Grain Free Protein Loaded Nacho Recipe
Protein Packed Grain-Free Nacho Recipe
You make the best grain-free, protein-packed nacho recipe when life presents you with grain-free tortilla chips and you’re in Mexico. I shared this grain-free paleo-style nacho recipe on my Instagram, and it was a hit. Nachos don’t need to be greasy, carb-loaded, and of poor quality, leaving you feeling crap or heavy. Instead, we can make it a complete nutrient-packed meal by using grass-fed beef and beef liver, keeping it reasonably low in lectins grain, and gluten-free by using cassava flour tortilla chips.
How To Make these protein packed Grain Free Nachos
I don’t expect anyone to have the time or the skills to make their own tortilla chips unless you want to. We luckily have notable companies out there that have gut-friendly and healthier options we can utilize as an indulgent meal. This is that type of meal. In fact, this is not an indulgent meal because the protein packed in this meal offsets a lot of the carbs, and being smart with other ingredients allows us to keep it clean, lower in calories, and allows us to keep it clean, lower in calories and can get 6 servings out of this recipe. The grain-free nachos take around 60 minutes from start to finish.
The Best Grain Free Nacho Recipe
Nachos don’t need to be greasy or cause a carb coma. Instead, upgrade the ingredients making them more gut-friendly, more protein-packed, and then add more nutrients to make nachos a game-changing meal for friends and family or as a meal prep to leverage for the week ahead.
The grain-free nachos I managed to secure here in the middle of Mexico was from a well-known US brand. There are other alternatives out there but ensure they contain minimal ingredients. Try to source grass-fed beef, organic and A2 dairy cheese.
These were the ingredients on the nacho chips I found: Cassava Flour, Avocado Oil, Coconut Flour, Ground Chia Seed, and Sea Salt.
While these tortilla chips are non-GMO, grain, gluten-free, and more, they are still dense in calories that need to be utilized either burnt or stored. So leveraging more protein and adding the beef liver (optional) like I have done in this recipe makes this meal a feel-good meal that you enjoy but know is not sabotage or make you feel like crap.
This is the brand and version of tortilla chips I used for the nacho recipe.
Protein-Packed Nacho Recipe
I scaled down the number of carbs or chips in this recipe and instead cranked up the protein content by doubling the ground beef and halving the chips. You still have the chips and cheese, but it's denser in protein to get more satiety, more muscle protein synthesis activation, and a better glucose response than your typical meal. With the ground beef - ideally, opt for 5-10% fat ratios as the meal's calorie content can escalate. Additionally, there is additional fat with the smashed avocado, cheese, and sour cream or yogurt drizzled that does not need any more than necessary.
I added diced beef liver to the ground beef. You can either chop it yourself into small 1cm squares. Additionally, if you have a friendly butcher, ask them to do it or for them put it through the mincer.
If you really don't fancy the liver, you can emit it. The liver - organ like taste is completely hidden, in my opinion, so great for picky eaters or kids. But for those who want to dip their toes into organ meats or those not fond of the taste and texture, this would be a great start to incorporate organs into a meal like nachos.
If you wanted to provide another alternative to the liver, you could add bacon or chorizo. Dicing them up and cooking simultaneously as the ground beef would be a pleasant addition, or adding them to the ground beef and liver.
What To Serve With Protein Loaded Grain-Free Nachos
As the grain-free nacho recipe contains everything you need, nothing is necessarily required. However, if you want a side of freshness, then simply prepare a salad of arugula (wild rocket) with shaved radishes, grated carrot, and a splash of lemon juice and/or extra virgin olive oil.
Grain-Free Protein Loaded Recipe
Servings: 6
Prep time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Skill level: Easy to medium
Grain-Free Protein Loaded Ingredients
5 oz packet of grain-free tortilla chips
2 pounds / 900 grams of grass fed ground beef
3 oz / 100 grams of grass fed beef liver - diced
1 tsp ghee
1 red onion - finely diced
6 black garlic cloves or 4 garlic cloves- finely chopped.
600ml tomato passata
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 red bell pepper - seeds removed and sliced lengthways.
1/2 tsp Icelandic or sea salt
1 tbsp coconut aminos
1 tsp ground coriander and cumin seeds
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
2 avocados - smashed
1 lime - juiced
1/2 bunch of coriander/cilantro leaves
1/2 green jalapeno
5 oz cheese (use 1 or a mix of Manchego, Monterrey jack, cheddar, gouda or queso quesadilla)
100ml sour cream or natural live yogurt
Grain-Free Protein Loaded Nacho Instructions
Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C.
Heat on medium heat in a wide saucepan. Add ghee.
Add the diced onion, and the sliced red bell pepper cook to soften for 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a small plate.
Next, turn the heat up slightly, and add the ground beef to the pan. Cook without moving but ensure the beef is spread out. Brown the other side. Allow to brown before breaking up or flipping over.
Add the diced liver and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
Return to the pan the onions and add the ground spices. Cook for 30 seconds.
Add the tomato paste and passata, and coconut aminos to the pan. Cook on a simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Prepare the grain-free tortilla chips on a lined greaseproof sheet oven tray. Spread them mainly around the outside.
Prepare the smashed avocados, grate the cheese, and prepare the salad.
Add the beef tomato sauce to the tortilla chips. Spread evenly.
Add the grated cheese on top. Put the tray in the oven and cook for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Remove from the oven. While it is cooling slightly, add fresh coriander leaves, sliced jalapenos, a squeeze of lime, and then dollop the avocado and drizzle sour cream or yogurt on top.
Then serve up or eat out of the pan as I did. Enjoy.
