Huevos Rancheros

I’m a proud member of Team Savory Breakfast, so much so that I regularly start my day with dinner leftovers. When I’m out to brunch, I can’t resist Mexican-inspired breakfast dishes like breakfast tacos, eggy burrito bowls and the simple-yet-essential huevos rancheros.

For the uninitiated, first things first: What are huevos rancheros? Huevos rancheros (“rancher’s eggs” in English) consist of crispy tortillas topped with fried eggs, salsa and optional toppings. The dish originated in Mexico, where farmers ate it as a hearty breakfast for all-day energy.

This huevos rancheros recipe layers smoky, refried black beans, sliced avocado, salsa, pico de gallo and fresh cilantro on top of a crispy corn tortilla for a fresh and flavorful meal. Of course, we can’t forget about the fried egg (this is an egg recipe, after all!). When you cut into it, the runny yolk becomes a delicious sauce that flows over the other ingredients.

How to Make Huevos Rancheros

This huevos rancheros recipe has four basic steps: lightly frying the tortillas until crisp and golden, sauteing onion and garlic with black beans, cooking the eggs, and assembling everything with garnishes and toppings.

Although it’s a four-part recipe, each ingredient takes only a few minutes to prepare, and they’re all cooked in the same skillet. Since we’ll be using the same pan to fry the tortillas, make the refried beans and cook the eggs, I recommend using a nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet to prevent the eggs from sticking. You’ll be digging into a plate of huevos rancheros in about 30 minutes!

Ingredients for Huevos Rancheros

• Tortillas: You’ll fry corn tortillas to create the sturdy base for this huevos rancheros recipe. If you want to go the extra mile, use homemade corn tortillas for an unbeatable fresh flavor. You can make huevos rancheros with flour tortillas if you prefer the taste, but be sure to buy the smaller 6-inch tortillas, not the jumbo burrito-size ones!
• Onion and garlic: Sauteed onion and garlic add flavor and texture to the black beans.
• Black beans: Use canned black beans to make a quick mashed bean spread for the tortillas. If you’re short on time, you can substitute store-bought refried beans for the onion, garlic, seasonings and black beans.
• Seasonings: Cumin and chili powder—common spices in Mexican cooking—are used to give the beans a smoky and mildly spicy flavor.
• Eggs: There are no huevos without eggs! You’ll need eight large eggs to make this recipe as written. If you’d like to make a single serving, scale back and use just one or two eggs. Save the leftover beans for another day, or use them as a bean dip with tortilla chips.
• Avocado: Fresh, buttery avocado garnishes each serving of huevos rancheros. You can slice or cube the avocados, or mash them to make quick guacamole.
• Salsa: Huevos rancheros are traditionally topped with red salsa, but any variety and level of hear works here. You could also use salsa verde or a homemade roasted salsa. To intensify the flavor of your salsa, try warming it in a saucepan before loading it on top of your huevos.
• Pico de gallo: Pico de gallo typically has a chunkier texture and fresher flavor than jarred salsa, but you get the best of both worlds with this recipe. Find prepared pico in the grocery store’s refrigerated section, or make your own with this copycat Chipotle pico de gallo recipe.
• Cilantro: A sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro adds brightness and fresh flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Fry the tortillas

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Heat the oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the corn tortillas and fry them for 30 to 60 seconds per side or until they’re crispy. Set the tortillas aside.

Editor’s Tip: Transferring the tortillas to a paper towel-lined plate will help drain excess oil for maximum crunch!

Step 2: Prepare the beans

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To the same skillet, add the onion and cook until it’s tender, three to four minutes.

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Stir in the garlic, chili powder, salt, cumin and pepper and cook for one minute longer. Add the black beans and two tablespoons of water and simmer them for three to four minutes until thickened.

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Transfer the mixture to a bowl and smash the beans with the back of a fork.

Step 3: Fry the eggs

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Reduce the heat to medium and coat the skillet with cooking spray. Crack the eggs, one at a time, into the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the whites of the eggs are set and the yolks begin to thicken. Flip the eggs once, if desired. Season the cooked eggs with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.

Editor’s Tip: Fry the eggs until the yolk is cooked to your preferred level of firmness, whether sunny-side up, over easy or over medium.

Step 4: Assemble the huevos rancheros

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Spread the black beans onto the fried tortillas.

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Top each tortilla with one fried egg. Top them with sliced avocado, salsa, pico de gallo and cilantro.

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Huevos Rancheros Variations

• Make cheesy huevos rancheros: Sprinkle your huevos with shredded pepper jack, Mexican blend cheese, or crumbled cotija. To make the cheese extra melty, layer it between the warm beans and eggs.
• Scramble the eggs: Huevos rancheros taste just as excellent when made with fluffy scrambled eggs. Cook the eggs in salsa to make the cousin dish to huevos rancheros: huevos a la mexicana.
• Add meat: Take inspiration from beefy huevos rancheros and cook ground beef, chorizo or chopped bacon separately. After you spread the beans on the tortillas, top them with meat and an egg.
• Turn up the heat: Garnish huevos rancheros with sliced jalapenos or hot sauce for a kick. For even more heat, use spicy salsa.

How to Store Huevos Rancheros

Huevos rancheros are best prepared fresh, but the leftover beans, tortillas and toppings can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat the beans in the microwave or on the stovetop, and fry fresh tortillas and eggs when you’re ready for another helping of huevos.

Can you freeze huevos rancheros?

The mashed black beans are the only freezer-friendly component of this huevos rancheros recipe. The tortillas and eggs are best prepared fresh. Try cooking a big batch of black beans in advance to cut down on morning breakfast prep.

Freeze individual portions of the beans in a silicone muffin tray or another divided container, then pop them into a storage bag and freeze them for up to three months. Thaw and reheat the beans in the microwave or on the stovetop before assembling your huevos rancheros.

Huevos Rancheros Tips

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Can you make huevos rancheros with scrambled eggs?

Yes, you can make huevos rancheros with scrambled eggs if you prefer them. While huevos rancheros are traditionally made with fried eggs, scrambled eggs are a delicious alternative. Instead of frying the eggs, whisk them before adding them to the pan, cook them to your desired consistency and slide them on top of the tortillas.

Can you make huevos rancheros gluten-free?

Gluten-free huevos rancheros are easy to make! If you’re using corn tortillas, make sure they’re certified gluten-free or prepare the recipe with your favorite gluten-free tortillas.

What can you serve with huevos rancheros?

For a satisfying breakfast, serve huevos rancheros with a fresh fruit salad and a hot cup of coffee. Or, keep the Mexican vibe going by brewing a batch of horchata to sip alongside your huevos; the sweet and creamy flavor will balance the bold, zippy flavors of huevos rancheros!