This delicious Irish Nachos recipe layered with potato chips, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, corned beef, homemade beer cheese sauce, and Thousand Island dressing will have you river dancing with joy!
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a showstopper: the ultimate Irish Nachos! If you’re looking to learn more about the origins of St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to explore its history.
Despite the Irish label, these nachos aren’t really an Irish dish. First tasted in a Colorado Irish Pub, they’ve journeyed into our hearts and kitchens, embodying a fusion of traditions and tastes, much like traditional nachos.
This recipe is a fantastic mix of different textures and delicious flavors—crunchy chips and melty cheese, with a tasty beer cheese sauce, sauerkraut, corned beef, and Thousand Island dressing, for a tasty delight in every bite. Not a fan of sauerkraut? No worries, skip it and bask in the nachos’ remaining delightful harmony.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
- Irish nachos are a flavor explosion, combining crispy potatoes, savory toppings, and gooey cheese that satisfies my palate.
- They’re easy to make, with this recipe’s simplicity and minimal ingredients, making it my go-to dish for a quick, crowd-pleasing snack.
- Irish nachos provide hearty comfort and warmth, making them perfect for cozy nights or gatherings with friends.
Recipe Ingredients
- Kettle Cooked Potato Chips: They provide a crunchy base, giving a satisfying texture that contrasts the soft toppings.
- Shredded Swiss Cheese: It melts into a creamy layer, binding the ingredients, and offering a mild, nutty flavor that enriches the overall taste, just like in my Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu.
- Sauerkraut: Adds a tangy zest, enhancing the depth and complexity of flavors. It also balances the richness of the cheese and meat, vital for a refreshing contrast.
- Chopped Corned Beef: It infuses a savory, hearty element, elevating the nachos with its traditional Irish flavor, crucial for the dish’s character and fullness.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- For the Potato Chips: Try making Irish Nachos in different ways for a fun twist! Change it up with sweet potato chips, regular fries, or sweet potato fries as alternatives for a sweet and hearty base.
- Cheese Variety: Enhance the flavor by mixing in different cheeses like gouda or havarti with Swiss cheese.
- Vegetarian Irish Nachos: Switch the corned beef with this Vegan Corned Beef.
How to Make Irish Nachos
Step #1: To make these corned beef nachos, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
Step #2: Evenly spread out the potato chips on a large, rimmed baking sheet.
Step #3: Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the potato chips.
Step #4: Layer the sauerkraut on top of the Swiss cheese.
Step #5: Assemble the ingredients for the Guinness beer cheese sauce that is used in this recipe for Irish Nachos.
Step #6: Start making the beer cheese sauce by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour continuously for about 1 minute.
Step #7: Slowly add in the milk while whisking constantly.
Step #8: Whisk in the Guinness beer, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and salt. Keep whisking until it comes to a slow boil and then continue whisking until thickened.
Step #9: Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the grated cheddar cheese ½ cup at a time, whisking after each addition.
Step #10: Top the sauerkraut with the beer cheese sauce, and add the chopped corned beef on top of the nachos.
Step #11: Bake for 6-8 minutes until the Swiss cheese is melted. Do not overbake where the chips start turning brown.
Step #12: Drizzle a thin line of Thousand Island dressing back and forth over the nachos. You can use a zip top bag with a small hole cut out of the corner to do this.
Step #13: Sprinkle the green onion slices over the top. Make sure to serve it while it’s still warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Irish Nachos are special because they offer a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, combining crispy potato chips with savory toppings like cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut.
Absolutely! You can easily customize Irish Nachos to suit vegetarian preferences by replacing the corned beef with Vegan Corned Beef.
You can enjoy nachos on various occasions as they are versatile. They’re great for game nights, casual get-togethers, movie nights, and of course, as a delicious St. Patrick’s Day treat.
Not at all! Making Irish Nachos at home is simple and enjoyable. And if you’re a fan of nachos, be sure to explore our Beefy Nacho Casserole recipe for another delicious twist on this classic snack.
Storage Info
To store leftover Irish Nachos, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. When reheating, use an oven or toaster oven and heat them at a moderate temperature until they are warm throughout.
Irish Nachos Recipe
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Ingredients
Nachos
- 7 cups of Kettle cooked potato chips - One 8.5 oz. bag of original or sea salt, do not use a flavored variety
- 1 ½ cups of shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 cup of sauerkraut
- 1 ½ cups of corned beef - chopped
- ½ cup Thousand Island dressing
- ¼ cup of green onion - sliced
Beer Cheese Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup Guinness beer
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese - grated
Instructions
- To make these corned beef nachos, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
- Evenly spread out the potato chips on a large, rimmed baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the potato chips.
- Layer the sauerkraut on top of the Swiss cheese.
- Assemble the ingredients for the Guinness beer cheese sauce that is used in this recipe for Irish Nachos.
- Start making the beer cheese sauce by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour continuously for about 1 minute.
- Slowly add in the milk while whisking constantly.
- Whisk in the Guinness beer, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and salt. Keep whisking until it comes to a slow boil and then continue whisking until thickened.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the grated cheddar cheese ½ cup at a time, whisking after each addition.
- Top the sauerkraut with the beer cheese sauce, and add the chopped corned beef on top of the nachos.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes until the Swiss cheese is melted. Do not overbake where the chips start turning brown.
- Drizzle a thin line of Thousand Island dressing back and forth over the nachos. You can use a zip top bag with a small hole cut out of the corner to do this.
- Sprinkle the green onion slices over the top. Make sure to serve it while it's still warm.
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NOTES
Nutrition
