New Mexico Style Huevos Rancheros

Experience the bold flavors of New Mexico with this hearty dish of Huevos Rancheros. A staple of Southwestern cuisine, these Huevos Rancheros feature crispy tostadas layered with a savory mixture of refried and whole pinto beans, seasoned with sautéed onions.

Topped with perfectly cooked sunny side up eggs, the dish is finished with a generous drizzle of red chile sauce and a sprinkle of melted cheddar cheese. Serve it piping hot for a satisfying breakfast or brunch that captures the essence of southwestern comfort food in every bite.

New Mexico Style Huevos Rancheros

Ingredients

4 teaspoons Vegetable Oil

1/4 cup chopped White Onion

1/3 cup of Refried Pinto Beans

1/3 cup of Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed

2 Tostadas

2 Medium Sized Corn Tortillas

1/2 cup Red Chile Sauce

4 Eggs

1/4 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

Step 1:

Heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium heat.

Once the oil is hot, add the onion and saute until translucent.

This will take about 5 minutes.

Then add the refried beans and pinto beans.

Stir to combine and heat until warm.

Step 2:

Warm the red chile sauce either in a saucepan or in the microwave.

Step 3:

To prepare the sunny side up eggs, heat the remaining vegetable oil in a skillet over high heat.

I like to crack all of the eggs into a bowl and then pour them into the skillet, this way they all go in at the same time and cook for the same amount of time.

Let the oil heat in the skillet over high heat for 30 seconds before you add the eggs.

Step 4:

As soon as you add the eggs, cover the skillet.

After 1 minute, reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Let the eggs cook for another 3 minutes.

At this point, the whites should be fully cooked and the yolks should be runny.

Step 5:

To assemble the huevos rancheros, place the tostadas on two plates and top with the bean and onion mixture.

Quickly heat the soft corn tortillas over a gas burner for 10 seconds or in the microwave.

Place the corn tortillas over the beans and onions.

Top with the eggs then spoon the red chile sauce over.

Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over.

Serve immediately.

Notes:

Preparation of Bean Mixture:

Saute chopped white onion until translucent before adding refried and whole pinto beans. This ensures the onions are cooked through and flavors meld together nicely.

Handling Red Chile Sauce:

Warm the red chile sauce separately before assembling the dish. This step ensures the sauce is hot and ready to complement the dish.

Cooking Sunny Side Up Eggs:

Use high heat initially to quickly set the egg whites, then reduce to low heat to gently cook the eggs through while keeping the yolks runny. Covering the skillet helps cook the eggs evenly.

Assembly of Huevos Rancheros:

Start with crispy tostadas as the base, followed by a layer of warm corn tortillas to soak up the flavors. Arrange the bean and onion mixture on top, followed by the eggs. Finish by generously spooning over the red chile sauce and sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese for added richness.

Serving:

Serve the huevos rancheros immediately after assembling to enjoy them at their best, with all components hot and flavors vibrant.

Customization:

Feel free to adjust the amount of red chile sauce or cheese according to personal preference. Additionally, garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, or a dollop of sour cream for added flair.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 2 | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the origin of Huevos Rancheros?

Huevos Rancheros is a traditional Mexican dish with origins in rural farm life.

It typically consists of fried eggs served on tortillas and smothered with a tomato chili sauce.

What is the key ingredient in this recipe that makes it “New Mexico Style”?

The key ingredient that makes this recipe “New Mexico Style” is the red chile sauce, which uses New Mexico’s renowned red chile peppers.

Can I make this recipe spicier?

Yes, if you prefer a spicier dish, you can use hotter chili peppers or increase the amount of red chile sauce in the recipe.

Are there any vegetarian alternatives to the meat in this dish?

Yes, you can replace the ground beef with plant-based protein alternatives like crumbled tofu or textured vegetable protein (TVP) for a vegetarian version.

Can I customize the toppings to suit my preferences?

Absolutely. Huevos Rancheros is versatile, and you can customize the toppings to your liking.

Common toppings include diced avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, or fresh cilantro.

What is the difference between tostadas and tortillas in this recipe?

In this recipe, tostadas are used as a crunchy base, while tortillas are used to layer the beans and onions.

Tostadas are essentially tortillas that have been toasted or fried until crispy.

Can I use canned red chile sauce or is homemade preferred?

You can use canned red chile sauce if you’re looking for a quicker option.

However, homemade sauce can provide a more authentic and customizable flavor.

Can I substitute the pinto beans with another type of bean?

Yes, you can substitute pinto beans with other beans like black beans or kidney beans, depending on your preference.

Are there alternatives to refried beans?

Yes, you can use whole cooked beans instead of refried beans if you prefer a different texture.

Can I make this dish spicier by adjusting the red chile sauce?

Absolutely, you can adjust the spiciness by using a hotter variety of red chiles or adding more red chile sauce to suit your taste.