Scrambled eggs make for a quick, protein-packed breakfast, but their flavor can become boring if you make them the same way every day. Luckily, there are tons of easy ways to jazz up plain scrambled eggs with extra flavors and textures. Things like fresh herbs, spices, cheese, vegetables, and cured meats can all take scrambled eggs from bland to bold in minutes.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best mix-ins and toppings to add interest to scrambled eggs. Whether you like your eggs mild or spicy, meaty or veggie-packed, the possibilities are endless. Read on for inspiration on how to take your scrambled eggs from “meh” to marvelous!
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs are an easy way to infuse scrambled eggs with bright, aromatic flavor without overpowering the eggs. Here are some fresh herb ideas to try:
– Chopped chives – The delicate onion flavor of chives pairs perfectly with creamy scrambled eggs.Sprinkle them on at the very end for a pop of color and flavor.
– Minced dill – Fresh dill has a lovely light anise-like flavor. Add some to eggs about a minute before they finish cooking.
– Snipped parsley – Curly or flat-leaf parsley both work well. Add it just before serving for a hit of freshness.
– Basil – Sweet basil is fantastic in scrambled eggs. Add torn leaves or thin ribbons at the end.
– Cilantro – The bright, citrusy flavor of cilantro makes a great match for eggs. Coarsely chop it and stir in just before the eggs are done.
Spices and Seasonings
Spices are another easy way to add personality to scrambled eggs. Here are some spicy mix-ins to try:
– Smoked paprika – Adds a wonderful smoky flavor and beautiful red-orange color.
– Ground cumin – The earthy, warming flavor pairs wonderfully with eggs.
– Turmeric – Adds vibrant yellow-orange color and a mild, earthy flavor.
– Ground coriander – A touch of lemony coriander brings a brightness to eggs.
– Dried oregano – Brings an aromatic, pizza-like flavor to scrambled eggs.
– Chili powder or cayenne – For a kick of heat, add a pinch or two to the eggs.
– Black pepper – Fresh cracked pepper gives eggs a nice spicy bite.
– Garlic powder and onion powder – These add savory depth of flavor.
Cheese
Melting cheese into scrambled eggs is an easy way to make them creamy, rich, and irresistible. Almost any cheese works well, but here are some particularly delicious options:
– Cheddar – Sharp cheddar adds tang and gives eggs wonderful color.
– Monterey jack – Mild and melty jack cheese blends perfectly into eggs.
– Feta – Salty, crumbly feta adds nice flavor contrast.
– Parmesan – Grated parmesan adds nutty, savory flavor.
– Goat cheese – Tangy goat cheese becomes smooth and creamy when scrambled with eggs.
– Pepper jack – For a spicy kick, use shredded pepper jack cheese.
– Cream cheese – Just a spoonful makes eggs extra rich and silky.
– Blue cheese – Bold blue cheese pairs surprisingly well with creamy scrambled eggs.
Vegetables
Adding quick-cooking vegetables to scrambled eggs is an easy way to get more veggies at breakfast. Here are some tasty mix-ins:
– Diced tomatoes – Cherry or grape tomatoes add sweetness.
– Spinach – Fresh spinach wilts down easily.
– Bell peppers – Red, yellow or green all work. Add diced peppers.
– Mushrooms – Sliced mushrooms add earthy flavor.
– Carrots – Shredded or finely diced carrots cook quickly.
– Broccoli – Small broccoli florets add color and texture.
– Asparagus – Chopped cooked asparagus makes eggs extra elegant.
– Onion – Diced onion, scallion or shallot all work well.
– Zucchini – Shredded or diced zucchini blends in easily.
Meats and Seafood
For extra protein, mixing meat or seafood into scrambled eggs is an easy option. Ideas include:
– Bacon – Chopped cooked bacon adds a smoky, salty crunch.
– Ham – Diced ham folds nicely into creamy scrambled eggs.
– Sausage – Cooked crumbled sausage adds great flavor.
– Chorizo – The spicy Spanish sausage infuses eggs with paprika, garlic and spice.
– Salmon – Flaky cooked salmon elevates eggs to gourmet status.
– Shrimp – Pre-cooked shrimp mix in nicely.
– Turkey – Diced cooked turkey meat works well in eggs.
– Chicken – Shredded cooked chicken blends in easily.
Dairy and Cheese
Mixing in a bit of dairy is another great way to make scrambled eggs creamier and more luxurious:
– Milk – Adding a splash of milk makes eggs fluffier.
– Half and half – The higher fat content makes for ultrasilky eggs.
– Sour cream – Just a spoonful makes eggs rich and tangy.
– Cottage cheese – Stirring in small curds adds creaminess without watering down the eggs.
– Cream cheese – Softened cream cheese makes eggs extra decadent.
– Mascarpone – The creamy Italian cheese adds irresistible richness.
– Ricotta – Dollops of part-skim ricotta become smooth when scrambled.
– Yogurt – Greek or regular yogurt adds protein, moisture and tang.
Spreads, Sauces and Condiments
Flavorful spreads and sauces stirred into the raw eggs add lots of flavor. Ideas include:
– Pesto – Nutty basil pesto swirls beautifully into eggs.
– Tapenade – Briny olive tapenade provides a nice contrast.
– Salsa – Tomato salsa adds fresh flavor.
– Guacamole – Creamy avocado goodness pairs perfectly with eggs.
– Hummus – Chickpea hummus adds protein and creamy texture.
– Harissa – The spicy North African chili paste really livens up eggs.
– Hot sauce – A dash of your favorite hot sauce spices things up.
– Soy sauce – A splash adds salty, savory umami flavor.
– BBQ sauce – Sweet and tangy BBQ sauce is an unexpected twist.
Beans, Grains and Seeds
Getting creative with mixes of beans, grains and seeds can add interesting textures to scrambled eggs:
– Black beans – Cooked black beans add protein and mild flavor.
– Refried beans – Well-seasoned refried beans add a Mexican twist.
– Quinoa – Fluffy cooked quinoa blends nicely into eggs.
– Farro – Toasted farro brings a delightful chew.
– Polenta – Cubes of cooked polenta get soft and creamy when scrambled.
– Couscous – Fluffy couscous mixes in easily.
– Sunflower seeds – Pepitas or sunflower seeds add nutty crunch.
– Sesame seeds – Toasted sesame seeds add subtle flavor and texture.
Creativity Counts!
Don’t limit yourself to just one mix-in ingredient – get creative with combinations of flavors. Here are just a few recipe ideas to spark your imagination:
– Feta, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes
– Goat cheese, mushrooms and fresh herbs
– Bacon, cheddar and scallions
– Chorizo, black beans and salsa
– Broccoli, red pepper and cheddar
– Pesto, turkey and roasted red peppers
– Hummus, feta and za’atar seasoning
– Avocado, hot sauce and queso fresco
The possibilities are practically endless. Try out new flavor combos and see which ones become your new go-to scrambled egg recipes.
Toppings
In addition to mix-ins, don’t forget about creative toppings for scrambled eggs. Sprinkling on extras adds final touches of texture, crunch and flavor contrast:
– Salsa
– Avocado
– Sour cream or Greek yogurt
– Hot sauce or chili oil
– Everything bagel seasoning
– Chopped fresh herbs
– Queso fresco or feta crumbles
– Toasted nuts or seeds
– Crispy fried shallots or onions
– Crumbled bacon
– Grated cheese
– Microgreens or sprouts
With just a simple finishing sprinkle, you can really take your scrambled eggs over the top.
Putting it All Together
So you’ve seen dozens of delicious mix-in and topping ideas for scrambled eggs. Now it’s time to get cooking and try out some combinations!
Here’s a quick step-by-step process for making scrambled eggs with add-ins:
1. Prep any vegetables, meats or other mix-ins – wash, chop, cook, etc.
2. Whisk the eggs in a bowl. Add any dairy, seasonings or wet ingredients.
3. Melt a knob of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Add any dry spices or herbs to the skillet and let toast 1 minute.
5. Pour in the eggs. Use a spatula to gently push eggs across bottom and sides of pan as they set.
6. When eggs are partly set, add any cheese or vegetables.
7. Continue pushing and folding eggs until fully cooked but still moist, about 2-4 minutes total.
8. Remove from heat and fold in any fresh herbs, creamy or wet ingredients.
9. Transfer to plates and top with desired toppings.
That’s it! With these simple steps and a little creativity, you can enjoy endless flavorful variations on plain old scrambled eggs.
Storing and Reheating
Made a big batch of fancy scrambled eggs? Here are some tips for storing and reheating them:
– Let eggs cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.
– They will keep 3-4 days refrigerated.
– To reheat, place in microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between until hot.
– You can also reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or water.
– Stir in any fresh herbs or toppings after reheating.
With proper storage, you can enjoy your flavorful scrambled egg creations all week long!
Scrambled Egg Recipes
To give you even more inspiration, here are full recipes for some flavor-packed scrambled egg dishes:
Chorizo and Pepper Scramble
Ingredients:
– 8 eggs
– 1 tablespoon milk
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon pepper
– 3 ounces Mexican chorizo, casing removed
– 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
– 2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco
Instructions:
1. Whisk together eggs, milk, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. In skillet over medium heat, cook chorizo breaking up meat, until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add bell pepper and continue cooking 2 minutes.
4. Pour in egg mixture and cook, stirring occasionally until scrambled but still moist, about 3 minutes.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in cilantro.
6. Top with queso fresco. Serve warm.
Brussels Sprouts Hash with Bacon
Ingredients:
– 6 slices bacon, chopped
– 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced
– 1 small onion, diced
– 8 eggs, beaten
– 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Instructions:
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp, about 5-6 minutes.
2. Add Brussels sprouts and onion. Cook 5 minutes until sprouts are just tender.
3. Pour in beaten eggs and cook, stirring frequently, until eggs are set but moist.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in goat cheese and chives.
5. Serve hot sprinkled with additional pepper.
Mediterranean Egg Scramble
Ingredients:
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 zucchini, diced
– 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
– 1/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
– 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
– 8 eggs, beaten
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
– Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions:
1. In a skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
2. Add zucchini and cherry tomatoes. Cook 3-4 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in olives and feta cheese.
4. Pour in eggs. Cook, stirring frequently, until scrambled and just set, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in fresh basil.
6. Serve egg scramble warm with lemon wedges.
Scrambled Egg Q&A
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking scrambled eggs:
Should I add milk to my scrambled eggs?
Adding a splash of milk helps make scrambled eggs fluffier. However, it’s not strictly necessary. Eggs will still scramble up fine without the addition of milk.
Is it better to use heavy cream or half and half?
Heavy cream and half and half will both make rich, creamy scrambled eggs. Heavy cream has a higher fat percentage, so it makes the eggs a bit more decadent and indulgent. Half and half provides great creaminess too, just with a little less richness.
Should I salt my eggs before or after cooking?
For the most even distribution of salt, it’s best to season scrambled eggs before cooking. Stirring the salt into the raw whisked eggs allows it to fully incorporate.
What’s the best skillet for scrambling eggs?
A nonstick skillet is ideal as eggs won’t stick as readily while cooking. However, a well-seasoned cast iron or stainless steel skillet also works great.
How do I prevent my eggs from browning too fast?
Cooking on medium-low heat and stirring frequently helps avoid over-browning. Adding a tablespoon of water to the pan can also help regulate temperature so the eggs cook more gently.
How can I make my eggs creamier?
Stirring constantly over low heat makes for the creamiest texture. Letting the eggs sit long enough to over-coagulate will make them dry. Mixing in soft cream cheese, cottage cheese or mascarpone also boosts creaminess.
Can I prepare my scrambled eggs in advance?
Yes, cooked scrambled eggs keep well for 3-4 days refrigerated. Let them cool completely before storing and reheat gently when ready to eat.
Conclusion
Scrambled eggs make for a fast, protein-packed breakfast. But with the endless possibilities for flavorful mix-ins and toppings, they can also be incredibly varied and exciting. Whether you prefer your eggs mild or spicy, veggie-focused or packed with meat and cheese, the ideas in this article will help inspire you to take your scrambled eggs from boring to brilliant. Get creative with combinations of fresh herbs, spices, cheeses, produce and proteins. Top with any extras for added crunch or creaminess. With these easy tricks, scrambled eggs can be a new go-to you look forward to each morning!