Nachos are, in essence, tortilla chips covered in melted cheese, although you can add other toppings such as meat, avocado, or sauces, so we need to figure out if there is any way to store nachos.
I advise you that when you prepare nachos, eat them all the same day, although if you have some leftovers, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days, depending on the extra ingredients.
To learn how to store homemade nachos correctly, continue reading.
How to keep homemade nachos in the fridge
Nachos are pretty popular these days since you can see them in bars, parties, meetings of friends or family, and other types of moments.
So, whether you prepare them at home or buy them in a restaurant or fast food store, nachos are intended to be consumed the same day, specifically, a few hours after being purchased or cooked.
The reason behind that is the extra sauces that moisten the nachos, losing their crunchy texture.
However, in case you have some leftovers, you can save the nachos as follows:
- Step 1. Wait for the nachos to cool.
Before storing, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature but don’t let more than two hours pass.
- Step 2. Transfer the nachos to an airtight container.
An airtight container will prevent the nachos from absorbing the smell of other foods and thus modify their flavor.
- Step 3. Store the nachos in the fridge.
Place the container in the coldest part of your fridge so the nachos can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days. They won’t taste as freshly made, but they will be safe to eat.
If they have many cold or liquid ingredients, such as sauces or creams, nachos will only last about 24 hours in the refrigerator.
How to reheat homemade nachos?
Reheating the nachos is a bit of a complicated process since the main goal is to get them as crispy as possible as if you just cooked them.
In that case, the best option is to reheat the nachos in the oven. First, preheat it to about 480°F (250°C) for a few minutes. Then, spread the nachos on a tray without stacking them.
Finally, remove cold ingredients such as avocados or sour cream, and heat for 5 or 8 minutes.
You can also reheat the nachos in a pan, which should be large enough so that there is not a massive pile of nachos on it (otherwise, you will have to heat it in batches).
Just spread the nachos in the pan, make them as flattened as possible, and cover them with aluminum foil. Then, turn the stove on medium heat and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
I do not advise you to reheat the nachos in the microwave because the chips would soften a lot and would not look good.
Keep nachos with no coverings (AKA tortilla chips or doritos)
The ideal scenario to store nachos is basically to preserve the tortilla chips, where I have a complete guide you can check by clicking the link. However, the short answer is the following:
- Let them cool.
- Transfer the chips to an airtight container.
- Write down the storage date.
- Store the chips.
To store the chips at room temperature, place the bag or container in a dry, cool, dark place for 1 to 2 weeks.
But if you keep the chips in the freezer, they can last 2 to 3 months. After this time, they will begin to change consistency.
I must mention that you can keep the tortillas before converting them into chips or nachos, and to do that, check this post about how to store tortillas.
How do you know if nachos are bad?
The first indication that your nachos got terrible is the smell. If they smell bad, you shouldn’t eat the nachos to avoid food poisoning.
Don’t eat them if they are very wet or watery, since eating at all won’t be pleasant.
If you notice black, white, or green stains or lint on the nachos or in the container where you kept them, it means that it has mold, and you should throw them away because they are no longer suitable for consumption.
Why do nachos spoil?
Mainly because of the toppings. Whether it’s just melted cheese or a lot of other things, these moisten the tortilla chips and make them lose consistency.
The humidity generates a perfect environment for bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms to develop since they can obtain energy from different components.
Therefore, I recommend you store the nachos within two hours after you cook them; otherwise, the bacteria may have reached a dangerous amount for consumption.
How long do homemade nachos last?
Sadly, nachos do not last too long; below, I leave you a summary of their shelf life.
Product Duration
Refrigerated nachos 1 – 3 days
Nachos without toppings at room temperature 1 – 2 weeks
Frozen nachos without toppings 2 – 3 months
What is the best way to preserve homemade nachos?
The only way to preserve nachos is to refrigerate them, so just keep them hermetically sealed and store them in the fridge for a couple of days.
A better way to preserve nachos is to maintain each component independently and mix them when you eat them.
Homemade tortilla chips last much longer if they have nothing on them; for example, the last weeks at room temperature and a few months frozen.
This site has an extensive list of topics related to food preservation, so if you are interested in knowing how to store something else, don’t leave the website.
