BBQ Irish Nachos combines big smoky BBQ flavors with comforting bar food; stacking pulled pork, baked beans and more on a bed of crisp waffle fries!
This is a very easy appetizer to enjoy at home because each item is cooked separately and then piled together and served. It can be ready to go in 30 minutes or less and great to enjoy at any party, or as part of a game day spread.
What are they?
Well, certainly not anything authentically Irish. Irish Nachos refer to nachos featuring waffle fries in lieu of tortilla chips, and they are often found on Irish-American bar's appetizer menus. BBQ joints take this a step further by loading them up with BBQ classics.
Regardless of authenticity, they certainly make great comfort food! Piled with pulled pork, BBQ beans, cheese, and more; these nachos are a meal in itself!
Pulled pork for Nachos
You have a few options for the pulled pork. A lot of grocery stores will sell it already cooked and ready to eat. That is the easiest option. However, it is cheaper (and more delicious) if you make your own. I have two recipes for this, depending on your motivation level:
Choose wisely my hungry friend.
Other toppings
- Baked beans - This recipe calls for canned beans, but homemade baked beans or even grilled baked beans would be a flavor upgrade.
- Shredded cheddar cheese - I recommend an easy melting cheese like mild cheddar, but pepper Jack would also be a good option.
- Nacho style pickled jalapeno slices - These are found jarred in the Latino food aisle.
- Lettuce - Simple shredded iceberg lettuce is perfect.
- Sour cream - Greek yogurt is a healthy substitution if you don't have sour cream on hand.
- BBQ Sauce - Use your favorite brand or homemade recipe.
How to Make them
I typically bake my waffle fries, but if you want them to taste like authentic bar food, you may want to invest in a home deep fryer. When deep frying I'll typically use a cast iron pan on the stove, but some things, such as waffle fries, just work better in a dedicated deep fryer.
The beans and pork should be heated while the fries are cooking. Then when the fries are done, everything can be piled up and served. I recommend topping with beans first to allow any sauce to drip among the fries, then pork, cheese, vegetables, sour cream, and BBQ sauce.
Tips and Tricks
- Although not called for in the recipe, a generous dash of hot sauce would really wake up this appetizer.
- You can substitute traditional French fries instead if you wish.
- For more crunch, add fresh chopped white onion as well, or green onions for a fresher flavor.
- You can use nacho cheese sauce instead of shredded cheese if you like a creamier cheese clinging to each bite.
- Turn these into easy BBQ nachos by replacing the waffle fries with hearty tortilla chips.
Nacho FAQs
The moisture in your toppings will soak into your chips or fries as they sit waiting to be eaten. This is why the chips on the bottom are typically soggier than the ones on top.
A melted queso or nacho cheese sauce is best because the creamy sauce-like texture can ensure cheese clings to each bite. If choosing to go with a shredded cheese, I recommend an easy melting variety like mild Cheddar.
More Bar Appetizers
BBQ Irish Nachos
Ingredients
- 22 oz bag waffle fries
- 15 oz can baked beans
- 1 cup pulled pork
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup nacho style jalapeno slices pickled
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ½ cup BBQ Sauce (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare waffle fries according to package instructions.
- While waffle fries cook, heat up beans and pulled pork separately.
- Add cooked fries to a large serving platter and top with beans, pulled pork, cheese, jalapenos, and plenty of BBQ sauce. Add lettuce and sour cream on top.
- Serve immediately.
Rachel
I love subbing waffle fries for tortilla chips in nachos. And I love pulled pork nachos!