Huevos rancheros (or rancher’s eggs) are a traditional Mexican farm meal consisting of corn tortillas topped with fried eggs and salsa.
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Huevos Rancheros
These Huevos Rancheros make an excellent vegetarian breakfast, lunch, or supper. What could be better than runny egg yolks mingling with tomatoes and cheese over crunchy corn tortillas? Try my Buñuelos or Mexican Bean Salad for other Mexican-inspired dishes.
What are Huevos Rancheros?
Huevos Rancheros are traditional Mexican breakfast dishes that literally translate to “rancher’s eggs.” cooked eggs are customarily served on gently cooked corn tortillas and slathered in a tomato-chili sauce. Huevos Rancheros, like many classic recipes, has several regional variants and modern modifications, but the essential remains the mix of eggs, tortillas, and a spicy sauce.
Why You’ll Love These Eggs
I’m pleased my buddy Abi showed me how to prepare this real recipe since I can’t get enough of them! Here are a few reasons why we adore this dish:
- Inexpensive – Eggs are inexpensive, and this recipe requires only a few ingredients.
- High Protein – Each serving contains 22 grams of protein.
- High Fiber – a rich source of dietary fiber, with 10 grams per serving!
- Simple – the recipe is suitable for home chefs of all ability levels.
- Adaptable to Various Dietary Needs – This is gluten-free and can be changed to accommodate vegetarian diets, as well as dairy-free diets with some tweaks.
- Weight Watchers Friendly – Because eggs and veggies have no WW points, this is a terrific low point breakfast choice or lunch for a very substantial dish.
- Flavorful – With the creaminess of the egg yolks, the saltiness of the cheese, and the taste of the tomato chili sauce all atop a crunchy tortilla, this savory meal offers a rich blend of flavors.
Is there meat in huevos rancheros?
Huevos rancheros can be made with beef, but I make mine vegetarian. You are welcome to add some if you wish. With turkey chorizo, these huevos rancheros would be fantastic.
Huevos Rancheros Ingredients
- Vegetables: Topping vegetables include onions, vine-ripe tomatoes, canned green chiles, and shredded lettuce.
- Spices: Spices include kosher salt, black pepper, and cumin.
- Tortillas: I use 6 inch corn tortillas, either white or yellow.
- Cheese: Large eggs, preferably organic or farm fresh.
- Toppings: crumbled cotija cheese, queso fresco, or queso blanco over the eggs. If you can’t eat dairy, leave it out.
- Garnishes: fresh herbs, such as chopped cilantro, or scallions if you dislike cilantro.
How to Make Huevos Rancheros
- Salsa: Sauté the onions in a large pan before adding the tomatoes, chilis, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors combine, then set aside and keep warm.
- Tortillas: Lightly coat the corn tortillas with oil and cook in a pan over medium-high heat. They’re done when they’re crispy and golden brown.
- Cook your eggs sunny side up over medium-low heat until done to your taste.
- Place two tortillas on each plate, then top with half of the tomatoes, two eggs, lettuce, cilantro, and cheese. Enjoy!
Variations:
Because the meal can be altered based on personal preferences, some versions may add bell peppers or various varieties of cheese. Here are some ideas:
- If you don’t like runny yolks, cook the eggs longer or scramble them instead.
- Instead of heating the tomatoes and chiles, save time by using canned salsa verde.
- If you don’t have fresh tomatoes on hand, use canned chopped tomatoes instead.
- Substitute queso fresco or shredded cheddar for the cotija or queso blanco.
- Remove the cheese to make it dairy-free.
- For added protein, add chorizo. Use soy chorizo if you want to keep them vegetarian.
- For added fiber, add black beans or refried beans.
- Top the tortillas with fresh jalapeos or serve with spicy sauce for added heat.
- If preferred, serve this dinner with sliced avocados and sour cream on the side.
More Egg Recipes You’ll Love:
Recipe Card
Huevos Rancheros
Ingredients
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 medium vine tomatoes diced
- 1/4 cup canned chopped green chiles such as Old El Paso
- olive oil spray
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cumin
- 4 6 inch corn tortillas
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
- 4 tbsp crumbled cotija cheese or queso blanco
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the oil. Cook until the onions are tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Cook for a few minutes more after adding the tomatoes, green chilies, cumin, salt, and black pepper to taste. Keep heated and set aside.
- In a separate medium nonstick skillet or griddle, generously spray the tortillas on both sides with oil and fry over medium-high heat until crispy and pockets or air bubbles develop within, about 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Place aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently coat the pan with additional oil before adding the eggs, salt, and pepper. Cook until the whites are set for sunny-side up, or until done to your taste.
- To serve, top each dish with two tortillas, half of the tomatoes, two eggs, lettuce, cheese, and cilantro.