Why are nachos so popular? Because they taste great and you can make them in a few minutes. Okay, traditional nachos are not exactly low in carbs, so where does the keto part fit in?
The low-carb variant ditches the tortilla chips for an equally crunchy and tasty alternative. You’re probably anxious to find out what it is. Without much further ado, let’s jump right to the recipe.
Keto Nachos Recipe
Low-carb nachos allow you to unleash your culinary creativity and there are main ingredients and extras. Check out the lists below.
Main Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Pork rinds
- Cheddar cheese (shredded)
- Avocado
- Sour cream
Extras
- Cilantro
- Salsa
- Onion (chopped)
- Olives
- Bell peppers
- Jalapenos
- Guacamole
Preparation
Get a large pan, put the ground beef in, and simmer it at medium heat until it turns brown. Pour out the extra grease, add spices, and stir it all in. Now, take a large bowl and mix in sour cream, beef, pork rinds, avocado, and cheddar cheese. This is also the time to introduce the extras, just go easy on the jalapenos if you don’t want to make the dish too spicy.
Chef’s Trick: Take a baking sheet, put cheddar cheese and pork rinds on it, then melt the two together before you add them to the rest of the ingredients.
Keto Nachos Benefits
At first glance, nachos don’t appear to be a good fit for keto diet. But this Mexican classic spin-off gives a boost to your health in more than one way.
Cardiovascular Health
Grass-fed beef and avocados, the two main ingredients, are responsible for making the keto nachos great for your heart. Plus, if you add low-carb vegetables, you make the meal more nutrient-rich and powerful. But how do avocados and beef affect your cardiovascular health?
Grass-Fed Beef
Grass-fed beef is rich in CLA (Conjugated linoleic acid) and it may contain up to 500% more CLA compared to other beef. Without going into details, more CLA means there’s less risk of cardiovascular disease.
Aside from CLA, the benefits also include a higher content of vitamin K2 in grass-fed beef. These nutrient grabs calcium in your bloodstream and takes it to the bones. This way, there’s less chance of plaque and arterial calcification.
Avocado
Being rich in potassium, avocado may lower your blood pressure, thus minimizing the chances of stroke and heart attack. This exotic fruit also has a high content of monosaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fatty acids. These help your body metabolize other nutrients and phytochemicals.
In addition, avocado promotes muscle health and helps you stay hydrated. There are different ways to use the fruit in your nachos – you can mash it up in keto-friendly guacamole or just slice it up for a green mean topping.
Expert Tip: When ripe, avocado needs to have the right color and softness. It’s usually darkish green, but not too dark and kind of soft – your finger shouldn’t sink in when you squeeze it.
A Nice Hearty Meal
Sans chips, tortillas, and other carb-rich ingredients, Mexican cuisine is surprisingly healthy. Due to this, it stands out as a great basis for keto diet. But it’s not only about health, keto nachos are also bound to excite the palate of your friends who are on a regular diet.
