You’re here because you want to learn how to make a perfect fried egg. You’re in the right place. Read on. Find more recipes like this one in my How-To: Cooking Series.

The Fried Egg in Cuban Cuisine

There’s nothing like an afternoon snack of steamy leftover rice with a freshly fried egg, crispy on the outside, with a perfectly preserved yolk. There are a lot of Cuban nicknames for this dish (which I won’t get into haha), but rest assured, Arroz con Huevo Frito, simply translated as Rice and Fried Egg, is a classic Latin and Caribbean rice staple.

Fried Egg at a Cuban Restaurant

And who can resist a couple of fried eggs with some Cuban toast, Cafe con Leche, French Fries, and bacon early in the morning? This quick breakfast combo is everything you need to start the day: protein, carbs, caffeine, and butter. All usually available at any fine Cuban establishment for less than $5.

The Art of Cooking A Fried Egg is.. Well, an Art.

Now, if learning to make a fried egg at home is the beginning of your cooking journey, welcome. You have a lot to explore. You’ll try many eggs, many different shapes, and temperatures. You’ll soon find your favorite.

But this is one of the three ways I most appreciate eating eggs. If it were up to me, you can keep the other 97. It’s pronounced “who-evoe fareeto”, for my non-bilingual readers.

In this recipe, you can cook the egg to your liking, but if you cook it anything over easy with just the edges slightly crisping, this is now your recipe, and there’s nothing traditional about it. Give the egg the “jiggle” test, as my sweet line cooks say. Your egg yolk should be completely runny. That’s the whole point. It’s got the sauce, if you will.

Fried Egg, Huevo Frito Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make a delicious fried egg.

You’ll need: Shallow Saute Pan, Spatula

A Perfect Fried Egg

Serving Size:
1-2 Eggs per Person
Time:
5 Minutes
Difficulty:
Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 or more fresh large eggs
  • Cooking Oil
  • Salt and Pepper (Optional)

Directions

  1. Place a non-stick frying pan on the stove over medium heat. Allow it to heat up for a minute or two.
  2. Once the pan is hot, add a small amount of cooking oil. Swirl the oil to coat the bottom of the pan evenly.
  3. Crack the egg on the counter or flat surface, not on the edge of the pan.
  4. Gently open the egg with your hands close to the pan, and drop the egg into the center. Be careful not to break the yolk and be cautious not to burn your fingers.
  5. Cook the egg for about 2-3 minutes until the whites begin to harden. The edges will begin to crisp up depending on how hot your pan was. You can scoop oil onto the edges of the egg whites to speed up the process before your egg yolk cooks.
  6. Once the egg is cooked to your liking, use the spatula to place the egg on a plate. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

Remember, you can customize your fried egg with different cooking times and seasonings, but a good Cuban Fried Egg is served just like this. The whites should be solid, the edges should be crispy, and the yolk should be completely runny. Pair this dish with white rice, Cuban toast, or your favorite entree.

Try it out, and let me know if you have any questions or comments. Good luck!