Huevos Rotos (Broken Eggs)

Huevos Rotos (Broken Eggs)
Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Liza Jernow.
Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
5(4,402)
Notes
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Variations of this hearty fried egg-and-potato dish can be found throughout Spain, including the Canary Islands, where it’s said to have originated. There’s always a runny egg, but whether it sits atop fried potato rounds, French fries or crunchy chips varies by region and personal preference. The potatoes are often served with chorizo sausage or Serrano ham, but in this vegetarian version, smoked paprika and red-pepper flakes mimic chorizo’s flavor and heat. Pierce the eggs just before serving so the golden yolks coat the potatoes with a glossy sauce. Serve with sautéed greens or a crisp salad dressed with a lemon vinaigrette. This one-pan meal is good with a cup of coffee or a beer — it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner material.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 2teaspoons smoked paprika
  • ½teaspoon red-pepper flakes or ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2pounds new potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces if necessary
  • 1medium onion, finely chopped
  • 4garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 4eggs
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Flaky sea salt, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

417 calories; 23 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 15 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 45 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 11 grams protein; 749 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

    In a measuring cup, combine the olive oil, paprika, red-pepper flakes, 1½ teaspoons salt, a generous grind of pepper and 1 cup water. Put the potatoes in a large skillet and pour the olive oil mixture over them. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on high until the potatoes are fork-tender, 6 to 9 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Uncover and turn the heat to low. If the potatoes are sticking or dry, add more olive oil. Arrange the potatoes in an even layer, cut side down if halved, then add the onion and garlic surrounding the potatoes. Cover and cook until the potatoes are golden-brown and the onions are softened, 4 to 6 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Stir the potatoes (if they’re sticking, add more oil). Make 4 nests in the potatoes and crack an egg into each. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny, 4 to 6 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    To serve, break the yolks gently with a serving spoon, then scoop some potatoes and an egg onto plates or into shallow bowls. Serve with a squeeze of lemon and flaky salt.

Ratings

5 out of 5
4,402 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

I added all the water it asked for (1 cup) and cooked it on high as instructed. After 6-7 mins all the water was gone, so I added extra olive oil and cooked, covered, for an added 3-4 mins and it was perfect. DO NOT REDUCE THE WATER!

I cooked 8oz of my homemade chorizo in a 12" deep sided, non-stick skillet, removed the cooked chorizo with a slotted spoon and transferred it to a paper towel-lined plate leaving all the chorizo yumminess behind. I added potatoes, cut side down and 1 c water to the skillet omitting the paprika and pepper flakes. I then followed the remaining instructions adding the chorizo back in with the onions. Winner!

This is so delicious and easy - with emphasis on both those adjectives. I made this after getting home late from the airport. Deeply satisfying meal in just a few minutes. It is going into the rotation.

Big hit with my teenage boys! Added chopped chorizo to increase heft — browned the onion & sausage first, removed that to plate, cooked potatoes & added sausage/onion back in to pan before adding in eggs. Steaming potatoes was a bit messy as I had too much water in pan — had to scoop out potatoes, dump water, dry pan and return to recipe. Now on 2nd time, I found it easier to microwave-steam the potatoes (with salt & extra spices) while browning onions sausage on stove, then add potatoes in.

Why peel your new potatoes? I scrub mine well, but the skins are so thin I find them entirely edible!

Make sure to use smoked paprika if you can. The deep smokey flavor permeates into the flavors of the potatoes and onions that really elevates this dish and is very complementary to the rich flavor of the yolks.

Wonderful dish! For one person, I used about a pound of little gold yukons and cut them up to about 1 inch chunks. Reduced the water and oil by 1/3. Didn't have any good onions, so chopped up some red bell pepper and added it with the garlic. To help the egg white set up before the yolks overcooked, I spooned the water/oil mix over them. Finished it with some grated parm, chopped tomato and cilantro. I did have to drain off a little oil, so I'll reduce that a bit in the future.

Pearl onions are a great idea as an addition. Trader Joe's sells frozen pearl onions that are already peeled- I keep a bag on hand in my freezer at all times. In this case the extra cost compared to fresh ones is certainly worth it, because they are a pain to peel.

This was easy and delicious. I put the pan under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp the potatoes before adding the eggs.

I put mine over a bed of kale. Delish!

This is true Spanish comfort food—eaten by Spaniards for any meal, any time. There’s really no way to go wrong with chorizo, potatoes, and eggs. ( It’s also good if you skip the eggs, for those who don’t like or can’t eat eggs.)

one egg per person? Not in our family.

If you want to add chorizo, crumble and brown separately, then sprinkle over potatoes before you make egg nests. It is not too salty that way and you can also eliminate the salt altogether if you prefer. Not sure where peeling pearl onions comes in. Recipe says medium onion.

Incredibly delicious! Made a few modifications to make cooking easier/more hands-off Minor changes: Used half turnip, half red potatoes - all cut into wedges Prepared oil on stove, heating through until fragrant Toss veggies in oil and roasted on sheet pans lined with parchment at 450 for 25-30min (flipping half-way) Add veggies back to the cast iron skillet used for oil to make eggs Topped w/ crumbled queso fresco + served w/ buttered toast. Keeper!

Added chorizo (sliced) from the start and served on arugula salad. Was a little too salty with the added chorizo, sadly, but very tasty! Would be helpful to know how much water is supposed to be left going in to Step 2; 9 minutes wasn't enough to boil it all away.

A sprinkling of shredded cheddar and/or pepper jack cheese on the potatoes before adding the eggs?

My first attempt at the potatoes boiling, burnt the potatoes on the bottom using a carbon steel pan on a step down from high and they were not soft at ,6 and burned at 8. I then started over on the potatoes tossing on olive oil and the seasoning. Air fried for 10 minutes, started onions in bacon fat. Added potatoes and garlic, more paprika and red pepper cooked for 5 minutes then added eggs, added shredded extra sharp cheddar over top then covered. Really good and will make again using air fryer

Made this and added chorizo and bell peppers. Cooked the chorizo first, removed then proceeded as usual. I added the bells with the onions and garlic. The potatoes were legit melty af and full of flavor. We absolutely will make this again.

As promised, very easy and delicious. Since I used hot smoked paprika from Spain, I did not add the red pepper flakes or cayenne. I had some tiny pearl tomatoes and added those at the end. Made a tasty and filling supper in about 30 minutes.

I cooked this for two last night by cutting the recipe in half. I also added some sausage which I browned in the same pan (alone) before starting the recipe. The sausage was removed to a plate after cooking and put back in with the potatoes just before the eggs were added.

Delicious and very satisfying. I added a handful of cherry tomatoes which blistered, and added to color and taste.

Delicious but I may have done something wrong as my potatoes weren’t as crisp/browned as the picture indicates. What can I do to rectify this?

So, so satisfying and delicious. My 16 YO had two helpings - that's the true vote of yum.

I read 1/2 cup of oil and it was so much! Next time I will put on my glasses

1/3 cup = 80 ml

Where does the recipe mention water?

This is so easy and delish. This will be in heavy rotation at our house for brunch!

Made with squash. Amazing!

Huge hit! Easy and memorable!

Delicious, quick, easy, AND my teenagers like it?!? This is a fabulous dish/technique appropriate for any meal of the day. It’s become a family staple meal.

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