Vegetarian Nachos

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These vegetarian nachos are loaded with plant-based goodness, quick to make and absolutely delicious, a true family-friendly recipe.

A bowl of bean nachos with corn chips, sourcream and mashed avocado being held in two hands.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Very easy, on the table in 30 minutes
  • So tasty, I use a couple of vegan hacks to increase the umami (meaty) flavour
  • They get the tick of approval from all four of my children

Ingredients you will need

To make my vegetarian nachos you do need a few things, but please promise me you won't panic at the list of ingredients, there is very little actual prep, and most of the ingredients just involve measuring a spoonful of it.

  • olive oil
  • onion
  • carrot
  • garlic
  • smoked paprika
  • cumin
  • coriander
  • cocoa powder
  • chilli flakes (optional)
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable stock
  • brown sugar
  • Can of kidney beans
  • Can of lentils
  • 2 Cans of diced tomatoes
The ingredients to make vegetarian nachos laid out on a bench with text overlay.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutes

  • Crushed garlic: You can substitute this for ½ teaspoon garlic powder, added when you add the spices.
  • Soy sauce: For a gluten-free option use Tamari. The soy sauce adds an umami flavour to the dish.
  • Brown sugar: If you would prefer refined sugar free you can use coconut sugar, or a spoon of honey or maple syrup.
  • Cocoa: This actually adds umami to the dish, making it seem meaty with no meat!
  • Kidney Beans: Black beans would work just fine. You can of course use drained beans, you will need to soak and cook these before adding them into this recipe.

I am an ambassador for Countdown supermarket, they support my blog by providing ingredients for recipe creation and testing. I used canned kidney beans, lentils and diced tomatoes from their macro range in this recipe.


How to make the best vegetarian nachos ever!

Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my Vegetarian Nacho Recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.

Prep: Dice the onion, grate the carrot and crush or finely slice your garlic.

Step one: In a large fry pan heat the oil over a medium heat. Sauté the onion and grated carrot until soft, fragrant and a little caramelised.

Sautéed diced onion and grated carrot in a stainless steel fry pan.

Step two: Add the garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, and cocoa powder, sauté for one minute.

Carrot, onion sautéed with spices.

Step three: Add the soy sauce and vegetable stock, brown sugar and tomatoes, and bring to the boil. (heat until bubbling)

Tinned tomatoes being added to a fry pan.

Step four: Add the lentils and kidney beans, and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Season with salt to taste

Vegetarian bean nacho mix simmering in a stainless steel fry pan.

Step five: Mash if desired. I actually get out my potato masher and give the bean nachos a quick mash before I serve them, breaking up the beans a bit with the masher helps my kids enjoy it more!

A potato masher in a Vegetarian bean nacho mix simmering in a stainless steel fry pan.

Step six: Serve with corn chips and your favourite nacho toppings.

Enjoy!


A large stainless stell fry pan of bean based nacho mix on a table top with corn chips, avocado and coriander leaves.

Top Tips

Here is how you can make these Vegetarian Nachos perfectly every time!

  • Take the time to sauté the onions and carrots until they just start to go golden, you end up with a better-flavoured bean nacho mix
  • Try a masher! Beans can sometimes be quite a confronting texture for people, smashing them a little with a masher helps a lot!
  • Use this vegetarian Nacho Mix as the base for other meals, add to a wrap, serve with rice, or as a quesadilla filling.

A corn chip loaded with bean based nacho mix being held above a dinner table.

FAQs

Can I freeze vegetarian nachos?

Yes, a bean-based vegetarian nacho mix will freeze for up to four months and defrost well.

Other recipes you might like

A corn chip loaded with bean based nacho mix, avocado and sour cream being held above a dinner table.

If you made my Vegetarian Nacho Recipe  or any other recipes on the blog please :

  • leave me a comment and a star rating below to let me know how you got on, I love hearing from you.
  •  FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK,  INSTAGRAM,  PINTEREST to see more kid-friendly food and what I’m getting up to.

A bowl of bean nachos with corn chips, sourcream and mashed avocado being held in two hands.

Vegetarian Nachos

These vegetarain nachos are an easy and quick plant based recipe that your whole family will love.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Family Dinner Ideas
Cuisine: New Zealand
Keyword: vegetarian nachos, vegan nachos, bean nachos, vegetarian nachos nz
Diet: Dairy Free, Gluten free, vegetarian
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 411kcal

RATE THIS RECIPE

4.79 from 14 votes

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 large onion (diced) 200 grams
  • 1 medium carrot (grated) 150 grams
  • 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
  • 1 Tablespoon Soy sauce
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 1 Tablepsoon brown sugar
  • 400 grams kidney beans (canned)
  • 400 grams lentils (canned)
  • 800 grams Diced tomatoes

Instructions

  • Prep: Dice the onion, grate the carrot and crush or finely slice your garlic.
  • In a large fry pan heat the oil over a medium heat
  • Sauté the onion and grated carrot until soft, fragrant and a little caramelised.
  • Add the garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, and cocoa powder, sauté for one minutes.
  • Add the soy sauce and vegetable stock, brown sugar and tomatoes, bring to the boil.
  • Add the lentils and kidney beans, simmer for 10-15 minutes
  • Optional: Mash if desired. I actually get out my potato masher and give the bean nachos a quick mash before I serve them, breaking up the beans a bit with the masher helps my kids enjoy it more!
  • Serve with corn chips and your favorite nacho toppings

Notes

  • Take the time to sauté the onions and carrots until they just start to go golden, you end up with a better-flavoured bean nacho mix
  • Try a masher! Beans can sometimes be quite a confronting texture for people, smashing them a little with a masher helps a lot!
  • Use this vegetarian Nacho Mix as the base for other meals, add to a wrap, serve with rice, or as a quesadilla filling.
  • This bean-based vegetarian nacho mix will freeze for up to four months and defrost well.
  • Crushed garlic: You can substitute this for ½ teaspoon garlic powder, added when you add the spices.
  • Soy sauce: For a gluten-free option use Tamari. The soy sauce adds an umami flavour to the dish.
  • Brown sugar: If you would prefer refined sugar free you can use coconut sugar, or a spoon of honey or maple syrup.
  • Cocoa: This actually adds umami to the dish, making it seem meaty with no meat!
  • Kidney Beans: Black beans would work just fine.
  •  

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 356mg | Potassium: 1283mg | Fiber: 28g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2598IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 9mg

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10 Comments

  1. Love the easy vege option! I couldn't see in the recipe when to add the tomatoes so I added them with the lentils/beans. Delicious!

  2. 5 stars
    Love this! I’ve made it twice so far. My new go-to nacho recipe. I would love more vegetarian meal ideas on here 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    Thanks Stacey! Our family love this recipe and we have used the vegetarian’mince’ mixture to make a lasagna, which was yummy ?

  4. 5 stars
    Best nachos ever!! I will never be making nachos with mince again.
    I have been looking for a great vegetarian version for ages and this has ticked all the boxes. My partner also agrees that these are delicious ?

  5. 5 stars
    Great recipe I've made so many different versions of veggie nachos over the years but this one is the best I've made to date.