I’ve got to tell you a little secret.
I’m not the biggest fan of ‘fake’ vegan products.
You know, soy cheese, tofu cream cheese, seitan bacon, the likes…
It’s a personal preference, but I think I’ve gotten so used to the dairy-free lifestyle that I don’t really miss it enough to warrant imitation products. This of course has a few exceptions, namely vegan mac and cheese (what would I do without you!?), and baking supplies like earth balance vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
I say this because these nachos don’t have any cheese or sour cream. Nor do they contain any “cheeze” or sour “cream”. Nada.
Regardless, they are ridiculous amazing and perfect for a party (sports-related or otherwise!).
These nachos are built on a bed of corn chips, so they’re gluten-free as well as vegan! On top of the chips are my savory black beans. Saffron, cumin, and bay leaves spice up a typical can of black beans and bring a warm and earthy flavor to the nachos.
Over top of the beans are two salsas: a corn salsa with jalapeños and onions, and a classic pico de gallo.
And of course, you cannot forget the guac.
These nachos are surprisingly healthy. Without the cheese and sour cream, these nachos are essentially loads of veggies and some corn chips. You don’t feel gross or overtired after eating them, yet they don’t lack any flavor!
Enjoy!
xx
- 3-4 oz corn tortilla chips (about ¼ a large bag)
- 1 14 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 pinch of saffron (3-4 strands)
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp garlic salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp white vinegar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ medium tomato, diced
- ¼ red onion, diced
- ½ small jalapeño, chopped
- ⅓ cup sweet white corn
- ¼ red onion, diced
- ½ small jalapeño, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large avocado
- 1 tbsp diced red onion
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- dash salt
- juice of ½ lemon
- chopped cilantro (optional)
- Combine ingredients for pico de gallo and corn salsa (separately). Reserve a small amount of diced red onion for the guacamole.
- In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, combine all ingredients for black beans. Once the mixture is dry and seasoned, add two tablespoons of water and simmer for 3-5 minutes and then remove from heat and set aside.
- Meanwhile, mash the avocado and add the lemon juice. Stir in the salts and onion.
- Assemble by placing corn chips in a large dish, topping with black beans, corn salsa, pico de gallo, and finally guacamole. Garnish with cilantro and lemon juice, if desired.
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Vegan or not, these are true game day eats. Loving all the colors and textures! So bright, not like those traditional cheese-soaked nachos.
Thanks, Sarah! I’m a fan of rainbow food 🙂
I’m not vegan but I’m with you on not going for the soy cheese, tofu cream cheese, seitan bacon etc. . and hello!!! you have gauc and this fabulous corn salsa!! who needs cheese and sour cream?! love this!!
Exactly! Thanks!
Oh wow, these definitely look like the perfect game day nachos, Medha! This vegan kind looks better than the meat version of nachos! And that corn salsa is such a great idea. I think I could just eat that straight from the bowl!
I may have tasted the corn salsa straight out of the bowl approximately seven times… thanks!
Wow – this looks too good to be vegan and GF!
Haha thanks!
This looks like the perfect game (or any day) snack! Love this healthy nachos. Pinned! (don’t like soy cheese…)
Me either… thanks!
These are seriously the ultimate! Wow!
Glad they live up to their name 🙂
Wow! I am all over these nachos. I’m not vegan or gf but I would totally devour the entire plate!
They’re definitely for everyone! 🙂
This is a breath of fresh air compared to the ground meat and cheese-laden pub nachos. These would be gone in a flash in my house.
Thanks!
I love it, it’s like four dips come together in one happy plate.
Basically! 🙂
Your secret is safe with me! I promise! These nachos are awesome!! I want a big plate all to myself, right now!!
Confession: I may or may not have devoured these right after photos 🙂
Wow!! This looks amazing!! ..and I hear ya, I’m not a fan of fake vegan products… but I do love the healthy nourishing fresh ones like this!! Great recipe!
Thanks so much!
I can’t believe these are GF and vegan — they look amazing! I can see how the imitation stuff wouldn’t be the same.
Thanks, Ashley 🙂
You’d never be able to tell these were healthier for you, they look incredible! It’s always a good thing to have some lighter options at parties, especially the Superbowl!
Trashed up food is great… but it’s even better when it’s not TOTALLY unhealthy 🙂 Thanks!
With that lovely guacamole and the black beans with pico de gallo… Yummm not missing the cheese here at all! 😉
Me either! Thanks 🙂
These nachos look absolutely delicious! I’d never even think about the fact that they’re vegan…and I love the spices that you threw in with the black beans, I’m particularly intrigued by how the saffron would taste!
The saffron really complements not only the other earthy flavors in the black beans, but also the brighter flavors in the salsas and guac 🙂 Thanks!
Oooh man nachos. <3 <3 <3 I love these, Medha! Nachos are a guilty pleasure of mine, but I hate feeling meh if (or realistically, when) I overindulge. These are perfect! Pinning!
Thanks for the pin! 🙂
This looks amazing, Medha! I love that they are healthier and gluten free! I would definitely rather have this yummy plate on game day!
Thanks!
That guacamole and corn salsa look so good, there’s no way I would miss the cheese and sour cream!
Thanks! That’s the idea 🙂
The guac totally makes these, and I met I wouldn’t miss the cheese at all! These are January nachos at their finest. 🙂
Thanks so much! Happy weekend!
Those nachos look incredibly delicious! Yum!!! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
These nachos look amazing, Medha! Love the flavours, so delish and comforting.
Thanks, Jess!
Who doesn’t love nachos? They are just so amazing and I love how you have so many delicious toppings on yours! 🙂
Thanks so much 🙂
I love this naturally lighter version of yours! I agree – eating the heavy dairy often leaves me feeling very sluggish and just weighed down. It’s amazing how you can just go w/o it sometimes and the food is still so good, if not better and just fresher tasting. This looks like all that!
I totally agree, thanks!
oh yummy!! Medha, these game day nachos look so mouthwatering good! I think, we are on same wavelength for our love for vegan food! Happy connecting with you, would love to explore your blog more! stay in touch! Cheers! Savita
Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy weekend 🙂
I am also not a fan of “fake” vegan products either. These are the kind of nachos I would like!
Thanks!
Yummy! Love the flavors and textures here 🙂
Thanks, Kiran! 🙂
Wow, this looks amazing. Pinned 🙂
Thanks for the pin 🙂
Hi Medha,
I’m so happy to find your cute blog! I agree with you…no fake vegan stuff for me. That’s just as bad as eating conventional process foods, right? THIS is the way to go…all-natural god-given foods! This game-day nacho looks divine! I’m sure it tastes the same…divine!
It definitely does! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
These look delicious! Love that it’s Gluten Free!
I’ve been trying to eat gluten free more often! Thanks 🙂
These are speaking to me…That guac looks to die for. I literally could eat guacamole with a spoon 🙂
Same! I’ve got a ripe avocado I need to use and you’re giving me ideas… 🙂
This would be a good hit in my veggie loving family. It looks so fresh and clean looking. Love the vegan version my dear. Of course pinning it.
Thanks so much for the nacho love and the pin 🙂
I am not vegan, but the traditional cheese soaked nachos are enough to get me considering a dairy free life. Love your version, healthy, bright and very appetizing looking. 🙂
Thanks, Anna 🙂
I’m with you Medha, I’m not a fan of fake food either because at the end of the day, processed food, whether it be vegan or not, is processed food. These look outrageously good!
Thank you so much!
I’m not a big fan of “fake” products either. This looks absolutely amazing and I’m sure I’ll be trying it soon!
Thanks! LMK if you do 🙂
Oh my! Look how colourful all this is.
I love the big pile of guacamole on top of it too 🙂
That’s the best part 🙂
These nachos sound amazing! I love all the goodness they contain! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I’m always up for nachos and these are seriously making me drool just looking at them! Absolutely perfect for game-day I’m sure. 😉
Thanks, Sarah!
I’d eat them for that guacamole alone! I’m not vegan, but these look like a seriously delicious game-time treat!
I looooove guac. Thanks 🙂
I cannot stand fake vegan products either. But they don’t look necessary with this great dish!! This looks so fresh and healthy! Delicious! 🙂
Thanks!
These nachos look so amazing, Medha! They sure don’t have to be bad for you. With all of these delicious, healthy ingredients, I wouldn’t miss the cheese or sour cream a bit!
You really wouldn’t! 🙂
wow…these look so bright and clean! and healthy…and delicious! pinned…think they will be perfect for my Superbowl party!
Thanks for the pin! LMK if you make them 🙂
I would gobble these up! They look so fresh and tasty. I love your blog name by the way. 🙂
Haha thank you 🙂
So colorful and healthy! This would be a great appetizer for our Superbowl party! I love that this is naturally vegan too!
Thanks so much!
Hi Medha,
I agree with you. I hate all the tofurkey, fake cheese, and other vegan nonsense too. Pinning this to make for our superbowl party! I’ll let you know how it goes 🙂
Thanks for the pin and cannot wait to hear back! 🙂
Such a joyful vegan recipe! I adore that you celebrate your food choices, rather than hide them away! We all need a healthier and fresh tasting recipe for nachos. This is a recipe to try.
Thanks, Deb 🙂
I’d be willing to watch football for these.
Mission accomplished! 🙂
Awesome! Nachos might actually be my favourite food and I totally get by without cheese and sour cream, I just make up for it in guacamole! I love the spices and flavours in there, I think I need these on Friday night 🙂 I don’t use many “fake” vegan foods either, just Earth Balance and dairy free chocolate chips for baking like you.
We are the same! Thanks 🙂
yes! these are totally my kind of nachos. i don’t care for substitutes and fake good, either. these are bright and simple and good and everything i think nachos need to be! i like the way you spiced the black beans with saffron. gosh, checking food blogs right before bed is the worst — my stomach is growling! 🙂
Girl, I feel ya! I’m always parsing through delicious blogs at the worst possible time 🙂 Thanks!
These vegan nachos look delicious! I am not a fan of vegan cheese products either. They kind of gross me out. I love how fresh and healthy these nachos are! Two types of salsa has me not even caring that there is no cheese!
Exactly! 🙂
These nachos look so fresh and delicious! I’m on the same page as you with the ‘fake’ vegan products – I’d rather not eat most of them and just find a way to do without when I need to instead (but hooray for good quality dairy free/gluten free choco chips)!
Yeah same! And I don’t mind vegan cream cheese either 🙂
99% of the time, I love avoiding imitation foods, especially fake dairy (the other 1% is my inexplicable soft spot for a particular brand of soy cream cheese, which is a long story) and I really think that these are perfect without any dairy at all!
I like soy cream cheese too! It’s one of the better options 🙂
Oh I would eat all of these (minus the cilantro), for dinner. Every day if I could too!
Thanks 🙂