14 Mexican breakfasts to start your day off with a bang

Oh, the breakfast possibilities!

Tomato and chipotle bathed corn chips with fried eggs (chilaquiles rojas)

Tomato and chipotle bathed corn chips with fried eggs (chilaquiles rojas) Source: Benito Martin

Breakfast we have often be told is the most important meal of the day. So why not make it a Mexican feast? Here are 14 big Mexican breakfasts to keep you going throughout the day.

1. Huevos rancheros

Few breakfasts are more typical than . Traditionally served in rural farms, hence the name – rancher’s eggs, the dish consists of a fried egg over a lightly fried corn tortilla topped with a spicy tomato and chili salsa. Avocado, eggs, onion, cilantro are thrown in for good measure.
HuevosRancheros-01.jpg

2. Huevos divorciados

are an offshoot of the classic huevos revueltos. Same tasty tortilla and egg combo, only this time each egg has a different sauce – one made from tomatoes, the other from tomatillos.
Divorced eggs (huevos divorciados)
Divorced eggs (huevos divorciados) Source: Chris Chen
Start your day with the sauce of all sauces – mole! Poured over fried tortillas filled with either chicken or cheese, this rich, chocolatey sauce may seem a bit much for breakfast but it is too delicious not to try at least once. For a vegetarian option, you can swap chicken for platano macho.
Big brunch enchiladas
Source: Pati's Mexican Table

4. Enchiladas suizas

If you’re feeling particularly hungry, try enchiladas suizas, corn tortillas filled with chicken and drizzled with spicy salsa verde. Served with beans topped with grated manchego cheese, this breakfast will definitely fuel you up for the day ahead.
Fried tortilla with cheese and sour cream may not sound like the healthiest breakfast option but it is surely one of the tastiest. It is made by cutting tortillas into small triangles and frying them. Spicy tomato-based salsa is poured over the totopos and mixed with cheese, onion and cilantro.
Tomato and chipotle bathed corn chips with fried eggs (chilaquiles rojas)
Tomato and chipotle bathed corn chips with fried eggs (chilaquiles rojos) Source: Benito Martin

6. Chilaquiles verdes

The same basic premise as (featured above) only served with , the spicy green tomato sauce made with onion, garlic and chile. In both options, you can also add chicken.
For a somewhat lighter breakfast option, try a tamale. Made from corn masa and steamed in a corn husk, tamales are a must have breakfast treat. There are lots of different flavours. The most typical being tamales rojos or verdes. You’ll see them served in the zocalo early in the morning along with hot cups of atole.
Ancho_chilli_tamales.jpg

8. Migas con huevo

This crunchy Mexican brekkie puts a spin on your average scrambled eggs by mixing in – meaning crumbs in Spanish. In this case the crumbs are fried tortilla chips. Avocado is usually added on top.
Add beans, bread and cheese and you have , a quick and tasty way to begin the day. To make molletes, you simply halve a bolillo, a kind of savoury Mexican bread, fill with beans and top with cheese. Place under a grill until the cheese melts and listo! Depending on your preference, you can jalapeños to make it spicier or top with bacon and .
Molletes.jpg

10. Pozole verde

While a time-intensive venture, pozole verde is another great breakfast and all-day treat. This traditional Mexican soup combines onion, corn, chicken, chile and green tomatoes. You can throw in lettuce, radish and lime a tu gusto.
When isn’t a good time to eat ? While usually a snack throughout the day, quesadillas also make a filling breakfast. Made by frying Oaxaca cheese inside a tortilla, jalapeños and tomato are often added to give the breakfast with extra bite.
Blue corn quesadillas with mushrooms
Blue corn quesadillas with mushrooms Source: Benito Martin

12. Menudo

Menudo – also known as pancita – is a popular breakfast in Mexico, particularly after a big night. Thought to cure hangovers, menudo is a heavy beef stew that mixes tripe with onion, cilantro and a red chili-based sauce. Tuck into this with a hefty pile of tortillas at your side.

13. Entomatadas rellenas de huevo

It may look complicated but this dish is essentially fried eggs rolled in tortilla and topped with salsa rojo and cheese. The trick is to serve with hot sauce so the tortilla softens. A variation of this breakfast uses just egg whites.

14. Huevos veracruzanos

A speciality of the state of Veracruz, this dish is made by wrapping scrambled eggs in bean-dipped tortillas and frying. Panela cheese and chorizo is drizzled on top for extra flavour.
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4 min read
Published 20 September 2018 6:48am
Updated 22 January 2024 11:39am
By Melissa Kitson


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