Irish Nachos with Corned Beef

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Irish nachos are not like any other nachos you’ve tried before, as they are made with crispy and golden brown potato chips, topped with tender and juicy corned beef, melted cheese, and a variety of other toppings that will leave you craving for more
PREP:
15 minutes
TOTAL:
SERVES:
4
JUMP TO RECIPE

Get ready to indulge in a hearty and delicious pub-style snack that is perfect for any occasion – Irish Nachos!

Every St. Patrick’s day that comes around there’s a few things my wife requests a few things: Colcannon, Corned Beef, Shepherds Pie. And anything potatoes.

Years ago we visited our local Irish pub and first had our lives were changed forever.

Ok I’m being dramatic.

But, these these delicious potato slices covered with shredded cheddar cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions and drizzled with sour cream are amazing!

And what can make them even better? Corned Beef.

So lets dive into this loaded Irish nacho recipe. Literally, and figuratively..

Are Irish Nachos Really Irish?

Short answer: no.

Long-winded SEO-Friendly-make-you-want-to-click-back answer:

Deep breath in…

Irish Nachos are a relatively new addition to the Irish-American cuisine scene.

Irish Nachos were created in America, and the name “Irish Nachos” is simply a nod to the ingredients used in the dish.

The dish became popular in the early 2000s and quickly spread across pubs and bars throughout the United States. Many Irish pubs serve traditional dishes like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash.

However, Irish Nachos offer a unique twist on pub food by combining classic Irish ingredients with the beloved Tex-Mex dish.

Irish Nachos in the pub scene

The history of pub-style food dates back to the 19th century when public houses (get it? PUBlic houses?) started to serve food to customers.

Pubs were known for their relaxed atmosphere, and the addition of food made them even more popular. That’s probably why I love them so much. They’re just a vibe, as the kids would say.

Pubs offered simple, hearty, and affordable meals to patrons, and the tradition continues to this day. Irish Nachos, being a pub-style food, are the perfect snack to enjoy with a cold beer or a whiskey.

And hey – potato slices are enough to please your Irish wife, it doesn’t matter where they came from, right?

Irish nachos are made with crispy and golden brown potato chips, topped corned beef, melted cheese, that will leave you craving for more

Ingredients Used for Irish Nachos

Like any batch of nachos, toppings is what makes your nachos stand out. While these aren’t your typical nacho platter, here are some toppings I’ll be using in this recipe to get your tastebuds going:

  • Russet potatoes: Russet potatoes are the best choice for this recipe because of their high starch content, which makes them crispy when fried.
  • Corned beef: This is a must-have ingredient for this recipe. It’s tender, juicy, and adds a great flavor to the nachos.Don’t have corned beef on hand? Substitute with some bacon!
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese: You can use any type of shredded cheese you like, but cheddar cheese is the most commonly used cheese for Irish Nachos.
  • Sour cream: Sour cream is a classic topping for nachos and complements the other ingredients perfectly.
  • Green onions: Green onions add a fresh and flavorful element to the dish.
  • Jalapeno peppers: Jalapeno peppers add a spicy kick to the dish. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can skip this ingredient.

Equipment you’ll need

Typically, Irish nachos can be made in the oven. But if you want crispy fried potato slices, then on a skillet, or better yet – a flattop griddle is where you want to be cooking.

To make Irish potato Nachos, you will need the following equipment:

  • Flat top griddle: A flat top griddle is perfect for cooking the potatoes and corned beef simultaneously. If you’re in the market for a flattop griddle, you can’t go wrong with a blackstone. Although Weber, and Traeger just got into the flattop game, so you may want to give those a look too!
  • Mandoline slicer: A mandoline slicer will make slicing the potatoes easy and consistent. And if you want to get fancy and do waffle fries for your nachos, this is a must.
  • Griddle Accessory Kit: Specifically one that has a spatula, bottle, a steaming lid There are a few on amazon that are remarkably affordable.
  • Large bowl: A large bowl will be used to toss the cooked potatoes with salt and pepper.
  • Digital Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun: Taking a reading of your griddle is important to make sure its not getting to hot, especially with potatoes. We want them golden brown. Not scorched and black. A thermometer temperature gun is a must!
  • Baking sheet: A baking sheet will be used to place the cooked potatoes before adding the toppings. This can be swapped out with just placing them directly on a plate as well depending on how you’d like to serve them.
Irish nachos are made with crispy and golden brown potato chips, topped corned beef, melted cheese, that will leave you craving for more

Tips for Making Irish Nachos

Sure, I’d be happy to expand on the tips for making perfect Irish Nachos. Here they are, with some added conversational and humorous descriptions:

Use a mandoline slicer to slice the potatoes thinly and uniformly.

Using a mandoline slicer will ensure that all the potato slices are uniform in size, which is essential for even cooking. Plus, it’s much easier than trying to slice them all by hand.

Just be careful not to slice your fingers while using it! Go slow, and don’t get distracted.

Let’s just say I have some experience in this matter.. .

Soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which will help them become crispy.

This may seem like an unnecessary step, but trust us, it makes a big difference. Soaking the potatoes in cold water removes excess starch, which can make them gummy and prevent them from getting crispy. Plus, it gives you an excuse to sit back and relax for 30 minutes while the potatoes do their thing.

Dry the potatoes completely with a paper towel before frying them to prevent splattering.

Nobody likes hot oil splatters, so make sure to dry the potato slices thoroughly before frying them in olive oil. Otherwise, you’ll be dodging hot oil like you’re in an action movie.

Use leftover corned beef. Make some extra the day before if need be. Cook on the flat top griddle and let it get beautifully browned on both sides.

Corned beef is an all day cooking event. Which makes this the perfect leftover recipe.

Cooking the leftover corned beef on the flat top griddle gives it a delicious crispy crust that complements the potatoes perfectly. Just make sure to let it cool slightly before shredding it, unless you want to burn your fingers and ruin the dish.

Don’t overcrowd the flat top griddle with too many potatoes at once; this will prevent them from getting crispy.

If you try to cook too many potato slices at once, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy. Especially if you’re just piling them on the griddle.

Be patient and cook them in batches if necessary. Place each potato so that its well placed on the griddle. The surface area of the potato in direct contact with the griddle so that it browns evenly.

It’s better to have a few batches of crispy potatoes than one big batch of soggy ones.

Experiment with different toppings and variations to create your perfect batch of Irish Nachos.

The beauty of Irish Nachos is that you can make them your own. Don’t be afraid to try different toppings and variations to find your perfect batch. Get creative and have fun with it! Who knows, you might come up with a new favorite variation.

Irish nachos are made with crispy and golden brown potato chips, topped corned beef, melted cheese, that will leave you craving for more

And speaking of variations…

Variations

Irish Nachos are made with potato slices, cheese, and corned beef. But there are many variations! Switch things up and make it your own!

Here are some ideas :

  • Substitute Sweet Potatoes: Instead of using regular potato chips, try using sweet potato chips for a healthier twist. Top with caramelized onions, crumbled goat cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a delicious and unique flavor combination.
  • Go Vegetarian: Skip the meat and opt for vegetarian toppings like black beans, roasted red peppers, and sliced avocado. Top with cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for a fresh and flavorful dish.
  • Philly Cheesesteak: Add a Philly-inspired twist to your Irish Nachos by topping them with thinly sliced ribeye steak, sauteed onions and peppers, and melted provolone cheese.
  • Try it with Buffalo Chicken: For a spicy kick, top your Irish Nachos with shredded buffalo chicken, crumbled blue cheese, and sliced celery. Drizzle with ranch dressing for a cool and creamy finish.

Additional Toppings or Variations

While the classic Irish Nachos recipe is delicious on its own, you can also experiment with additional toppings or variations to create your own unique twist.

Here are some ideas:

  • Bacon: Add some crispy bacon bits to the top of your Irish Nachos for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Guacamole: Top your Irish Nachos with some homemade guacamole for a creamy and flavorful addition.
  • Salsa: Salsa adds a fresh and zesty flavor to Irish Nachos. You can use store-bought salsa or make your own.
  • Pulled Pork: Substitute the corned beef with some tender and juicy pulled pork for a different take on the classic recipe.
  • Beer Cheese Sauce: Instead of using regular melted cheese, create a delicious beer cheese sauce to pour over your Irish Nachos.
Irish nachos are made with crispy and golden brown potato chips, topped corned beef, melted cheese, that will leave you craving for more

Food and Drink Pairings

Irish Nachos are the perfect snack to enjoy with a cold beer or a whiskey. Here are some food and drink pairings to try:

  • Beer: A light and refreshing beer like a lager or pilsner pairs perfectly with Irish Nachos.
  • Whiskey: A smooth and smoky whiskey like Jameson or Bushmills complements the rich flavors of the dish.
  • Guinness: Guinness is a classic Irish beer that goes well with any pub-style food, including Irish Nachos.

And if you’re not eating Irish nachos as a meal, here’s some ideas to serve along with them to serve:

  • Smash Burger: The juicy and flavorful beef patty of a smash burger pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of Irish Nachos. Topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles, it’s the perfect handheld food to accompany your nachos.
  • Smoked Ribs: Tender and juicy BBQ ribs are the ultimate comfort food to pair with Irish Nachos. The smoky flavors and tender meat will balance out the richness of the nachos.
  • Grilled Chicken Sandwich: A grilled chicken sandwich is a lighter option that still packs a flavorful punch. The juicy and tender chicken pairs perfectly with the crispy potato chips of the nachos.
  • Buffalo Wings: There’s nothing quite like the combination of crispy chicken wings and spicy sauce to complement the flavors of Irish Nachos. Just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand!
  • BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich: The rich and smoky flavors of BBQ pulled pork are the perfect complement to the savory flavors of Irish Nachos. Served on a soft bun, it’s the ultimate comfort food.

Irish Nachos are a delicious and hearty snack that are perfect for any occasion, but best on St. Paddy’s day for obvious reasons.

With their crispy potatoes, tender corned beef, melted cheese, and variety of toppings, they are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

So, gather your friends, pour some beer or whiskey, and enjoy a plate of mouth-watering Irish Nachos!

Irish Nachos with Corned Beef

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pub food, St Patricks Day
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 333kcal
Irish nachos are not like any other nachos you’ve tried before, as they are made with crispy and golden brown potato chips, topped with tender and juicy corned beef, melted cheese, and a variety of other toppings that will leave you craving for more
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • Flat Top Griddle

Ingredients

  • 2 large russet potatoes sliced into thin rounds
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cooked and chopped corned beef
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
  • 2 tablespoons pickled jalapenos
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, toss the potato rounds with the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt until evenly coated.
  • Once the griddle is hot (about 350F), arrange the potato rounds in a single layer on the griddle.
  • Cook the potato rounds for 3-5 minutes on each side, until they are crispy and golden brown.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, add the chopped corned beef to the griddle and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, until lightly browned.
  • Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the potato rounds, covering them as evenly as possible.
  • Squirt a tablespoon or two of water on the griddle around the edges of the potato rounds to create steam; Cover the griddle with a lid and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the browned corned beef, pickled jalapenos, and green onions on top of the melted cheese.
  • use a spatula to transfer to a large baking sheet to serve, or place directly on everyones plate. Add a dollop of sour cream on top, and enjoy!.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 911mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 436IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 226mg | Iron: 2mg
Derek Campanile
Derek Campanile
I'm an IT professional by day. Home cook for the family by night. Follow my blog for easy to make recipes, how-to's and ideas to gather the family at the dinner table!

6 Comments

  1. I was just talking to my sis today about making some sort of corned beef dish. I love it but haven’t eaten it in years! Time for me to hit the meat market! I wish I could taste this right now. I bet the combination is too good!

  2. What a fantastic take on nachos! Pass me a plate and a Guinness!

  3. John Q says:

    Ha! I did a server upgrade as well today. But instead of Irish nachos it was Little Ceasar’s for dinner. I wasnt expecting it to take 6 hours to migrate a bunch of VMs off the old box to the new one so my plan to make dinner went right out the window!

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