An omelette is a quick, easy, and versatile dish that can be made for any meal. With just eggs and a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious omelette in minutes. But what ingredients really bring an omelette to the next level? Here, we’ll explore some of the best things to add to omelettes to make them even more flavorful and satisfying.
Cheese
One of the most popular omelette add-ins is cheese. Melted cheese gives the omelette richness, creaminess, and savory umami flavor. Some classic cheese choices for omelettes include:
- Cheddar – Sharp, tangy cheddar is a great melting cheese. It adds bold, nutty flavor.
- Swiss – Mild, slightly sweet Swiss cheese gives an omelette pleasant flavor.
- Gruyère – Nutty, creamy Gruyère is delightful when melted.
- Feta – Briny, tangy feta cheese crumbles add nice contrast.
- Goat Cheese – Soft, tangy goat cheese becomes smooth and creamy when cooked.
Grate or crumble the cheese over the eggs before folding the omelette, so the cheese gets nicely dispersed and melty. Many popular omelette varieties like cheese, ham and cheese, or spinach and feta all use cheese to make the omelette more decadent.
Meat and Seafood
In addition to cheese, cooked meats and seafood also pair wonderfully with eggs. Try adding:
- Ham – Smoked or cured ham offers salty, meaty flavor.
- Bacon – Crisp cooked bacon gives a smoky, salty crunch.
- Sausage – Pork or chicken sausage lends seasoning and richness.
- Chorizo – Spicy Spanish chorizo provides a flavor kick.
- Lobster – Luxurious chunks of lobster meat make for an elegant omelette.
- Crab – Flakes of crab meat give a taste of the sea.
- Smoked salmon – Salty, faintly smoky salmon pairs beautifully with eggs.
Chop or crumble the meat and seafood before adding it to the egg mixture. A sprinkle of 2-3 tablespoons per omelette is usually plenty. Meat and seafood transform an omelette into a hearty, protein-packed meal.
Vegetables
Don’t forget to load up your omelette with healthy, delicious veggies! Some excellent choices include:
- Onions – Cooked onions add sweetness and moisture.
- Mushrooms – Meaty, earthy mushrooms boost an omelette’s umami flavor.
- Tomatoes – Chopped fresh or sun-dried tomatoes contribute bright acidity.
- Spinach – Wilted spinach gives an extra serving of greens.
- Bell peppers – Diced red, green, or yellow peppers add sweet crunch.
- Broccoli – Tiny broccoli florets lend color and nutrition.
For best results, sauté denser vegetables like onions and mushrooms first before adding them to the beaten egg mixture. More delicate veggies like spinach and tomatoes can be folded in raw. Aim for 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup total vegetables per omelette.
Fresh Herbs
Don’t underestimate the power of fresh herbs for elevating an omelette. Some fantastic options include:
- Parsley – Bright, grassy parsley perks up any omelette.
- Basil – Sweet basil complements eggs and cheese.
- Oregano – Earthy, aromatic oregano adds Mediterranean flair.
- Chives – Subtle oniony chives lend fresh flavor.
- Cilantro – Vivacious cilantro pairs well with spicy omelettes.
- Dill – Feathery dill accents seafood omelettes nicely.
Use a tablespoon or two of chopped fresh herbs, sprinkled over the top of the omelette just before folding and serving. Their vibrant flavors will really come through.
Spices and Seasonings
A dash or two of certain spices can transform the entire flavor profile of an omelette. Consider adding:
- Chili powder – Chili powder infuses an omelette with gentle heat.
- Garlic powder – Garlic powder provides a savory punch without the strong raw garlic flavor.
- Cumin – Earthy cumin boosts Mexican or Southwestern-style omelettes.
- Curry powder – For an Indian twist, stir in mild or hot curry powder to taste.
- Red pepper flakes – A pinch of red pepper flakes contributes a subtle kick.
- Paprika – Sweet paprika lends a rich, aromatic quality.
Use a very light hand with dried spices—a little goes a long way. Let the eggs be the star, accented by delicate spice flavors.
Salsa and Hot Sauce
For spicy omelette lovers, mixes of salsa and hot sauce create vibrant flavor. Options include:
- Pico de gallo – Fresh tomato salsa adds zesty kick.
- Tomatillo salsa – Tangy green tomatillo salsa has nice acidity.
- Guacamole – Cool, creamy guacamole balances spicy heat.
- Sriracha – Garlicky, hot Sriracha sauce spices up any omelette.
- Tabasco – A few dashes of Tabasco sauce brings on gentle heat.
- Cholula – Smoky chipotle Cholula hot sauce amps up chili flavor.
Use 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite salsa or hot sauce and mix it with the eggs before cooking. Feel free to add slices of fresh avocado too for extra richness.
Conclusion
An omelette makes a satisfying meal any time of day. While eggs alone make a wonderful omelette, cheeses, meats, vegetables, herbs, and spices can all elevate this classic dish. Try out unique flavor combinations like smoked salmon and dill, chorizo and Manchego cheese, or curry spices and onions. Let your tastes and imagination guide you to create the perfect omelette!
| Ingredient Type | Good Options |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Cheddar, Swiss, Gruyère, feta, goat cheese |
| Meat and Seafood | Ham, bacon, sausage, chorizo, lobster, crab, smoked salmon |
| Vegetables | Onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, bell peppers, broccoli |
| Fresh Herbs | Parsley, basil, oregano, chives, cilantro, dill |
| Spices and Seasonings | Chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, curry powder, red pepper flakes, paprika |
| Salsa and Hot Sauce | Pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa, guacamole, Sriracha, Tabasco, Cholula |