If you're looking for delicious ideas to use up Christmas leftovers, this easy nachos is the perfect idea. Grab the last of the roast meat and shred it across a layer of crunchy corn chips with your favourite toppings.

What you need to know before you start

The key protein in this recipe is leftover meat, so be sure to save this dish for after a Sunday roast, weekend barbecue or a post-Christmas feed. With little hands-on cooking required, the nachos come together in less than 30 minutes.

You will require basic kitchen equipment, such as a baking tray, a grater for the cheese, a knife for preparing the fresh toppings and access to an oven. 

Why is this the best leftover nachos recipe?

Tasty, easy and a great way to use up leftovers, this versatile and customisable dish is the perfect go-to for no-fuss cooking. Ideal for feeding a group of 6 as a share plate, serve it up for movie nights, a recovery lunch after a big weekend or when friends drop by.

We use leftover turkey for this recipe, but feel free to use shredded pork or beef. You can also make your own changes like swapping sour cream for yoghurt, using your favourite hard cheese that melts well, such as cheddar or a luscious queso fundido, or opting for fresh chilli instead of pickled jalapenos. Use this recipe as a base and build it to your taste. 

What is the secret to making good nachos?

Deeply rooted in Mexican and Tex-Mex culture, traditional nachos are made with corn chips, cheese and jalapenos. Often served as a snack food or transformed into a larger main meal, the secret to making a good plate of nachos is all in the ingredients.

The combination of crunchy, salty corn chips with gooey melted cheese and rich meat, finished with a refreshing homemade tomato salsa, mashed avocado, sour cream and bright pickled jalapeno all make for a dish to remember. 

Can you make nachos in an air fryer?

It’s completely possible to make these easy nachos in the air fryer. You can use either a dish that fits in your air fryer, or simply line the air fryer basket with baking paper. Be sure the paper comes up higher on the sides, so you can easily lift the nachos out. 

The basket of an air fryer will most likely be smaller compared to a regular oven baking tray, so be sure to layer the corn chips, cheese, meat and beans in alternating layers, finishing with the cheese on top. 

What ingredients you’ll need

Corn chips: Corn chips form the base of the dish, providing a crunchy texture and a solid foundation to hold the toppings.

Leftover meat: We used shredded turkey, but you can also use roast pork or beef to add a rich, savoury flavour to the dish.

Black beans:  A staple in Tex-Mex cuisine, canned beans add a creamy, slightly earthy flavour while balancing the richness of the turkey. 

Pizza cheese: Typically a mix of mozzarella and cheddar, pizza cheese melts beautifully over the corn chips while giving the dish its signature ‘pull’ and holding everything together.

Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes are used as the base of the salsa for a burst of freshness. 

Red onion: Used in the salsa, red onion adds a sharp, slightly sweet bite that cuts through the richness of the turkey and cheese.

Coriander: Coriander adds a vibrant herbaceousness to the salsa. The leaves are also used to garnish the finished dish for a pop of visual interest. 

Pickled jalapenos: Tangy pickled jalapenos add a hint of heat to contrast the richness of the cheese and turkey. 

Lime: Lime juice adds a fresh burst of flavour to lighten the dish. 

Avocado: Creamy mashed avocado adds a smooth texture and a mild richness that balances out the heat from the jalapenos and complements the savoury flavours. 

Sour cream: Sour cream offers a cooling, tangy contrast to the spiciness of the jalapenos and the richness of the turkey.

What is the best order of layers for nachos?

Traditional nachos begin with a layer of corn chips and a sprinkling of cheese and jalapenos before being cooked in the oven. If adding a tomato-based sauce with minced meat and beans, this sauce would go on before adding the cheese.

In our lighter version, start with the corn chips, followed by the meat, beans and cheese. Once melted and oozing, finish with the fresh salsa and dollops of mashed avocado and sour cream to achieve the perfect balance of crispiness, cheesiness and freshness.  

How to store Christmas leftover nachos

Nachos don’t store well, so if you can, finish it in one sitting. You can, however, keep any leftover avocado and fresh salsa in airtight containers in the fridge and consume within 2-3 days. Keep corn chips, sealed in a bag or in an airtight container, in a cool and dry place. 

What to serve with Christmas leftover nachos

Once your nachos are fresh out of the oven, spoon over that fresh homemade tomato salsa, mashed avocado, sour cream, extra pickled jalapenos and fresh herbs. If you have them, slice up a few limes so guests can help themselves to squeeze some zesty juice over.

Nachos are a great accompaniment to a larger Mexican-inspired feast. Feel free to eat them on their own, or serve alongside ceviche and fajitas, and finish with a caramel flan. 

Drink pairings for Christmas leftover nachos

Choose something light, refreshing and crisp to pair with these cheesy nachos. Our top picks include a hoppy pale ale to cut through the saltiness of the corn chips, a citrusy margarita or a cooling minty frozen mojito. 

If you love our Christmas leftover nachos recipe, try this 

Still getting through your Christmas leftovers? Put them to good use and try these delicious recipes that breathe new life into whatever's left in your fridge:

• Pea and ham croquettes with fiery aioli
• Quick turkey stir-fry 
• Ham reuben sandwiches