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!

partial overhead view of pulled pork nachos on a baking sheet topped with sour cream, jalapenos, tomatoes, and cilantro.

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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!

step by step photos for how to make pulled pork nachos.
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What toppings are good on pulled pork?

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!

Can you put cheese on pulled pork?

Absolutely! Cheddar is a great, classic choice of cheese. But you can also use Monterey jack, mozzarella, or Swiss!

What chips go with pulled pork?

Classic tortilla chips are the perfect choice for this recipe. However, you could also try my homemade wonton chips for a different flavor.

What is the secret to crispy nachos?

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.

How do you keep nachos from turning out 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!

Can I used another method to make the pulled pork for these nachos?

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.

close up view of pulled pork nachos topped with cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream.

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 quesadillassteak fajitaschicken tacoshomemade crunchwraps, or birria tacos. Sip on a refreshing margarita and get the party started!

overhead view of a serving of pulled pork nachos on a white plate topped with jalapenos, tomatoes, sour cream, and cilantro.
Recipe Card

Pulled Pork Nachos Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Becky Hardin
featured pulled pork nachos.
Pulled pork, tortilla chips, cheese, and your toppings of choice are layered together and baked to make flavor-packed nachos!
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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
  • cups Coca-Cola

For the Nachos

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
    overhead view of 6 chunks of spice-rubbed pork shoulder in an instant pot.
  • 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
    onion chunks, serrano peppers, and a head of garlic on top of seasoned pork shoulder chunks in an instant pot.
  • 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.
    shredded pork carnitas on a cutting board.
  • 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.
    broiled pulled pork carnitas on a foil-lined baking sheet.
  • 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
    pork layered over tortilla chips, cheese, pork, and more tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
  • Layer on the remaining chips, pork, and cheese. Top with the green onions.
    2 green onions
    pulled pork nachos on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted. Garnish and serve!
    Optional Toppings:
    baked pulled pork nachos on a baking sheet.

Video

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.
Storage: Store pulled pork nachos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
Calories: 966kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 103gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 283mgSodium: 1502mgPotassium: 1770mgFiber: 5gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1163IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 533mgIron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

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Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)
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