New Mexican Huevos Rancheros Recipe: The perfect breakfast

This is one of my favorite Mexican breakfasts to serve in the morning. My New Mexican Huevos Rancheros Recipe is perfect for outdoor cooking and is one of my camping breakfast ideas you should try the next time you make a morning meal at camp.

New Mexican Huevos Rancheros by CampingForFoodies features a blue camping plate filled with a golden brown fried tortilla topped with beans, a fried egg, red salsa, drizzle of sour cream, crumbled queso fresco cheese and bright green cilantro with a background of mountains under a cloudy sky.
New Mexican Huevos Rancheros by CampingForFoodies

Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.

How I’ve Made It Easy

This classic Mexican breakfast is commonly served on Mexican farms. The dish’s name, rancher’s eggs (huevos = eggs and rancheros = rancher or ranchman) is typically a simple but hearty breakfast featuring a fried egg on a corn tortilla and topped with warmed salsa.

An authentic Mexican recipe usually starts with a homemade New Mexico red chile sauce that combines tomatoes, white onion and garlic in a food processor or blender to make a smooth tomato sauce. Flavors are added by stirring in spices like cumin, red chile powder and oregano.

A typical breakfast at camp doesn’t include ingredients requiring the use of electric appliances. So, to make this easy huevos rancheros recipe at the campsite, I’m using a prepare picante sauce. I love homemade corn tortillas but I’m using a store-bought prepared soft corn tortilla to keep it simple.


Recipe Prep

One of the great things about this breakfast is that no chopping is required! You’ll just need to get your ingredients and cooking equipment ready.

Camp Cooking Tip: I like making all of the components of ranch-style eggs at the same time so I use 4 pans and serve directly out of them. Traditionally, the tortillas are fried in about one inch canola oil then removed. The ranch eggs are fried directly in that oil. I prefer cooking the eggs in butter so I use a separate pan.


Cooking Methods & Equipment

If you have a 2-burner stove and you want to make this as one of your camp stove recipes, you’ll be heating the beans and frying the tortillas first, then warming the sauce and frying the eggs last.

If you have a large enough grate and you want to make this as one of your campfire recipes, you can have all of the elements of this dish cooking at the same time.


Recipe Steps

Step 1. Prepare your ingredients, heat source and equipment as directed.

Step 2. Heat the beans. Place a large saucepan over medium heat to warm the beans.

Step 3. Heat the sauce. Pour picante sauce in a medium saucepan and cook till warm over medium low heat.

Step 4. Fry the tortillas. In a small skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat and fry tortillas. Remove from pan, let drain on paper towels. Set aside and keep warm.

Note: This is a great gluten free camping food option that uses corn tortillas. If you substitute a different type of tortilla, you may be adding gluten to this dish.

Camp Cooking Tip: Use a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven when frying. It’s a great way to keep your equipment well-seasoned and in good condition.

kim cooking outdoors
Send me FREE camping tips!

I want "5 Secrets To Successful Camping Trips" plus weekly camping tips & recipes.

Step 5. Fry the eggs. Melt butter in a frying pan, crack eggs into pan and season with salt and pepper.

Camp Cooking Tip: Traditionally this dish is served with sunny-side-up eggs with runny yolks. But, cook them to your likeness. You can even do a version with egg whites without without yolks if that’s your preference.

Step 6. Assemble the dish. Layer the ingredients in this order: tortilla, beans, egg and warm salsa. Add optional toppings, if desired.


Substitutions

Corn tortillas are smaller than other types of tortillas. If you substitute a different type, make sure you are using the street taco size.


What To Serve With This Recipe

This dish is an entire meal on its own so you really only need to add a beverage on the side. I like serving a small cup of coffee or a tall glass of orange juice. Here’s tips on how to make coffee when camping.

If you have meat eaters in your group, you may want to serve a side of bacon or breakfast sausage with this meal. Bottom line is, you’ve gotta keep your campers happy!

Meal Planning

YouTube video

Use my camping menu planner to stay organized when planning meals for your next trip. It’s FREE and you’ll get it delivered instantly to your inbox!

Camping Menu Template Meal Planner Free Printable by CampingForFoodies features a collage of free camping printables including a camping menu planner template, a campfire stew recipe card and a healthy no cook camping salad with text over the image that reads free camping menu template, tips and recipe ideas.

Scaling Servings

For serving larger groups of people, you’ll want to start an assembly line. It’s easy to keep the beans and sauce warm but you’ll have to keep doing the tortillas and eggs as you serve people.


Similar Recipes

If you like this meal, you should also try these!


Print This Recipe

New Mexican Huevos Rancheros by CampingForFoodies features a blue camping plate filled with a golden brown fried tortilla topped with beans, a fried egg, red salsa, drizzle of sour cream, crumbled queso fresco cheese and bright green cilantro with a background of mountains under a cloudy sky.

New Mexican Huevos Rancheros Recipe

Camping For Foodies Breakfast Camping Recipes: This is one of my favorite Mexican breakfasts. It is perfect for outdoor campsite cooking.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast Camping Recipes
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 702kcal
Author: Kim Hanna

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans (can substitute refried beans or pinto beans)
  • 1 (16 oz) jar picante tomato salsa (if you prefer green over red, substitute salsa verde or green chile sauce)
  • 4 soft corn tortillas if you prefer white over yellow, substitute small flour tortillas
  • 1 cup vegetable oil canola oil or olive oil

Optional topping suggestions:

  • Cotija cheese, cheddar cheese or queso fresco
  • Fresh salsa, diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
  • Guacamole or avocado slices tossed in lime juice
  • Green chilies, jalapeno or serrano peppers
  • Sour cream
  • Green onions
  • Cilantro

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan, heat the beans over medium heat.
  • In a medium saucepan, warm the picante sauce over medium low heat.
  • Fry tortillas. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat and fry tortillas until they are lightly crispy. Remove from pan and let drain on plate lined with paper towels. Set warm tortillas aside, cover plate to keep warm. (see * Note)
  • In a frying pan, melt butter and fry the eggs, season with salt and pepper. (see ** Note + see *** Note)
  • Assemble the dish by layering ingredients in this order:
  • Place tortillas on individual serving plates
  • Divide beans spreading them over the top of the tortillas
  • Place eggs over beans.
  • Spoon warm salsa mixture over eggs.
  • Top with hot sauce and optional toppings, if desired. (see **** Note)

Notes

*NOTE: Use tongs to gently place tortillas into the hot oil. Fry them one at a time, about 20 seconds per side, you’re looking for a slightly crispy yet pliable texture, not hard crunchy texture like tortilla chips.
**NOTE: If you want to cook all of the eggs at the same time, use a large skillet but I find it easier to cook the eggs 1 serving at a time in a small pan.
***NOTE: Traditional huevos rancheros are served with sunny side up fried eggs that have runny yolks. If you don’t like runny egg yolks, just cook them your favorite ways, scrambled or over easy eggs are fine, you just won’t have the creamy consistency you get when the runny yolk mixes with the warm salsa.
****Note: An authentic huevos rancheros recipe consists of tortillas, ranchero sauce, refried beans and fried eggs. If you like to jazz up your Mexican food with different versions, try some optional toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 702kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 71g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 33g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 194mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 589IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

More Yummy Meal Ideas

There’s a first time for everything. The first thing you need to do is find some new recipe ideas for your next trip!

If you’re looking for awesome ideas for yummy camping food, you’re in the right place! Here’s our entire camping recipes list.

Get FREE camping tips and meal ideas emailed to you!

What do you think?

Leave me a comment, question or suggestion below. I’d love to hear from you so let’s chat.

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating