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This huevos rancheros recipe is a classic spicy Mexican dish that turns eggs and beans into a savory breakfast tostada.
Huevos rancheros are a favorite breakfast with a kick. For more fabulous Mexican breakfast recipes, try Breakfast Tacos, Breakfast Burritos, and Chorizo and Eggs.
A Spicy Breakfast to Love
Huevos ranchero (weh-vohs ran-chair-ohs) translates to rancher’s eggs or ranch-style eggs. So it’s no surprise to find out that they are 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!
More reasons why we love it:
- A 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 version 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
- vegetable oil
- yellow corn tortillas – instead of frying corn tortillas you can use tostadas.
- homemade red enchilada sauce – or use store-bought or even Homemade Salsa or Pico de Gallo.
- refried beans – instead of making your own beans you can use black beans or creamy Guacamole.
- Crisco shortening
- milk
- cheese
- avocado
- Mexican Crema
- Queso Fresco
- cilantro
- fried eggs – My favorite is sunny side up, but you can also use over-easy, poached, or even scrambled.
A Quick, Mexican-style Breakfast
- TORTILLAS. 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.
- ENCHILADA SAUCE. In another skillet, heat up the enchilada sauce (we love our homemade red sauce recipe).
- BEANS. 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.
- EGGS. Using the same frying pan where you fried tortillas, fry the eggs to your preference (runny, well done).
- ASSEMBLE + SERVE! Transfer two tortillas side by side onto a plate. Add some refried beans and spread it over tortillas.
- Add some enchilada sauce (a large spoonful) and spread over the beans.
- Place your fried eggs on tortillas and then finish with more sauce on top, avocado, crema, cilantro, and queso fresco.
How to fry a sunny-side-up egg
There are many different types of eggs that you can use to top this huevos rancheros recipe. My favorite is sunny side up, but you can also use it over easy, poached, or even Scrambled Eggs.
The following step shows you how to make a simple sunny-side-up egg.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.
- Coat the bottom of the pan with a light layer of butter or olive oil.
- Crack an egg over the top of the skillet. Do not mix.
- Sprinkle on some salt and pepper if desired.
- Cook until the egg whites go from clear to solid white. The yolk should be intact.
- Use a spatula to transfer the fried egg onto the huevos ranchero.
Variations
- The fried corn tortilla can be replaced with a flour tortilla or fried flour tortilla.
- Fried egg. My favorite is sunny side up, but you can also use over-easy, poached, or even Scrambled.
- Enchilada sauce can be swapped for Homemade Salsa or Pico de Gallo.
- Refried Beans can be swapped for black beans or creamy Guacamole.
- Additional toppings to use include:
- Add a layer of Spanish Rice.
- Add a layer Carne Asada or Pork Carnitas.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, Cotija cheese, diced tomatoes, Mexican creme, sour cream, red onion, corn, jalapeño, hot sauce, diced avocados, and spritz on some lime juice.
Storing leftovers
- STORE. This huevos rancheros recipe is best served fresh. If you have leftover ingredients, store them in separate containers. Keep assembled leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours.
- Reheat huevos rancheros in the microwave or oven.
More Mexican Dishes:
Huevos Rancheros Recipe
This huevos rancheros recipe is a classic spicy Mexican dish that turns eggs and beans into a savory breakfast tostada.
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 yellow corn tortillas
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce, homemade
Creamy Refried Beans:
- 30 ounces Refried Beans
- ¼ cup crisco shortening
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1-2 cups cheese
Toppings:
- Avocado
- Mexican Crema
- Queso Fresco
- Cilantro
- 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, fry the eggs to your preference (runny, well done).
- Transfer two tortillas side by side onto a plate. Add some refried beans and spread it over tortillas.
- Add some enchilada sauce (a large spoonful) and spread over the beans.
- Place your fried eggs on tortillas and then finish with more sauce on top, avocado, crema, cilantro, and queso fresco.
Video
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.
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.