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    Home » Recipes » Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs)

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs)

    Last Updated November 19, 2020. Originally Posted January 23, 2018 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is a classic breakfast dish in the Mexican cuisine. Serve with tortillas, queso fresco, and avocado slices. It’s a yummy way to start the day.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is an easy and healthy breakfast. Add tortillas and enjoy this Mexican food favorite. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is a classic dish in Mexico, and it’s 100% delicious.

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is an easy and healthy breakfast. Add tortillas and enjoy this Mexican food favorite. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    I’m a big cactus fan. I’ve even got the t-shirt and the foam finger. 🙂 Cactus, or nopales, are so good for you (almost like thorny little angels). There are tons of benefits, and I firmly believe that my dad’s diabetes is under control, in part, because he eats cactus daily. You can have them in a smoothie or in a salad (of course without the spines – that would be a prickly situation).

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is an easy and healthy breakfast. Add tortillas and enjoy this Mexican food favorite. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen



    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) comes together fairly quickly. So, have all your ingredients ready to go. I’m using cactus that already have the thorns removed. It just makes life easier and prevents accidental internal acupuncture. Or, you can use nopales in a jar.

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is an easy and healthy breakfast. Add tortillas and enjoy this Mexican food favorite. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    See how I chopped the end section off? That part of the cactus always seems to be tougher than the rest. I cut this part out, slice lengthwise, then lastly dice.

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is an easy and healthy breakfast. Add tortillas and enjoy this Mexican food favorite. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Heat the oil in a pan, and add the cactus. Cook for 3 minutes. Stirring frequently. You don’t want them to burn. When they change color to a dark olive green, they are cooked. Add the onion and jalapeño. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is an easy and healthy breakfast. Add tortillas and enjoy this Mexican food favorite. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl and add them to the pan. With your spatula, stir until the eggs are cooked. Don’t forget the salt. Whenever I make quick dishes like this, I tend to forget the salt unless it’s staring me in the face and ready to shake ME. LOL.

    Nopales con Huevos (Cactus with Eggs) is an easy and healthy breakfast. Add tortillas and enjoy this Mexican food favorite. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    You can serve your Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) with avocado and queso fresco as I did. Or, serve them with refried beans and rice. Top with Mexican red salsa and enjoy!

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is an easy and healthy breakfast. Add tortillas and enjoy this Mexican food favorite. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs)

    Nopales con Huevo (Cactus with Eggs) is a classic breakfast dish in the Mexican cuisine. Serve with tortillas, queso fresco, and avocado slices. It’s a yummy way to start the day.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 160kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 cactus pads diced
    • ¼ onion diced
    • 1 jalapeño finely diced
    • 6 eggs
    • 1 tbsp Salt
    • Cilantro for garnish

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a large skillet.
    • Add the diced cactus.
    • Cook for 3 minutes, or until the cactus has turned a dark olive green color.
    • Add the onion and jalapeno.
    • Cook for 1 minute.
    • In a bowl, whisk the eggs.
    • Add the eggs and salt to the skillet.
    • Stir and cook eggs for 3-5 minutes.
    • Top with cilantro.
    • Serve with queso fresco, avocado slices, salsa, and tortillas.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    This dish comes together fairly quickly. So, have all your ingredients ready to go. 
    When they change color to a dark olive green, they are cooked. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 246mg | Sodium: 1838mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 394IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

    Filed Under: Breakfast, Mexican, Recipes

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Catherine @ To & Fro Fam

      January 14, 2019 at 1:12 pm

      I’ve never cooked with nopales but now I’m curious! Thanks for the inspiration.

      Reply
    2. rachel

      January 14, 2019 at 5:47 pm

      I just sent this to my husband beccause he is OBSESSED with tamales!

      Reply
    3. Alexandra

      January 14, 2019 at 9:32 pm

      I’ve never cooked with cactus, but keen to give it a try a one day.

      Reply
    4. Supermompicks

      January 15, 2019 at 5:24 am

      Oh my! I can imagine cactus has amazing health benefits. I must try some!

      Reply
    5. Becca Wilson

      January 16, 2019 at 6:09 am

      I have never tried cactus before but this looks like it would be so delicious. I would definitely give it a try!

      Reply
    6. Ros3yp

      March 17, 2019 at 8:41 am

      5 stars
      Hubby’s been requesting this and I finally bought some fresh Nopalitos yesterday! Gonna give it a go! Tnx for the recipe!

      Reply
    7. Alan

      August 30, 2019 at 1:30 pm

      The pads have some hair-like tiny spines that can create quite a rash. The best way to begin is to hold the pad over an open flame (like a gas stove burner) and burn those hairs off. Then you can attack the larger spines without getting those tiny sharp hairs into your fingers.

      Reply
    8. Vickie

      April 8, 2020 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      This bring back many memories when I lived in Texas. My parents were born and raised in the Valley. We move to Illinois when I was 4. I remember going on vacation back to Texas were my Gramma would say if you want me to make your nopales con huevos take a clothes pin and glove and cut them for me. Her recipe was just like yours with a little red salsa added in. The best was with refried beans and home made pappas.. though I grew up with flour tortillas some how, homemade corn tortillas seem better with this meal. Gramma would make them that day with melted butter. This was a very traditional meal on good Friday topped off with capirotada. I have a son and daughter and it’s my son who took interested in traditional recipes.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        April 9, 2020 at 9:54 am

        I love capirotada. What lovely memories!

        Reply
    9. Tammy

      April 10, 2020 at 6:22 pm

      This looks really wonderful. My husband like to make this but adds chorizo, and makes them into breakfast burritos. The guys all go nuts for them! I’m not a big fan of chorizo, so your recipe looks perfect to me!! 😀

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 16, 2020 at 3:39 pm

        Sounds yummy. Hope you try this recipe!

        Reply

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