Brisket nachos for 12: chopped brisket warmed in a little barbecue sauce, layered twice with thick tortilla chips, black beans and pepper Jack in 2 foil pans, then melted with the grill lid down. Quick-pickled red onions and a lime sour cream in a squeeze bottle go on at the end. Two layers means every chip gets cheese, and 2 smaller pans means the second one is hot when the first is gone.
Feeds: 12 · Hands-on: about 25 min · Total: about 40 min, plus pickling time
Pack for the lot
- Pan of brisket, foil-covered, in the cooler
- Shredded cheese, beans, lime crema and pickled onions, in the cooler
- Chips
- Jalapeños, cilantro and green onions
- 2 half-size foil pans
- Instant-read thermometer, tongs and oven mitts
- Charcoal and a chimney starter, or a full propane tank
- Trash bags
Lot notes
- Brisket first: heat the meat to 165°F before it goes on the chips. The cheese melt is too short to heat cold brisket through.
- Cool side only: chips scorch fast over direct heat. Keep the pans on the cool side with the lid down.
- Cold toppings: the crema, cheese and onions stay at 40°F or below until they're used. Toss toppings left out past 2 hours, or 1 hour over 90°F.
- The Texas A&M rule: the Kyle Field guide says "Attended at all times, with a cover. In Aggie Park, propane or electric only. No ground fires or fire pits anywhere. Hot coals go in the coal dumpsters."
- Cleanup: the foil pans fold up and go in the trash.
- Propane for Aggie Park: the Monument G22 is a two-burner tabletop propane grill with a lid and a built-in thermometer, so one burner off gives you the cool side, per Monument.
Can you make brisket nachos ahead?
The parts, yes. Pickle the onions, mix the crema, chop and sauce the brisket and shred the cheese up to 2 days ahead. Build and melt the nachos at the lot, because built nachos go soggy.
How do you keep nachos hot at a tailgate?
Melt them one pan at a time and serve straight from the grill. Keep the brisket pan covered on the cool side so the next round is ready to build.
How much brisket nachos for 20 people?
Double it for up to 24 in 4 half-size pans: 3 lb of brisket, 1 cup of barbecue sauce, 4 bags of chips, 2 cans of black beans, 1½ lb of pepper Jack and 2 cups of lime crema. Pickle 2 onions.
Can you use pulled pork instead of brisket?
Yes. Any smoked shredded meat works. Heat it to 165°F before you build.
Can you grill at Kyle Field?
Yes, with a covered grill and someone on it. The Texas A&M guide says "Attended at all times, with a cover. In Aggie Park, propane or electric only. No ground fires or fire pits anywhere. Hot coals go in the coal dumpsters." In Aggie Park, bring propane.