How To Make Tater Tot Nachos with Ground Venison (Totchos)

We’re making tater tot nachos with ground venison today, and you’re going to love how easy this one is. It’s hearty, cheesy, golden brown, and full of flavor. Think of it as the perfect twist on classic nachos—crispy tater tots take the place of tortilla chips, and the seasoned venison brings clean, lean protein to the mix.

Why Ground Venison?

Ground venison is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with. It’s lean, clean, and unprocessed. You won’t find any preservatives or hormones in it. Venison is high in protein and low in fat, which makes it a healthy option for family meals. It’s a great way to use wild game in a fun, kid-friendly dish that everyone loves.

If you don’t have venison, you can substitute ground beef—just make sure to drain off the extra fat after cooking. With ground venison, you won’t need to drain at all.

Ingredients

For the venison mixture:

• 1 1/2 – 2 pounds ground venison
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
  
• 1 large onion, diced
  
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  
• 2 packets taco seasoning
  
• 1 packet ranch seasoning
  
• ¾ cup water
  

For the tater tots:

• 1 pound frozen mini tater tots (you can use regular size, but I love the minis!)
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
  
• 3 tablespoons taco seasoning or 1 pkg. of taco seasoning
  

Toppings (use what you love):

• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese blend
  
• Pico de gallo
  
• Sour cream
  
• Guacamole
  
• Sliced black olives
  
• Jalapeños
  
• Diced avocado
  
• Optional: rinsed and drained black beans, diced bell peppers
  

Step 1: Brown the Ground Venison

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Add the ground venison, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and cook until the venison is browned, about 5–10 minutes.

Once browned, sprinkle in the two packets of taco seasoning and the packet of ranch seasoning. Pour in ¾ cup of water, bring it to a gentle simmer, and stir until the seasonings coat the meat evenly. Turn off the heat. No need to drain—the venison should be juicy and flavorful.

Step 2: Bake the Tater Tots

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen tater tots with olive oil and taco seasoning. Toss to coat evenly. Spread them out on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until they’re crispy and golden brown. These tots are the base for your nachos—crunchy, salty, and perfect.

Step 3: Assemble the Nachos

Once the tater tots are golden and crisp, take them out of the oven. Spoon the seasoned ground venison evenly over the top. Sprinkle on the shredded cheese.

Return the pan to the oven for about 2–5 minutes, just until the cheese melts and everything looks gooey and irresistible.

Step 4: Add Your Favorite Toppings

Now the fun part—toppings! Add fresh pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, black olives, jalapeños, and avocado slices. If you want extra texture and flavor, throw on some black beans or bell peppers.

We love to set the pan right in the middle of the table and eat straight from it. Everyone digs in —it’s casual, fun, and totally delicious. You can also plate it up individually with a spatula if you prefer.

Make It Your Own

This recipe is super flexible. You can swap the cheese blend, play with toppings, or even scoop the mix into flour tortillas for handheld tacos. The base of crispy tater tots makes a great stand-in for chips and holds up beautifully under all that melted cheese and seasoned meat.

Reheating and Leftovers

If you have leftovers (we rarely do!), reheat them the next day in your air fryer on parchment paper. They crisp right back up and taste just as good as the first time.

This meal has become a family favorite—simple ingredients, quick prep, and incredible flavor every time.

Time to Be a Doer & Make Venison Totchos

These ground venison nachos are everything you want in comfort food—crispy, cheesy, meaty, and full of fresh flavor. Whether you’re serving it for game night, dinner with friends, or a cozy weekend meal, this recipe always hits the spot.

Grab your favorite toppings and dig in. It’s wild game done right—simple, satisfying, and absolutely delicious.