Huevos rancheros is a classic Mexican meal that comes from the rural parts of Mexico and was often eaten by farm hands, hence the name, which literally translates to "rancher's eggs" in Spanish. This dish was a typical mid-morning meal that was served to ranch hands as a second breakfast, that allowed them to refuel after their early start.
The dish consists of fried eggs served on a tortilla and covered with a flavourful salsa made of tomatoes, onions, and chiles. It's often served with beans, cheese, and guacamole or avocado on the side.
Huevos rancheros owes its roots to the traditional indigenous cooking of Mexico, which used local ingredients and cooking techniques to create simple, hearty, and flavourful dishes. The dish likely originated as a way to use up leftover tortillas and eggs, which were staples of many rural Mexican diets. Over time, it has evolved into the popular dish that is enjoyed today.
The key to a great huevos rancheros is a perfect fried egg. Traditionally, the eggs would be prepared sunny-side up, but feel free to make your eggs the way you like them. For an in-depth look at how to make the perfect fried egg, check out our Eggs 101 article.
Huevos rancheros is a popular breakfast dish in Mexico but has also become popular in other parts of the world where it’s often served as a brunch or lunch dish.
The beauty of huevos rancheros is in its versatility. It can be customized with a variety of ingredients and flavours to suit individual tastes. Here are some ideas to customize your huevos rancheros:
- Poach the eggs instead of frying them. Poaching the eggs will give them a soft, silky texture that is different from the firm texture of fried eggs. Check out our in-depth guide to perfect poached eggs here.
- Add some greens and a soft boiled egg to make it a healthy and filling lunch.
- Switch up the sauce! Instead of using the traditional sauce made with tomatoes, onions, and chiles, you can try using a different sauce, such as a salsa verde, a mole sauce, or a chile sauce.
- Change up the cheese! Try swapping out the cheese for crumbled feta, or something more traditional like cotija if you can find it at a specialty market.
- Amp up the herbs! Add flavour with herbs like cilantro or parsley.
- For the kids, try our bite-sized version with made with scrambled eggs.
- Serve it with a side! Huevos rancheros makes a great dinnertime meal that can be served along with rice, grilled vegetables or corn on the cob.
Huevos rancheros is a tasty and nourishing dish that can be enjoyed at any meal. It's also a great way to try new ingredients and flavours, and it can be made using a variety of egg cooking methods, from frying to poaching to scrambling. Huevos rancheros is a healthy and satisfying option that is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it a great choice for anyone looking to eat a balanced and nutritious meal.
