This New Mexican huevos rancheros is an easy, hearty breakfast topped with a smoky enchilada sauce. This recipe is easy enough for a quick weekday breakfast, but you’ll love this simple dish for brunch on the weekends.
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Why this recipe works
Delicious - start your day with some spice! This is sure to become one of your favorite Mexican breakfasts when you're craving something other than your typical breakfast of oatmeal or granola.
Filling - this well balanced breakfast is packed with protein and will keep you fueled all morning.
Easy - you'll love how easy this authentic Mexican recipe is! The beauty of Mexican food is that it is easy to make ingredient substitutions based on what you might have on hand.
Check out all my Mexican inspired and Tex Mex recipes!
Ingredients
Authentic enchilada sauce - this simple New Mexico red chile sauce is made from powdered Hatch New Mexico red chile. You can check out my easy recipe, or you can use canned enchilada sauce, ranchero sauce, or even just some salsa or pico de gallo as your topping. Green chile sauce is another great alternative.
Oil - use a mild flavored oil like canola, or vegetable oil to fry the tortillas.
Corn tortillas - corn tortillas are traditional. They are naturally gluten free, but it's always best to check labels to be sure. You can use blue corn tortillas if you can find them. You can also try flour tortillas for a change of pace, or if that's what you prefer. I still recommend lightly frying them to keep them from getting gummy.
Refried beans - both pinto beans and black beans are common in New Mexico and Mexico. Both taste great with this dish and can be used interchangeably. You can also use whole beans such as my Instant Pot Mexican beans.
Eggs - you can prepare your eggs how you like them. I like mine over easy because runny yolks is key! You will usually see this recipe with sunny side up eggs, but you could make them scrambled if that's what you like.
Cheese - I like to melt a little bit of cheddar cheese on top of my fried eggs, but you can try pepper Jack, or even queso fresco. Cotija cheese is also very good and gives the dish a distinct salty flavor.
Additional toppings - sliced avocado, sour cream, salsa verde, sliced jalapeño peppers, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and/or finely chopped white onion are just a few ideas to top this classic Mexican breakfast.
Instructions
- If making my authentic enchilada sauce, be sure and prepare that first.
- Heat the sauce and beans you're using and keep warm.
- In a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat, add oil being sure to coat the bottom of the pan. A non-stick pan works best.
- Place corn tortillas in the pan and lightly fry on both sides, about one or two minutes per side. You want them to be slightly crisp but still pliable. Turn the heat to medium if they are cooking too quickly. Remove to a plate that's lined with paper towels.
- Heat a little oil in the same skillet and turn to medium heat. Crack eggs into hot oil and fry until they are cooked how you like them. Adjust to low heat if needed. Salt and pepper eggs as desired Top with cheese of choice.
- Spread each corn tortilla with refried beans or warm pinto beans. Top beans with fried eggs.
- Top with red chile sauce and any additional toppings.
Quick facts
Huevos rancheros translates in English to rancher's eggs or ranch-style eggs. It's a common breakfast rooted in the rural Mexican cooking style found on ranches and farms. The dish varies by region but usually consists of eggs, beans, tortillas, rice, and some sort of red or green sauce.
While huevos rancheros can be made or served without meat, the dish consists of eggs and cheese, which are from animal sources. Refried beans are typically made with lard, so it's best to check labels if you aren't making the recipe from scratch.
Top tips
- You can make this New Mexican huevos rancheros with New Mexico green chile, such as Hatch canned enchilada sauce.
- Top one egg with red chile sauce and the other egg with green chile sauce for "Christmas" huevos rancheros.
- Use tongs to flip tortillas.
- Try not to overcook your eggs if you're after a runny egg yolk. A non-stick pan is the best way to make eggs.
- Keep warm on a baking sheet in a 300 degree F oven for up to 30 minutes.
How to store and reheat
Keep your leftover New Mexican huevos rancheros covered in the refrigerator for a day or two. For best results, remove toppings like avocado slices or guacamole and store those separately.
Reheat in the microwave until warmed.
What goes good with New Mexican huevos rancheros?
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New Mexican Huevos Rancheros
Ingredients
- 2 -3 tablespoon oil mild flavored, like canola
- 4 corn tortillas
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup refried beans warmed
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- ½ cup authentic enchilada sauce warmed
Toppings
- Avocado slices
- Finely chopped onion
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- If making my authentic enchilada sauce, be sure and prepare that first.
- Heat the sauce and beans you're using and keep warm.
- In a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat, add some oil being sure to coat the bottom of the pan. A non-stick pan works best.
- Place corn tortillas in the pan and lightly fry on both sides, about one or two minutes per side. You want them to be slightly crisp but still pliable. Turn the heat to medium if they are cooking too quickly. Remove to a plate that's lined with paper towels.
- Heat a little oil in the same skillet and turn to medium heat. Crack eggs into hot oil and fry until they are cooked how you like them. Adjust to low heat if needed. Salt and pepper eggs as desired. Top each egg with about 2 tablespoon of cheese and allow to melt.
- Spread each corn tortilla with about 2 tablespoon of refried beans or warm pinto beans. Top beans with fried eggs, warmed sauce, and any other toppings.
Margaret Gross
I am from New Mexico and live in New Mexico. I have eaten and made my fair share of Huevos Rancheros. 1) Use corn tortillas and fry them up in a NEUTRAL tasting oil. 2) The beans, whole or refried, are served on the side with fried potatoes or hashbrowns. 3) There is some kind of breakfast meat involved, including pork breakfast sausage (pattie or link), bacon, and/or ham. 4) It can be served with NM red chile sauce or NM green chile sauce (not "enchilada" sauce). 6) Once you put your sauce over the eggs, sprinkle with cheese and pop the plate in the oven so the cheese melts. Dress with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, chopped green onion, and avocado slices. Cilantro is not traditional.