Huevos Rancheros

Updated Nov. 13, 2023

Huevos Rancheros
Sang An for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks.
Total Time
45 minutes
Rating
4(1,787)
Comments
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Eggs “rancher’s style” is a traditional, hearty Mexican breakfast typically enjoyed after a hard morning’s work. But huevos rancheros also makes for a satisfying and comforting weeknight dinner. The simple yet flavorful homemade salsa comes together quickly and is smartly used in three ways: a quick simmer transforms the salsa into the warm ranchero sauce; it adds a zesty flavor that shines through in the smoky refried beans; and it gives a final fresh finish as a tangy topping. Any leftover ranchero sauce and refried beans make for great dips the next day.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 2pounds ripe tomatoes
  • ½ medium white onion
  • 2tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1small jalapeño
  • ¼cup cilantro leaves, plus more for serving
  • 1ripe avocado
  • 2teaspoons kosher salt, such as Diamond Crystal, plus more for seasoning
  • ½teaspoon grated garlic
  • ¼cup neutral oil, such as safflower or canola
  • 2(15-ounce) cans black beans
  • ¾teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 8large eggs
  • 8(6-inch) warmed corn tortillas
  • Crumbled queso fresco, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

694 calories; 29 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 8 grams polyunsaturated fat; 79 grams carbohydrates; 24 grams dietary fiber; 9 grams sugars; 37 grams protein; 589 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Dice the tomatoes, finely chop the onion, stem and mince the jalapeño, chop the cilantro and halve, pit, peel and slice the avocado. Reserve the cilantro and avocado. In a medium saucepan, combine tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, jalapeño, 2 teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon of the garlic, and mix well. Transfer 1½ cups of the fresh salsa to a bowl and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Cook the remaining salsa over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes soften and the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Transfer the ranchero sauce to a bowl and cover to keep warm (you should have about 2 cups).

    Image of finished ranchero sauce in a pot on the stove for making Huevos Rancheros.
  3. Step 3

    In the same saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium. Add the remaining ¼ teaspoon garlic and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the beans (and their liquid), cumin, smoked paprika and ½ cup of the reserved fresh salsa, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently and mashing with the back of a spoon or potato masher, until the mixture is smooth and thick, about 10 minutes. Season with salt to taste and remove from heat.

    Image of black beans in a pot with a masher for making Huevos Rancheros.
  4. Step 4

    In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium. Crack in 4 of the eggs and cook undisturbed until whites are set but yolks are still runny, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large plate and repeat with the remaining oil and eggs.

    Image of four cracked eggs in a skillet for making Huevos Rancheros
  5. Step 5

    Meanwhile, stir the cilantro into the remaining 1 cup reserved salsa. Divide the tortillas across 4 plates (2 per plate). Spread refried black beans on the tortillas and top each with an egg. Cover the eggs with ranchero sauce. Divide avocado on the plates and garnish with some of the fresh salsa, queso fresco and cilantro.

    Image of beans being spread on corn tortillas with a spoon for making Huevos Rancheros.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
1,787 user ratings
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Comments

In Yucatan, we have a unique dish called Huevos Motuleños (named for the city of Motul, where the inventor still serves them in her restaurant in the Public Market). Put 2 eggs in a frying pan and get them going. Then drop a tortilla in another frying pan. Spread some refried beans on it and heat it up. Put the fried egg on top, then some chopped-up ham and maybe a teaspoon of green peas. Grate some cheese over it all and heat until the cheese starts to melt. Plate it and top with salsa.

Salsa ranchera is a basic, and descriptive, term referring to a smooth blender sauce made with raw blended tomatoes, onion, serrano chiles, and possibly garlic and cilantro. The sauce is then "seasoned" by frying in a small amount of oil and cooked about five minutes to keep the flavor fresh. True "huevos rancheros" is a simple and glorious dish of lightly fried tortilla topped with fried egg drowned in salsa ranchera. No cheese, no beans, no cream.

I recommend frying tortillas as well, it brings out more flavor. Don’t fry too long, 10 seconds on each side. Don’t warm in microwave, use griddle or pan.

Easy and a great weeknight meal. I had made the salsa earlier in the day by broiling/charring the tomatoes, pepper, onion and garlic in the oven and then blitzing in a blender with lime and cilantro. I cheated on the tortillas by sprinkling some tortilla chips on top instead.

This recipe was fabulous, I warmed the tortillas in the oven and they were a perfect combination of warm and soft, zested the lemon before juicing for an added zing, next time I will try the suggestion of poaching the eggs in the salsa.

I too like the recipe as written. The salsa ranchero and black beans were awesome and I’ll make in batches for other delicious meals.

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