A flavour packed Mexican breakfast recipe that will keep you full right up to lunch. This Huevos Rancheros recipe is an easy and healthy vegetarian breakfast dish that is ready in just 5 minutes.
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This isn't necessarily an authentic huevos rancheros recipe, so we have included some non-traditional accompaniments too, including cheese, sour cream and lettuce. This is a protein packed breakfast thanks to the eggs and beans, with a whole lots of flavour.
If you are looking for some more egg recipes, then why not try our protein packed Scrambled Eggs with Cottage Cheese, perfect Dippy Eggs recipe, easy Air Fryer Boiled Eggs, comforting Oven Egg and Chips or super quick Microwave Fried Eggs?
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What Is Huevos Rancheros?
Huevos Rancheros translates to "Rancher's Eggs" and is a traditional Mexican breakfast. The basic dish consists of fried eggs served on lightly fried or charred tortillas, topped with a tomato salsa. Common accompaniments are refried beans, rice, guacamole or sliced avocado.
Why You Will Love It
- Quick - These Mexican eggs are ready in 5 minutes.
- Something different for breakfast - If you are bored of having eggs the same way all the time, then this is something a bit different.
- Low in calories - Less than 300 calories per serving, and really filling.
- Easy to adapt - There are lots of ways to adapt this with different toppings.
Huevos Rancheros Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Eggs - Use fresh eggs for best results. We always choose high welfare eggs.
- Tortilla wraps - We use flour tortillas, as they are more flexible. But corn tortillas would still work.
- Refried beans - You could make your own, but we used a really good quality can. You can also use whole cooked black beans instead.
- Salsa - We have provided the recipe for our homemade salsa, however you could save yourself some time and use a good quality store bought one.
- Avocado - Make sure your avocado is ripe (but not too ripe) for the best flavour.
- Cheese - We used mature cheddar, as it has a strong flavour. But you could use Monterey jack instead.
Variations
Here are some suggestions for traditional (and non-traditional), ways to make huevos rancheros:
- Base: Use corn or flour tortillas and warm each one on both sides in a dry frying pan or skillet. You could use our Wholewheat Tortilla Wrap recipe, or even our Easy Flatbreads.
- Beans: Refried beans are the way to go in Huevos Rancheros, because they spread easily. You can use store bought or see below for instructions of how to make them.
- Salsa: The choice of salsa varies depending on how spicy you want to start your day. Again, you can use store bought, or use either our Pico de Gallo (mild), Restaurant Style Salsa (medium) or Salsa Picante (hot).
- Eggs: The fresher, the better. Fresh eggs hold together better and they also taste better. With eggs, you do get what you pay for, so make sure you use a good quality, free-range egg. They should be cooked so that the yolk is still runny. You could try our Microwave Fried Eggs too.
- Extras: Add some grated cheddar or crumbled feta. Slices of avocado or some of our Ultimate Guacamole always go well. Or maybe even some Spanish Rice. Make it more indulgent by adding some cooked chorizo.
How To Make Huevos Rancheros - Step By Step
- Step 1: Add the oil to a pan and then crack in 2 eggs. Cook for 3 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
- Step 2: Heat a separate dry pan and heat each tortilla on both sides.
- Step 3: Spread a tablespoon of refried beans on to each tortilla.
- Step 4: Add the egg and then top with salsa.
- Step 5: Add and extra toppings you like.
How To Make Refried Beans
- Cook a finely chopped onion until it has softened.
- Add garlic powder, chilli powder and cumin. Mix well. Add a can of drained pinto beans and 120ml (0.5 cup) of water. Stir and cover. Leave for 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and remove the lid. Using a potato masher, mash the beans, until you are happy with the consistency. Continue to cook the beans, uncovered for another 3 minutes. Stir regularly.
- Remove from the heat and stir in chopped coriander (cilantro) and juice of a lime.
What To Serve With Huevos Rancheros
This is a nice filling start to your day, so nothing else is really needed. You could of course eat this for lunch (or dinner), so if you want to make it into a larger meal, try some of the following with it:
Storage
Huervos Rancheros is such a quick meal to rustle up (providing you have the salsa and beans already made), that you won't need to store it. Once made, it really should be enjoyed immediately.
Extra Tips
- You don't have to use a fried egg - scrambled or poached egg work just as well.
- You can use store bought refried beans or make your own using the method above.
- Either flour, wholewheat or corn tortillas will work.
- We used grated cheddar for this, but crumbled feta also works really well.
Frequently Asked Questions
The only thing not gluten free in this recipe is the flour tortilla. Simply swap for a corn tortilla and you will have yourself gluten free huevos rancheros.
Traditionally, huevos rancheros is a vegetarian breakfast, but there is nothing to stop you from adding meat if you wanted. Add some chopped bacon, chopped chorizo, shredded chicken or pulled pork to make this into a more filling meal. Not a meat eater? Add some mushrooms, grilled halloumi, tofu or extra beans.
More Mexican Recipes
If you've tried this huevos rancheros recipe, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Huevos Rancheros
Ingredients
- 0.5 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Eggs
- 2 Tortilla wraps
- 2 tablespoon Refried beans
- 4 tablespoon Salsa
- 0.5 Avocado - sliced (optional)
- 20 g (0.25 cups) Cheese - grated (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 0.5 tablespoon Olive oil in a pan and then crack in 2 Eggs. Cook for 3 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
- Heat a separate dry pan and heat 2 Tortilla wraps on both sides.
- Spread a tablespoon of 2 tablespoon Refried beans on to each tortilla.
- Add the egg and then top with 4 tablespoon Salsa.
- Add 0.5 Avocado, 20 g Cheese and any extra toppings you like.
Recipe Tips
- You don't have to use a fried egg - our microwaved scrambled eggs or perfect poached egg work just as well.
- You can use store bought refried beans or make your own using the method above.
- Either flour, wholewheat or corn tortillas will work.
- We used grated cheddar for this, but crumbled feta also works really well.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Cheryl says
Looks yummy. But how do you eat these hue vos rancheros. Like a burrito or w fork....
Dannii says
With a fork, otherwise it gets VERY messy.
CakeSpy says
AWESOME!! I live in NM so this is a breakfast staple, but yours looks better than restaurant quality!!
Dannii says
I would eat so much Mexican food if I lived in New Mexico.
Abigail says
A hearty and filling breakfast! Love it!
Dannii says
It really is filling.
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Huevos rancheros is one of my most favorite breakfasts (outside pancakes). Deep, rich flavors. This is fantastic.
Dannii says
You have me craving pancakes now!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over says
LOVE huevos rancheros! Can't wait to give this a try!
Dannii says
It's my favourite breakfast at the moment.
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
I have all the ingredients to make these and fancy giving them a try. They look so yummy. I love Mexican food!
Dannii says
I hope you enjoy it Jemma.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I LOVE huevos rancheros - and basically anything with refried beans! Refried beans are my absolute favourite, I could eat them straight from the tin with a spoon ;)
Dannii says
I may have eaten them straight out of the tin. They are that good!
Debi @ Life Currents says
I could eat Mexican food for every meal, probably every day! And, Huevos Rancheros is one of my favorite breakfasts! Yours looks fabulous too!
Dannii says
There are so many things that you can do with the tortillas too.
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says
I love Mexican food too! I think that my hubby would really dig this recipe. He loves doing eggs with avocado and cheese for breakfast.
Dannii says
3 food that go so perfectly together.
Alison says
Every time I see this recipe I think of cowboys and their wagons, not sure why. Yours looks really tasty and loving the salsa
Dannii says
Haha, now I am going to think of that every time I see it.
Dave says
I loved the breakfasts we had in Mexico. I never thought that spicy food first thing would work - but it does.
This is one of my favourite breakfasts now. Those Mexicans now what they're doing!
Dannii says
Remember that beef stew you ate for breakfast one day? That was strange, but in a good way.
Camilla @FabFood4All says
I adore Mexican food as do my whole family - Love your dish and must try it:-)
Dannii says
Haha, we are the same. I put those jalapenoes on everything.
Margot @ Coffee & Vanilla says
Oh, that looks amazing and is so simple to make... I'm definitely giving it a go this weekend :)
Dannii says
I hope you enjoy it Margot!
Suzy @ The Mediterranean Dish says
I'll eat this glorious breakfast every day if I could!
Dannii says
Me too! I would never get bored of it.