Eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients in cooking. They can be prepared in countless ways and pair well with all different types of foods. One classic pairing that can’t be beat is eggs and meat. The savory umami flavor of meat complements the creamy, delicate egg perfectly. But with so many meat options to choose from, how do you decide what meat goes best with eggs? Here we’ll explore 10 delicious meats that pair wonderfully with eggs, when and how to cook them together, and some quick tips for the best meat and egg combos.
Meats That Pair Well with Eggs
Bacon
Bacon is the classic meat most often paired with eggs. The smoky, salty, fatty flavor of bacon balances beautifully with fluffy scrambled eggs, over-easy fried eggs, and poached eggs. Bacon adds crunch and savoriness to egg dishes like omelets, frittatas, and breakfast casseroles too. To cook, fry bacon in a skillet until crispy, then drain on paper towels. Cook eggs in the bacon grease for extra meaty flavor.
Sausage
Like bacon, sausage is a breakfast staple with eggs. Sausage links, patties, or crumbles add hearty meatiness and spice to egg dishes. The herby seasoning and hint of fennel in breakfast sausage work nicely with light eggs. Cook sausage fully in a skillet, then use the drippings to fry eggs for a well-rounded mouthfeel.
Ham
Salty, smoky ham is another classic choice with eggs. Thick sliced ham can be pan-fried or baked then served alongside eggs. Chopped ham pairs well in scrambles, omelets, quiches, and frittatas. Try a simple fried egg and ham sandwich or biscuits and gravy with chopped ham and over-easy eggs.
Steak
For a heartier meal, steak is a delicious meat to pair with eggs. Flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye can be cooked to preferred doneness, sliced, then served with eggs your way. Steak and eggs makes a filling breakfast or dinner. Drizzle steak with chimichurri or top with sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor.
Pork Chops
Pan-seared or grilled pork chops have a mild sweetness that pairs fantastically with eggs for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Fry eggs in the pork chop drippings for an extra meaty boost. Serve boneless pork chops alongside poached or over-easy eggs with a side of roasted potatoes.
Chicken Sausage
For a leaner alternative to pork sausage, chicken sausage is a tasty choice with eggs. Spicy Italian, apple maple, spinach feta – the flavor varieties are endless. Cook fully in a skillet then add eggs to soak up the flavor. Chicken sausage also tastes great chopped in a veggie omelet or baked into a quiche or frittata.
Corned Beef Hash
Make classic corned beef hash and eggs for a satisfying meal any time of day. Sauté chopped corned beef with potatoes, peppers, and onions until browned and crispy on the edges. Cook eggs sunny side up and serve over top of the corned beef mixture. The rich meatiness stands up well to the eggs.
Canadian Bacon
For a lighter ham alternative, Canadian bacon (also called back bacon or peameal bacon) is a great choice. It has a similar smoky, salty flavor but with less fat than traditional bacon. Fry up Canadian bacon slices to eat alongside poached or scrambled eggs. It also tastes delicious in an egg sandwich or breakfast burrito.
Chorizo
Spicy Spanish chorizo sausage has a distinct smoky paprika flavor that enhances eggs beautifully. Cook crumbled chorizo in a skillet until browned, then scramble in eggs until set. The heat and seasoning perfectly balances the creamy eggs. For more texture, add chopped chorizo to an omelet or frittata.
Prosciutto
Paper-thin slices of cured prosciutto ham add concentrated meaty flavor to egg dishes, without the bulk of other pork products. Wrap poached or fried eggs with crispy prosciutto or add shredded prosciutto to a scramble. Eggs topped with prosciutto, arugula, and parmesan makes an elegant breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Tips for Cooking Meat and Eggs
Cook meat fully before adding eggs
Always make sure to fully cook meats like sausage, bacon, and ham before adding lightly cooked eggs. This prevents any risk of undercooked meat or cross-contamination.
Use meat drippings to boost flavor
Cooking eggs in rendered bacon, sausage, or ham drippings infuses them with extra savory meatiness.
Balance proportions
When combining meat and eggs, use roughly equal portions of each so their flavors can both shine. Too much meat compared to eggs may overpower.
Add vegetables
Onions, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes and other veggies further complement meat and egg dishes. Sauté them before or with the meat.
Use right cooking methods
Fried, poached, scrambled, and basted eggs all pair differently with meats. Fried or poached work best with sliced meats, while scrambled and basted marry well with chopped meat.
Season properly
Boost flavor with fresh herbs, spices, hot sauce, cheese, etc. But don’t over-season scrambled eggs before cooking – salt can make them watery.
Keep eggs tender
Don’t overcook eggs when pairing with meat. Stop stirring scrambled eggs while they’re still a bit wet. Remove fried and poached eggs while the yolks are still runny.
Let meat rest before slicing
After cooking meat like steak or pork chops, let rest 5-10 minutes so juices redistribute evenly throughout the meat before slicing and serving with eggs.
5 Best Meat and Egg Meal Ideas
Breakfast sandwiches
A fried egg with ham, bacon, or sausage on an English muffin, biscuit, or bagel makes a satisfying handheld breakfast.
Steak and eggs
Perfectly cooked steak served with fried or scrambled eggs and hash browns is a steakhouse-quality meal.
Breakfast burrito
Scrambled eggs, chorizo, cheese, and veggies wrapped in a warm tortilla is an easy meaty breakfast.
Shakshuka
Poached eggs simmered in a sauce of tomatoes, onions, peppers, and sausage or chorizo is a delicious Middle Eastern dish.
Frittata or crustless quiche
Eggs baked with meat, cheese, and veggies in a skillet makes a hearty meal any time of day.
Conclusion
With their complementary flavors, eggs and meat are natural partners for all sorts of delicious dishes. Bacon, sausage, ham, and chorizo are especially traditional with eggs, but steak, pork chops, and chicken sausage also pair wonderfully. Cook meats fully before adding eggs, let the meat drippings boost the egg flavor, and keep eggs on the softer side. With the right pairing and cooking techniques, meat and eggs can be an easy, tasty meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any time you crave their satisfying combination of protein. Experiment with different meats, vegetables, spices and cooking methods for endless meat and egg meal possibilities.