Your Nachos Aren't Smoky Enough, But One Topping Fixes That In An Instant

We can all agree that nachos are anything but lackluster. Layers after layers of melted cheese, zesty salsa, and savory meat stacked over a pile of crispy tortilla chips can hardly underwhelm. The only thing missing from that flavor fest is a smoky undertone. It's the simple shortcut to making the most ordinary dishes intriguing, infusing a burnt flair that drums up visions of food kissed directly by the dancing flame. No need to fire up the grill for this, just grab a few chipotle chili peppers and brace yourself for a brand-new plate of nachos.

If there's anything chipotle chili is renowned for, it's the intense heat that ignites anything it touches. Ripe jalapeños are dried and smoked until the natural spice deepens into a smoky edge, with a sweetness subtly hiding underneath. Amidst all the tangy richness we've grown familiar with, that grounding depth is what gives the nachos an unexpected complexity. The smoky notes delicately wrap around all the ingredients, leaving behind a lingering aftertaste with each bite. One spoonful scattered onto your nachos, and you can instantly taste the difference.

Chipotle chili is ridiculously versatile, so you've got more than just one way to add it to nachos; each offers a different level of spice. Sauces, in most cases, will give you a gentle heat — just bold enough to stoke excitement without completely incinerating the taste buds. You can mix chipotle chili in all forms (canned in adobo sauce, powder, or dried) with sour cream or Mexican crema, mayonnaise, fresh herbs, lime juice, and a few spices for a tangy, subtly spicy chipotle crema to drizzle over the nachos. Much spicier and more complex is mole poblano — a blended mixture of various types of chili peppers, dark chocolate, aromatics, and heavy spices.

A dip could also work wonders. It could be as simple as a 2-ingredient canned chipotle dip, or an elaborate twist on the tried-and-true queso dip. Don't forget you can also add other smoky ingredients to heighten this particular flavor tone. Anything from a pinch of cayenne pepper and smoked paprika to a splash of liquid smoke will do the trick.

Incorporated straight into the protein, sprinkling chipotle powder into the pan or simmering the meat with chipotle sauce always works. If nothing else, treat the chipotle chili as one of those creative toppings for nachos. Chop it up and scatter the pieces everywhere; you'll get fun, bursting pops of flavor that fully showcase what the chili has to offer.