Authentic New Mexican Huevos Rancheros

While technically a breakfast food, this delicious, easy dish can be had for any meal. Huevos Rancheros is a simple dish that can be altered depending on your tastes and the ingredients on hand. While this particular recipe doesn’t call for spanish rice, I know many people who like to add that to the fluffy bed of tortilla that huevos rancheros is served on. Other common additions not included in this recipe are avocado, lettuce, and bacon for the carnivores out there.

In case you were wondering, “huevos rancheros” translates to “rancher’s eggs”, as this comfort food developed on rural Mexican ranches and farmhouses.

An important aspect of the New Mexican rendition of huevos rancheros is the addition of New Mexican chile. I serve my huevos rancheros “Christmas style”, which features both chopped green chile and a red chile sauce. If you have the misfortune of living in a place where hatch chile is not available to you, chopped jalapenos and salsa are fine substitutions.

New Mexican Huevos Rancheros
Serves 4

4 Tortillas
1 can of pinto beans
4 eggs
3 medium to large potatoes
1 clove of garlic (chopped)
⅓ of an onion (chopped)
2 tbsps canola oil (for cooking potatoes)
Butter (for cooking eggs)
½ cup shredded cheddar
Red chile sauce
Chopped green chile

1. Shred the potatoes and set aside. Heat the canola oil in a medium pan at medium heat.
2. In the pan, saute the garlic and onion for about one minute. Add the potatoes to the pan in a light layer and cook to desired crispiness.
3. Warm tortillas by placing in heated pan or directly on the flame of a gas stove for about 10 seconds on each side. Place on intended serving plates and set aside.
4. Drain pinto beans and warm on low heat in small pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Prepare eggs as desired in medium pan with melted butter. My preference for huevos rancheros is over-easy, but many enjoy scrambled or sunny side up.
6. As eggs near completion, add chopped green chile to the eggs.
7. Place prepared eggs, beans, and potatoes on top of the tortillas.
8. Smother dish with desired amount of cheese and red chile sauce
9. Garnish as desired
10. Enjoy!

Huevos rancheros is best enjoyed by cutting up and mixing all of the foods on the tortilla.