Campfire Nachos

These campfire nachos are the ultimate outdoor comfort food! Packed with layers of seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and gooey cheese, these nachos are then topped with your favorite veggies and will be a new summertime favorite!

Whether you’re camping or simply looking to elevate your nacho game, these easy-to-make nachos are a crowd-pleasing treat that will leave everyone wanting more. Nachos are a staple around our house, and you must try these Air Fryer Nachos as a side for dinner, these Easy Carne Asada Nachos as an appetizer at a potluck or even these Dessert Nachos for after the party!

What is Campfire Nachos?

Campfire Nachos are a mouthwatering twist on the classic Mexican dish, perfect for outdoor gatherings and camping trips. This delicious recipe layers tortilla chips with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and a generous amount of melted cheese. My kids love making these because not only are they delicious but they get to make and eat them outside!

Anyone who loves flavorful and hearty comfort food should make Campfire Nachos. They are easy to assemble and customizable with your favorite toppings, making them the perfect option for feeding a group. So gather around the campfire, set up your backyard grill, and treat yourself and your family with this yummy recipe!

Ingredients in Campfire Nachos

The great thing about this recipe is you can make it as is (which is delicious!), or you can change things up to make sure that everyone in your family loves every bite. Change up the toppings with new veggies and different meat, and you will have new nachos every time! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

• Ground Beef: Finely minced beef that adds meaty flavor and texture to the nachos.
• Taco Seasoning: I like making mine from scratch with this easy recipe.
• Water: This is used to cook the ground beef and taco seasoning together, creating a flavorful sauce.
• Refried Beans: Smooth and creamy beans that provide a rich and savory element to the nachos.
• Tortilla Chips: If you want nachos, tortilla chips are a must!
• Mexican-Style Cheese Blend: This combo of cheeses, typically cheddar, Monterey Jack, and/or queso fresco, melts into a gooey and cheesy topping.
• Black Beans: Cooked black beans add a hearty and earthy flavor to the nachos.
• Red Onion: This adds a pop of color and delicious flavor.
• Black Olives: I love adding olives to nachos but if you aren’t a fan, go ahead and leave them out.
• Jalapeño: For extra spice, leave in the seeds and the membranes.
• Roma Tomatoes: Firm and juicy tomatoes that are diced and used as a refreshing and tangy topping.
• Avocado: I love how the avocado adds in a creamy element to the nachos.
• Cilantro: This provides a fresh and vibrant flavor.
• Additional Toppings: Guacamole, sour cream, and salsa can be added if you like!

How to Make Campfire Nachos

This recipe is so easy! You just cook up the meat, add the ingredients to the Dutch oven pan and let them all cook together. The result is so delicious. Who says that you can’t eat well while you camp??

1. Prep Skillet: Place a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven onto the campfire to heat up. 
2. Cook Meat: Once the skillet is hot, add the ground beef and cook until it is browned all the way through. Add in the taco seasoning and water, stir, and cook until the sauce has reduced.
3. Layer with Chips: Remove the taco-seasoned meat from the skillet. Layer half your chips into the skilled or Dutch oven. Top the chips with half the cheese, half the refried beans, and half the cooked meat.
4. Add Cheese and Cover with Foil: Add the rest of your chips in an even layer. Layer on the remaining cheese, refried beans, and meat. Cover with foil, taking care not to burn yourself.
5. Cook: Cook for about 8-10 minutes until all the cheese is melted. 
6. Add Toppings: Top the nachos with the toppings or any additional toppings you desire, and enjoy!

Which Dutch Ovens are the Best to Use?

I’m a HUGE fan of Staub Dutch ovens, which last forever but tend to be pricer. You can usually find them on Amazon for around $375, but there are some deals out there, like this 5.5-quart option from Staub that sells for about $170 on Williams-Sonoma.

You can check out my guide to affordable Dutch ovens, which includes some high-quality alternatives, like this classic cast iron option from Lodge that’s great for campfires! It sells for around $50 on Amazon.