Description
Korean Beef & Kimchi Nachos combine tender, flavorful Korean-style ground beef with tangy fermented kimchi over crispy tortilla chips. This bold fusion snack balances heat, umami, and crunch for a satisfying and easy-to-make appetizer perfect for sharing, game nights, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
Toppings and Garnishes
- 2 cups kimchi, warmed
- 5 cups tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded cheese (pepper jack or mozzarella)
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Sour cream or crema, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: Heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté minced garlic and grated ginger until fragrant. Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up with a spatula. Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, and sugar; cook until the mixture thickens and becomes sticky, then remove from heat.
- Warm the Kimchi: Briefly warm the kimchi in a separate pan or microwave to release its flavors and soften it slightly. This helps it blend beautifully with the spicy beef.
- Assemble the Nachos: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a generous layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet or oven-safe dish. Evenly sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the chips. Layer the cooked Korean beef on top, followed by the warmed kimchi, then sprinkle the remaining cheese over everything.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the assembled nachos in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and melted, and the edges of the chips turn golden and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the nachos from the oven and top with thinly sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and dollops of sour cream or crema. Serve immediately while warm and gooey.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and ginger to enhance flavor depth in the beef mixture.
- Spread toppings evenly to avoid soggy chips and maintain crunchiness.
- Adjust spice gradually by adding gochujang and kimchi incrementally.
- Mix melting cheeses with sharp varieties to boost flavor complexity.
- Serve nachos immediately for the best crunchy-chewy texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Korean beef nachos, kimchi nachos, spicy nachos, Korean fusion snack, game day appetizers, gochujang recipes