Nachos are a popular appetizer or snack made of tortilla chips covered in melted cheese, beans, salsa, guacamole, and other toppings. Denny’s is a popular diner-style restaurant chain that serves a variety of nacho dishes. So what exactly is in Denny’s nachos?
Denny’s Nacho Ingredients
The main ingredients in Denny’s nachos are:
- Tortilla chips – Denny’s uses yellow corn tortilla chips as the base.
- Cheese – Typically a melted cheese sauce or shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, queso quesadilla, or nacho cheese.
- Beans – Refried pinto beans or black beans.
- Ground beef – Seasoned ground beef.
- Chicken – Shredded chicken or grilled chicken strips.
- Salsa – A tomato-based salsa is standard.
- Jalapeños – Sliced or diced spicy jalapeño peppers.
- Guacamole – Avocado-based guacamole dip.
- Sour cream – Cool, creamy sour cream.
- Pico de gallo – A fresh salsa with tomatoes, onions, cilantro.
- Lettuce – Shredded lettuce.
- Olives – Sliced black olives.
These ingredients can be combined in different ways to create Denny’s variety of nacho dishes.
Denny’s Nacho Menu Items
Here are some of the most popular nacho dishes found on the Denny’s menu:
Loaded Nachos
Denny’s loaded nachos feature tortilla chips topped with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, queso cheese sauce, pico de gallo, sour cream, and jalapeños.
BBQ Chicken Nachos
These nachos are loaded with grilled chicken, sweet BBQ sauce, beans, shredded cheddar, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and sour cream.
Supreme Nachos
The supreme nachos have tortilla chips layered with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, and sour cream.
Buffalo Chicken Nachos
Spicy buffalo chicken tenders, blue cheese dressing, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, celery, and ranch dressing top the chips.
Veggie Nachos
A vegetarian option with chips, beans, salsa, cheese, guacamole, jalapeños, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
Nacho Average Nachos
Denny’s biggest nacho platter features beef, chicken, cheese sauce, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and other toppings to share.
Build Your Own Nachos
Select a style of chips and choice of toppings to customize your own nacho creation.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional value of Denny’s nachos varies depending on the specific ingredients and toppings selected. Here are the approximate nutrition facts for some of their popular nacho dishes:
| Nacho Dish | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loaded Nachos | 850 | 45g | 71g | 32g |
| BBQ Chicken Nachos | 800 | 40g | 67g | 35g |
| Supreme Nachos | 760 | 42g | 59g | 28g |
As shown, most Denny’s nachos provide around 800 calories or more per serving. They are high in fat from the chips, cheese, sour cream, and meat toppings. Carbs mainly come from the tortilla chips. And there is a good amount of protein from beans, beef, chicken, or cheese.
Ingredients by Nacho Type
While Denny’s nachos have some standard base ingredients like tortilla chips and cheese, the other toppings vary depending on the specific type of nachos ordered.
Beef Nachos
Nachos topped with seasoned ground beef generally also contain:
- Refried beans
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Salsa
- Sour cream
- Jalapeño peppers
- Pico de gallo
Chicken Nachos
Denny’s chicken nachos usually have:
- Shredded or grilled chicken
- Cheddar cheese
- BBQ sauce or buffalo sauce
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Lettuce and tomatoes
Veggie Nachos
The vegetarian version of nachos includes:
- Refried or black beans
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Jalapeños
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream
Signature Ingredients
Some signature ingredients that help make Denny’s nachos special include:
Queso Cheese Sauce
Many Denny’s nachos are smothered in a smooth, creamy queso cheese sauce that provides a delicious cheesy flavor.
Tortilla Chips
The nachos start with a base of crisp, yellow corn tortilla chips that provide a sturdy foundation for the toppings.
Seasoned Ground Beef
Their seasoned taco meat beef provides a savory, hearty addition and pairs well with the cheese and chips.
Refried Beans
Smooth, creamy refried beans add protein and complement the other flavors.
Salsa and Guacamole
Fresh pico de gallo salsa and creamy guacamole add flavor, texture, and a cool contrast to the hot nachos.
How Nachos are Served
Denny’s serves their nachos in several different styles:
Individual Order
Nachos can be ordered as an individual-sized appetizer or side dish.
Shareable Platter
Many nachos are served on a large, shareable platter perfect for 2-4 people to enjoy as an appetizer.
Half Order
Some locations offer half orders of nachos for smaller appetites.
Custom Orders
Build your own nacho orders allow you to select chips, toppings, and portion size.
Nacho Presentation
Denny’s nachos are artfully presented by layering the ingredients in the following order from bottom to top:
- Tortilla chips on bottom
- Refried beans and/or ground beef
- Shredded cheese
- Salsa, guacamole, jalapeños, etc.
- Sour cream as the final topping
This method helps maintain the crispness of the chips on bottom while evenly distributing ingredients.
Nacho Dipping Sauces
Denny’s provides a variety of dipping sauce options to add even more flavor to their nachos:
- Ranch dressing
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Queso cheese sauce
- Salsa
- Blue cheese dressing
Beverage Pairings
What beverages pair best with Denny’s nachos?
Drinks
- Ice cold soda like Coke, Sprite or root beer
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Mexican beers like Corona, Dos Equis, or Modelo
- Margaritas
Reasons for Pairings
These beverages help cool your mouth from the spicy nachos. Additionally, the citrus flavors of margaritas and lemonade complement the savory nacho toppings.
Prices
Denny’s nachos range in price from $6.99 to $12.99 depending on the location and specific nacho dish ordered. Here are the approximate prices for some of their most popular nacho menu items:
| Nacho Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Loaded Nachos | $8.99 |
| BBQ Chicken Nachos | $9.99 |
| Supreme Nachos | $7.99 |
| Nacho Average Nachos | $12.99 |
There are always deals and discounts available on the Denny’s mobile app as well. Overall, Denny’s nachos provide good value for the quality and large portions.
History of Nachos at Denny’s
Nachos have been served at Denny’s since the 1970s after being popularized in Mexican restaurants. Some key milestones include:
- 1970s – Nachos first appeared at Denny’s with basic toppings
- 1980s – More gourmet toppings like guacamole were added
- 1990s – Expanded nacho offerings and platters
- 2000s – Added unique nacho dishes like buffalo chicken nachos
- 2010s – Greater emphasis on shareables and appetizers including nachos
Over the years, Denny’s has innovated their nacho recipes to stay on trend and meet changing customer tastes.
Copycat Denny’s Nacho Recipe
Recreate the delicious flavors of Denny’s loaded nachos at home with this recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 bag tortilla chips
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 15-oz can refried beans
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup queso cheese sauce
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños
- Guacamole, sour cream for serving
Instructions
- Cook ground beef with taco seasoning until browned and drained.
- Spread refried beans on tortilla chips.
- Top with ground beef, shredded cheese, queso sauce.
- Bake at 350F for 5 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Top with salsa, guacamole, jalapeños, and sour cream.
Conclusion
With its generous portions, craveable ingredients, and customizable options, Denny’s loaded nachos and other specialty nacho dishes have become menu staples for good reason. Whether you are looking for an appetizer to share or late night snack, nachos from Denny’s satisfy cravings in an indulgent, delicious way. So next time you find yourself at this popular diner chain, be sure to load up an order of their famous nachos.