Omelettes are a quick and easy meal that can be customized in so many ways. While eggs are the staple ingredient, there are endless possibilities for mix-ins and toppings to make each omelette unique. Whether you like veggies, cheese, meat or seafood in your omelette, there are plenty of options to explore.
Vegetables
One of the most common omelette fillings is vegetables. Onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, bell peppers and broccoli are all excellent choices. Vegetables add nutrients, flavor and texture to omelettes. They also bulk up the omelette so it is more filling. Here are some quick answers about adding veggies:
- Onions: Diced onions add savory flavor. Caramelized onions are delicious and sweet.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms add an earthy, meaty quality.
- Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes add brightness.
- Spinach: Fresh spinach leaves wilt down and add color.
- Bell peppers: Chopped bell peppers add crunch and sweetness.
- Broccoli: Small broccoli florets add texture.
Combining 2-3 vegetables creates a more complex flavor. Try mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes or onions, bell pepper and broccoli. The options are endless!
Cheese
Cheese and eggs are a classic pairing, so it’s no surprise cheese is one of the most popular omelette fillings. Melty, gooey cheese takes an omelette to the next level. Some cheese options include:
- Cheddar: Sharp cheddar has bold, tangy flavor.
- Monterey Jack: Mild and creamy tasting.
- Feta: Briny, crumbly Greek cheese.
- Mozzarella: Oozes beautifully when melted.
- Goat Cheese: Tart and tangy flavor.
- Parmesan: Adds salty, nutty notes.
Grate hard cheeses or crumble softer cheeses so they distribute nicely throughout the omelette. Around 1/4 cup is a good amount for a 3-egg omelette. Pair cheese with veggies like broccoli and tomatoes or ham and mushrooms.
Meat and Seafood
In addition to vegetables and cheese, eggs also complement meat and seafood beautifully. Feel free to get creative with these protein-packed fillings:
- Ham: Diced ham has a lovely saltiness.
- Bacon: Crispy crumbled bacon is a crowd-pleaser.
- Sausage: Cooked ground sausage adds hearty flavor.
- Chicken: Shredded chicken is an easy protein addition.
- Steak: Thinly sliced steak elevates an omelette.
- Shrimp: Chopped cooked shrimp adds a delicacy.
- Lobster: Luxurious chunks of lobster meat work wonderfully.
- Crab: Flakes of crab meat lend a seafood twist.
Around 1/4 cup of cooked meat or seafood is the perfect amount for an omelette. Make sure seafood and meat is already cooked through before adding to a hot omelette to finish.
Herbs
Fresh herbs are an easy way to infuse more flavor into an omelette. Some herb ideas include:
- Parsley: Bright, fresh flavor
- Chives: Mild onion flavor
- Cilantro: Citrusy, aromatic notes
- Basil: Sweet, peppery flavor
- Oregano: Earthy, savory flavor
- Thyme: Woodsy, earthy notes
Chop herbs finely before adding to an omelette. About 1-2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs is plenty for a single omelette. Soft herbs like parsley, cilantro and basil are nice in vegetable omelettes. Heartier herbs like thyme and oregano complement meat and cheese omelettes.
Salsa and Hot Sauce
For a spicy kick of flavor, consider adding salsa or hot sauce to your omelette. Options include:
- Pico de gallo: Fresh tomato salsa adds a zesty punch.
- Salsa verde: Tomatillo salsa brings tart, bright flavor.
- Guacamole: Creamy, cool guacamole balances spice.
- Hot sauce: Dash of Tabasco, Cholula or tapatio brings the heat.
A couple tablespoons of salsa or a teaspoon of hot sauce is usually plenty to spice up an omelette. Feel free to add more or less to your taste preferences. These zesty additions are especially good in a southwest omelette with peppers, onions and cheese.
Starchy Fillings
In addition to veggies, meat and cheese, starchy fillings can also bulk up an omelette. Ideas include:
- Potatoes: Diced potatoes add heartiness.
- Sweet potatoes: For color and natural sweetness.
- Corn kernels: Bright pops of juicy corn.
- Beans: Black or pinto beans add fiber.
- Rice: Leftover rice is an easy addition.
Cook potatoes, sweet potatoes or rice before adding to a hot omelette. Around 1/4 to 1/2 cup starchy fillings is a good amount for one omelette. Pair these with sauteed veggies, cheese or meat to make it a meal.
Conclusion
An omelette is one of the most versatile meals out there. While the foundation is simple – whisked eggs cooked in butter or oil – the filling combinations are endless. Veggies, cheese, meat, herbs, salsa and starchy fillings can all take your omelette to the next level. Use your imagination and available ingredients to whip up a unique omelette masterpiece.
Here is a summary table of common omelette fillings:
| Filling Category | Specific Fillings |
|---|---|
| Vegetables | Onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, bell peppers, broccoli |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Monterey Jack, feta, mozzarella, goat cheese, parmesan |
| Meat/Seafood | Ham, bacon, sausage, chicken, steak, shrimp, lobster, crab |
| Herbs | Parsley, chives, cilantro, basil, oregano, thyme |
| Spicy | Salsa, hot sauce |
| Starchy | Potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, rice |
With all these possibilities, you can enjoy a different omelette every day of the week. Get creative with your favorite ingredients and flavors. The beauty of an omelette is you can toss in just about anything – the combinations are endless!