Huevos Ahogados is a classic Mexican Breakfast dish of eggs poached in a smoky tomato salsa. It’s also perfect served for lunch, dinner, or anytime in between.
Eggs In Salsa
This Mexican recipe is very similar to the Middle Eastern egg dish Shakshuka. I would not be surprised that it was inspired by them! Huevos Ahogados are comforting and pretty darn easy to make at home.
Once you’ve learned the few keys to success, which are outlined below, you’ll be well-equipped to make this authentic recipe whenever you want, whether for brunch or an easy weeknight dinner.
One thing you’ll notice about this recipe is that we don’t need any oils to cook the eggs! Since they’ll be cooking in the salsa, they won’t be sticking to the pan. Win win!
Why you’ll love this recipe
*** Make sure to read the entire blog post. Every step matters since I provide helpful tips along the way!
Ingredients
For this recipe we’re making a roasted salsa roja (red salsa) but these eggs can also be made with a green one like this delicious Tomatillo salsa.
Roasted Tomato Salsa
- Tomatoes: I’m using roma tomatoes but you can use your favorite red kind.
- Onion: White or yellow will work.
- Jalapeños
- Serrano pepper
- A garlic clove
- Water or vegetable broth (preferably)
- Salt & pepper
- Chicken bullion or Better Than Bullion (no chicken base).
The Eggs
- 4 to 5 eggs
How To Make Huevos Ahogados
Making Huevos Ahogados is very simple but it does involve a two step process. First you make the salsa then you cook the eggs IN the salsa.
Top tip: You can make the salsa ahead of time and just reheat when ready to use
Make The Salsa
- Place the tomatoes, garlic, jalapeños and serrano peppers on a comal or skillet lined with aluminum foil wrap.
- Char/roast over medium high heat until they start showing brown spots. Turn them to all sides to get an even roasting. The tomatoes should be soft and slightly charred when done.
- Remove the tomatoes core with a knife. Doing this after the tomatoes are cooked, prevents from the juices coming out during the charring process. It helps to keep the juices in the tomato.
- Place them in a blender or food processor along with the garlic, peppers, water or broth, salt & pepper and better than bullion.
- Blend until there are no big chunks.
- Heat a medium sized pot or a large stainless steel pan, over medium high heat and add the blended salsa. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more salt & pepper if needed.
Cook The Eggs
- Crack eggs into a small bowl first then gently place one egg at the time over tomatoes salsa.
- Spoon some salsa on top of the egg and cover the pot/pan with a lid.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes. The eggs are done when the egg whites are no longer clear. If you like the eggs runny, cook for about 5 minutes.
Huevos Ahogados Serving Suggestions
There is no right or wrong way to serve this tasty dish, but in my opinion, corn or flour tortillas are essential. You can serve with a side of beans for a more complete meal.
- Pick your favorite toppings:
- Crumbled queso fresco,
- Mexican pickled onions,
- drizzle with Mexican crema
- Cilantro.
- Avocado
- Radishes
Chef’s Tips and Notes
Follow these cooking tips to cook the eggs just right! I like my eggs that are soft-cooked with set whites and medium yolks, so that when you slice into an egg, the yolk breaks and mingles with the sauce. But if you like firmer yolks, cook for an extra minute or so.
- Control the heat. The eggs will start cooking as soon as they hit the salsa. Make sure the salsa is not boiling when you crack the eggs into it. Cook them in a gentle simmer at medium-low heat.
- Spoon some of the salsa over the eggs. After breaking the eggs into the sauce, gently spoon some of the tomato salsa over just the eggs. If you like the yolks to be more runny, don’t spoon salsa over the yolks.
- Cover and rotate. Covering the skillet allows the eggs to steam-cook, which moves things along. As soon as the whites are set and the eggs jiggle a bit in the center, they’re done.
How to Store
- Fridge: Leftovers will keep for 1 to 2 days if stored properly in the fridge in tight-lid glass containers.
- Freezing is not recommended as it will change the texture of the salsa
Reheating
- Warm up over medium heat in a skillet, adding a little more liquid like water or chicken broth to the salsa if needed.
Mexican Breakfasts Recipes
If you love these Huevos Ahogados, also try one of these classic Mexican breakfast recipes next:
I hope you like this recipe! Share it, or leave a rating and comment below. For questions that need an answer right away, please contact me and I’ll get back to you asap. Gracias!!!! xx, Ana
Print Recipe:
Huevos Ahogados Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 medium roma tomatoes
- ⅛ medium onion
- 2 fresh jalapeños remove stems
- 1 serrano pepper remove stems, optional for a spicy salsa
- 1 garlic clove
- ¾ cup water or vegetable broth
- salt & pepper
- ½ teaspoon Better Than Bullion (no chicken base).
- 4 eggs
Instructions
Make The Salsa
- Place the tomatoes, garlic, jalapeños and serrano peppers on a comal or skillet lined with aluminum foil wrap.
- Char/roast over medium high heat until they start showing brown spots. Turn them to all sides to get an even roasting. The tomatoes should be soft and slightly charred when done.
- Remove the tomatoes core and place them in a blender along with the garlic, peppers, water or broth, salt & pepper and better than bullion.
- Blend until there are no big chunks
- Heat a medium sized pot or a large stainless steel pan, over medium high heat and add the blended salsa. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more salt & pepper if needed.
Cook The Eggs
- Crack eggs into a small bowl first then gently place one egg at the time over tomatoes salsa. Spoon some salsa on top of the egg and cover the pot/pan with a lid.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 7 to 8 minutes. The eggs are done when the egg whites are no longer clear. If you like the eggs runny, cook for about 5 minutes.
- Enjoy with a side of beans and tortillas. Top with crumbled queso fresco, drizzle with Mexican crema and cilantro if desired.
Muy Delish Notes:
- Control the heat. The eggs will start cooking as soon as they hit the salsa. Make sure the salsa is not boiling when you crack the eggs into it. Cook them in a gentle simmer at medium-low heat.
- Spoon some of the salsa over the eggs. After breaking the eggs into the sauce, gently spoon some of the tomato salsa over just the eggs. If you like the yolks to be more runny, don’t spoon salsa over the yolks.
- Cover and rotate. Covering the skillet allows the eggs to steam-cook, which moves things along. As soon as the whites are set and the eggs jiggle a bit in the center, they’re done.
Add Your Own Private Notes
Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes.
Nutrition
The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
Here is the thing!
I made all the recommendations…creama, avacado slices, pickled onions, crumbled Queso fresco, even salsa de arbol…all the cut up veggies.
Everything!
Then, I had a nip….
Too much? 😳
Forgot all the goodies!
They are not needed! Not one!
This is stand alone awesome!
🥃 out!
Thank you!!! yes they are full of flavor.
Enjoyed this for breakfast this morning and started my day off right! Easy, hearty and bold; definitely, a new favorite recipe!
Thank you!! so happy you enjoy them.
I am always looking for a fast and flavorful breakfast dish. I’m glad to have found this one and look forward to enjoying it for the next few days – unless i finish it in one sitting – yum!
Thank you!!! so glad you found this recipe and you like it.
This Mexican dish is new to me. Sounds so flavorful and delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, let me know if you make it and how you like it. Thank you!
This was so easy to make and absolutely delicious! Will definitely be having again!
Thank you and so happy you like it!!!!
I’ve not heard of this before but it looks absolutely lush.
Thank you!! yes, if you make it hope you like it.
Riquisimos!!!
The salsa was to die for! SOOOO great with the eggs….and anything else you want to put it on!!! YUMM!!!
Wow! Now this looks amazing! Definitely the perfect dish to make for breakfast for dinner, aka brinner. 😉
Loved this easy, robust dish! We had it for dinner and charring the vegetables adds so much flavor. Healthy and yummy!
This was such a delicious breakfast! We loved your huevos ahogados. Will definitely be making it again, thanks!
Thank yoy for making me breakfast! These eggs were delicious!