Nopales con Huevo

Name: Nopales con Huevo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 18 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil; ¾ cup chopped nopales; 1/3 cup chopped onion; 1 roma tomato (chopped); 4 eggs; Salsa of your choice; Corn tortillas

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by Yvette Marquez on September 15, 2023

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Today, we’re diving headfirst into the vibrant world of Mexican cuisine with a dish that’s as simple as it is sensational — Nopales con Huevo. Say adiós to complicated recipes and endless ingredient lists, because this nopales recipe is here to prove that magic can happen with just five (5!!!) simple ingredients.

hand-painted terracotta plate with nopales con huevo, sliced avocado, and a toasted corn tortilla.

Nopales, which are tender cactus pads, team up with the rich, velvety embrace of scrambled eggs in a marriage of flavors that will transport you to the sun-soaked streets of Mexico. And the best part is this recipe is so easy, you don’t even really NEED a recipe. Once you’ve made it once, feel free to use your cook’s intuition and wing it — like any other egg scramble, it’s pretty hard to mess up.

But what makes this recipe truly remarkable is its versatility. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, planning a leisurely brunch, seeking a light and satisfying lunch, or aiming for a meat-free marvel on Meatless Monday or during Lent, Nopales con Huevos has got you covered.

Join me as we explore the simplicity and versatility of this Mexican classic. Vamos a la cocina! 🇲🇽🍴

What is Nopales con Huevo?

Nopales con Huevo is a warm, comforting hug from Mexican cuisine, where two simple yet incredible ingredients come together in perfect harmony.

Nopales, a.k.a. tender, succulent prickly pear cactus pads, are the star of the show. They bring a unique texture, a subtle tanginess, and a touch of earthiness to the dish. These emerald-green gems are not just visually stunning but also packed with nutrients.

using tongs to pick up a nopales cactus paddle at the store.

Now, add in the eggs, scrambled to velvety perfection, enveloping the nopales with their creamy embrace. The eggs transform the nopales into a luxurious, savory delight, creating a dish that’s the epitome of comfort food.

To bring this dish to life, the cactus pieces are typically sautéed with onions and tomatoes until they’re tender and infused with a savory aroma. If you were to stop here, you’d have nopales a la mexicana.

Then, eggs are gently scrambled into the mix, creating a glorious union of textures and tastes. The result is a protein-packed plate bursting with color and flavor, offering a perfect blend of earthiness from the cactus and the comforting, custardy familiarity of eggs.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Nopales Recipe

Aside from being one of my favorite Mexican breakfast recipes, these eggy nopales mexicanos are also:

Made With Only 5 Basic Ingredients – A short grocery list is almost always indicative of a quick & simple recipe. This Mexican scramble is a true testament to the magic of Mexican cuisine – bold flavors, minimal fuss, and maximum satisfaction.
Versatile – Nopales con Huevos is your passport to a meal that effortlessly transitions from dawn to dusk. Picture a leisurely brunch with friends, a quick and satisfying light lunch, or a delightful Meatless Monday with this nopales dish front and center!
Nutritious & Filling – Between the protein-packed eggs, colorful veggies, and whole grain goodness of corn tortillas, this nopales breakfast is near perfect fuel for your body.

overhead shot of the ingredients needed to make nopales con huevo.

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this nopales con huevos:

Olive Oil – Just your normal cooking oil will be perfect here.
Nopales – I purchase clean and chopped nopales from my Latin supermarket when I’m feeling short on time – it beats having to remove the thorns on my own!
Onion – Any color (red, white, or yellow) will work here. You can also use shallots if you’d like.
Roma Tomato – Romas are my favorites, but just make sure you’re using a meaty tomato variety. You can also swap in drained diced canned tomatoes if needed.
Eggs – I tend to think whole eggs that are freshly scrambled taste best, but you’re welcome to use liquid eggs if you’d like. You can also feel free to swap in egg whites or a vegan liquid egg product (e.g. JUST Eggs).
Salsa – Optional, for serving. I personally prefer my nopales topped with Pico de Gallo or salsa roja, but any salsa you like will work beautifully.
Corn Tortillas – Make sure to warm them slightly to keep them nice and flexible for your breakfast-y nopales tacos.

How To Make Nopales con Huevos

This tasty Mexican nopales recipe comes together in just a few easy steps:

Step 1: Cook the onions in oil over medium heat, stirring frequently, until translucent — about 2 minutes.

Step 2: Add the nopales and let them sweat and darken for about 5 minutes, stirring once or twice. They may exude a gelatinous liquid — if so, continue cooking until it dries out.

Step 3: Add tomato and stir for another 2 minutes.

Step 4: Scramble. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whisk eggs with a pinch of salt. Add them to the skillet with the veggie mix and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until eggs are cooked thoroughly.

Step 5: Serve the nopales egg scramble with corn tortillas and the salsa of your choice. Enjoy!

More of a visual learner?? Watch this video to see how simple it is to make Nopales con Huevo — a classic Mexican dish made with cactus paddles and scrambled eggs.

flat lay shot of a breakfast plate filled with nopales con huevo, a charred tortilla, and sliced avocado with a mug of coffee.

Optional Variations

Huevos con Nopales en Chile Colorado – Add a little spice by using up your red chile sauce in this fun twist on huevos ahogados con nopales.
Vegan – Ensure your plate is fully plant-based by using the vegan liquid egg substitute of your choice.
Add-Ins – Feel free to add whatever floats your boat! Try garlic, some shredded cheese, or any of your other favorite scramble mix-ins.

Expert Tips

Don’t Go Too Hot. You want the pan to be hot, but not scorching, by the time you add your eggs. If your oil is starting to smoke, that’s a sign to remove the pan from heat for a few minutes to cool down, then return it to a lower flame.
Use Shortcuts. Purchasing pre-prepped cactus and frozen chopped onions makes this recipe for nopales come together extra fast.
Practice Patience. When it comes to cooking with nopales, some recipes call for boiling or soaking them nopales in salted water beforehand to eliminate the baba slime. This recipe eliminates that step, instead adding them to the skillet raw. I would recommend you cook the nopales thoroughly and allow any gelatinous liquid to cook off in the skillet before adding the eggs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are nopales good?

I was interviewed by The Dinner Special and was asked what ingredient I didn’t eat as a kid, but now love. You guessed it – my answer was nopales! You can read the blog post and listen to the entire podcast here where I share more stories about my childhood.

Growing up, we rarely ate nopales. We had nopales growing in our backyard and we would eat the tunas (a.k.a. purple prickly pears) that grew off of them. I can also think of a couple of times that my grandma made warm nopalitos with sautéed onion and tomatoes, but then again, maybe it was canned green beans? In my mom’s store, she sold nopales in a jar, but they just never appealed to me.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started eating nopales after I found out all their amazing health benefits. They’re low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium. Their impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make nopales a smart choice for supporting overall health, aiding digestion, and even managing blood sugar levels. Plus, they taste super earthy, slightly tangy, and are all-around delicious!

Can you eat nopal cactus on a ketogenic diet? If so, what is the best way to eat them?

Yep! Nopalitos are naturally pretty low in net carbs — 1 cup has just about 1 gram. Since eggs are also keto-friendly, this huevo con nopales recipe is a great place to start! Simply omit the corn tortillas in favor of a low-carb alternative.

What salsa goes best with this breakfast dish?

I think nopales con salsa roja, or “with red salsa,” is the way to go. Pico de gallo, salsa casera, roasted chipotle salsa… take your pick!

More Nopales Recipes

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #muybuenocooking.