Description
Huevos Rancheros is a classic Mexican breakfast dish that is both hearty and flavorful. The name “Huevos Rancheros” translates to “Rancher’s Eggs,” reflecting its rustic, farm-style origins. Traditionally, this dish features crispy tortillas, sunny-side-up eggs, and a rich, homemade ranchero sauce, creating the perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, and spicy flavors.
This Easy Huevos Rancheros recipe is a simplified version that still delivers authentic flavors without requiring hours in the kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a quick dinner, this dish is vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be easily customized with toppings like avocado, cheese, and refried beans.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Ranchero Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar (to balance acidity, optional)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
For the Eggs & Tortillas:
- 4 large eggs
- 4 small corn tortillas
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil (for frying eggs)
Optional Toppings:
- 1 cup refried beans (for extra heartiness)
- ½ cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- Fresh lime wedges
- Hot sauce (for extra spice)
Instructions
1: Prepare the Ranchero Sauce
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and jalapeño (if using), and sauté until softened (about 3 minutes).
- Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juice) and season with salt, pepper, and sugar (if using).
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the chopped cilantro, then remove from heat and set aside.
2: Crisp the Tortillas
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, warm the corn tortillas for about 30 seconds per side, until slightly crispy but still pliable.
- If you prefer crunchier tortillas, lightly fry them in 1 teaspoon of oil until golden and crisp.
- Set them aside on a plate.
3: Cook the Eggs
- In a nonstick pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter or oil over medium heat.
- Crack the eggs into the pan, cooking them sunny-side-up until the whites are set but the yolks remain runny (about 3–4 minutes).
- For over-easy eggs, gently flip them and cook for 30 seconds more.
4: Assemble the Huevos Rancheros
- Spread a layer of refried beans (if using) on each tortilla.
- Spoon warm ranchero sauce over the beans.
- Place a fried egg on top of each tortilla.
- Sprinkle with cheese, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro.
- Drizzle with sour cream or Mexican crema, and serve with lime wedges and hot sauce on the
Notes
- For the crispiest tortillas, fry them in a small amount of hot oil until golden brown.
- Control the spice: If you prefer a milder dish, remove the seeds from the jalapeño before adding it to the sauce.
- Use fresh tortillas: Fresh corn tortillas have the best texture and flavor compared to pre-packaged ones.
- Make the sauce ahead: Ranchero sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 12g