheese, stir while melting.
- Thin to your desired consistency with heavy cream and season with !Sabor!.
Low Carb Tortilla Chips Recipe
Ingredients:
- Low carb tortillas
- Coconut oil spray
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut your low carb tortillas up into triangles and place them onto the baking sheet so they aren’t touching one another.
- Spray them with coconut oil spray and bake for 5-7 minutes (watch them because they will burn quickly if left unattended).
- Turn the heat to broil for 1-2 minutes, while keeping an eye on them, for a crispy, browned tortilla chip.
- Best stored in a zip top bag on the counter.
Serving and Storage
Serve these keto nachos immediately to prevent the pork rinds from becoming soggy. While leftovers can be stored, it's not recommended to store the entire dish assembled, as the pork rinds will lose their crispness. You can store the meat mixture separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat it in the microwave.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
A Versatile Keto Delight
Keto nachos with pork rinds are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or even a main course. They're perfect for game-day gatherings, Taco Tuesday, or any occasion where you're craving a flavorful and satisfying low-carb meal.
Tips and Considerations
- Pork Rind Selection: Opt for large, puffy pork rinds for the best nacho experience. Avoid pork cracklings, as they are not the same.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of jalapeños and hot sauce to your preference.
- Meat Options: Feel free to experiment with different types of meat and seasonings.
- Topping Variations: Get creative with your toppings. Olives, guacamole, and other low-carb options can add even more flavor and texture.
- Sogginess: To minimize sogginess, serve the nachos immediately after baking.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto