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If you like a little kick in your breakfast (like we do), you’ll LOVE this authentic huevos rancheros recipe and Mexican classic.
Huevos ranchero (weh-vohs ran-chair-ohs) translates to rancher’s eggs or ranch-style eggs. So it’s no surprise this huevos rancheros recipe is a traditional mid-morning meal out on a Mexican ranch.
Being Hispanic, we grew up having these in our family and we LOVE how delicious they are. With refried beans, enchilada sauce, and our favorite taco toppings, they have plenty of our favorite flavors. Plus, they’re EASY! From start to finish, huevos rancheros are on the table in under 30 minutes!
For more fabulous Mexican breakfast recipes, try Breakfast Tacos, Breakfast Burritos, and Chorizo and Eggs.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Breakfast or dinner. This tasty dish is a mouthwateringly spicy breakfast option or a favorite for dinner (or even a great Breakfast for Dinner idea)!
- Mexican flavor. My favorite huevos rancheros recipe contains Refried Beans spread onto a lightly fried corn tortilla topped with a fried egg, Red Enchilada Sauce, Mexican crema, queso fresco, avocado, and cilantro.
- On the table in no time. From start to finish, this is on the table in under 30 minutes. That’s my kind of quick dinner idea!
Huevos Rancheros Ingredients and Substitutions
Tortilla Chips
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 yellow corn tortillas – or already fried tostadas
- 2 cups homemade Red Enchilada Sauce – or use store-bought or Pico de Gallo
Creamy Refried Beans
- 2 (16-ounce) cans refried beans – store-bought or homemade Canned Refried Beans, or use black beans or creamy Guacamole
- ¼ cup Crisco shortening – or another shortening brand
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1-2 cups cheese – shredded cheddar cheese, Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese, or a Mexican cheese blend. We HIGHLY recommend shredding your own cheese since it melts so much better than pre-shredded!
Toppings
- avocado
- Mexican Crema – A rich, smooth, and slightly tangy dairy product similar to sour cream.
- Queso Fresco – or try queso blanco, feta, cotija, or Farmer’s cheese
- fresh cilantro
- 4 fried eggs – Our favorite is sunny side up, but you can also use over-easy, poached, or scrambled.
- more toppings – fresh diced tomatoes, red onion, corn, jalapeño, hot sauce, spritz on some lime juice, Homemade Salsa, or Pico de Gallo
How to Make Huevos Rancheros
- TORTILLAS. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add one tortilla at a time, flipping once, until lightly brown and crisp.
- Drain the freshly fried tortilla on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process until all 4 tortillas are fried, adding more oil if needed.
- ENCHILADA SAUCE. In another skillet, heat the red enchilada sauce.
- BEANS. While the enchilada sauce is heating, combine refried beans, shortening, and milk in a pot over medium heat. Stir vigorously with a fork or wire whisk until silky smooth. Add 1-2 cups shredded cheese and let melt before serving.
- EGGS. Using the same frying pan where you fried tortillas, pour the oil in a bowl to cool and fry the eggs to your preference (sunny side up, over-easy, poached, or scrambled).
- ASSEMBLE + SERVE! Transfer two tortillas side by side onto a plate. Add some refried beans and spread it over tortillas.
- Add enchilada sauce (a large spoonful) and spread over the beans.
- Place 1 fried egg on each tortilla and finish with more enchilada sauce on top. Add avocado, crema, cilantro, and queso fresco to each plate.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- While substitutions can be used, the most authentic huevos rancheros recipe uses the main ingredients listed above.
- We use sunny-side-up eggs. Crack an egg in the skillet, keep the yolk intact, and fry for about 2-3 minutes.
Huevos Rancheros Recipe
This huevos rancheros recipe is a classic spicy Mexican dish that turns eggs and beans into a savory breakfast tostada.
Ingredients
Chips
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 yellow corn tortillas
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce, homemade or store-bought
Refried Beans
- 30 ounces refried beans
- ¼ cup crisco shortening
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1-2 cups cheese
Toppings
- avocado
- Mexican Crema
- Queso Fresco
- cilantro
- 4 fried eggs
Instructions
- Heat ½ cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add one tortilla at a time, flipping once, until lightly brown and crisp.
- Drain the freshly fried tortilla on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process until all tortillas are fried, adding more oil if needed.
- In another skillet, heat the enchilada sauce.
- While enchilada sauce is heating up, make beans by combining refried beans, shortening, and milk in a pot over medium heat. Stir vigorously with a fork or wire whisk until silky smooth. Add cheese and let melt before serving.
- Using the same frying pan where you fried tortillas, pour the oil in a bowl to cool and fry the eggs to your preference (runny, sunny side up, well done).
- Transfer two tortillas side by side onto a plate. Add some refried beans and spread it over tortillas.
- Add enchilada sauce (a large spoonful) and spread over the beans.
- Place your fried eggs on tortillas and finish with more sauce on top, avocado, crema, cilantro, and queso fresco.
Video
Notes
Recipe Tips.
- While substitutions can be used, for the most authentic dish use the main ingredients listed.
- We use sunny-side-up eggs. Crack an egg in the skillet, keep the yolk intact, and fry for about 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 500kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 2475mg, Potassium: 131mg, Fiber: 13g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 1326IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 341mg, Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Prep ahead of time?
The tortillas can be fried 1-2 days in advance, and the refried beans can be made 1-2 days in advance and refrigerated. Just reheat when ready to use.
How to store?
This huevos rancheros recipe is best served fresh. If you have leftover ingredients, store them in separate containers. Keep assembled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe
45 mins
How to Make Guacamole
10 mins
Fruit Salad Recipe
1 hr 20 mins
Avocado Cream Sauce
10 mins
Drinks
Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe
30 mins
Horchata Recipe
12 hrs 10 mins
Orange Juice Smoothie
5 mins
Fruit Smoothie
5 mins
Mexican Breakfast Ideas
Collections
This recipe was originally published March 2023.
I really like how many of your recipes utilize the same ingredients Im able to use a pot of refried beans for this recipe, tostadas, bean burros and more.
This was such a good recipe I served it for breakfast and it was just like my mother when I was young Yummy
That makes us so happy to hear! So glad you enjoyed the Huevos Rancheros!
Super delicious! Loved it! One of my favorites!
Mmmmm so good!
This is a delicious dish that I eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everyone in the family loves it and it’s always very filling. Thank you!
My husband loves these rancheros.
These have become my favorite dish. They are so amazing and flavorful.
We like to make ours with refried black beans. I also have to keep from making it very spicey. Good recipe.
Thanks for sharing what you do!
For people who can’t tolerate cilantro: I am one of those people. When a recipe calls for cilantro, I successfully swap for basil. my basil guac is very popular.
I haven’t made these before, but I am definitely going to try them soon! They look amazing and not too difficult.