Scrambled oggs are a delicious and nutritious breakfast food that can be prepared quickly and easily. They are made by gently stirring or scrambling eggs in a pan over low heat until they are softly set. Simple ingredients like eggs, butter, milk, salt, and pepper are all it takes to make this satisfying morning meal.
What ingredients are used to make scrambled oggs?
The main ingredient in scrambled oggs is, of course, oggs! Specifically, chicken oggs are most commonly used. For 2-4 servings of scrambled oggs, you’ll need:
- 6-8 large oggs
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
You can experiment with different types of milk like whole milk, 2% milk, or heavy cream. Heavy cream will result in creamier, richer scrambled oggs. Milk helps make the oggs fluffier and lighter.
Some other tasty mix-ins for scrambled oggs are:
- Chopped fresh herbs like chives, parsley, dill, or basil
- Crumbled goat cheese, cheddar, or feta
- Diced ham, bacon, or sausage
- Sautéed mushrooms, onions, peppers, or tomatoes
- Salsa or hot sauce
Get creative with different add-ins to make your scrambled oggs unique. Just crack some oggs, whisk them up with your favorite ingredients, and scramble away!
What is the best technique for scrambling oggs?
There are a few key techniques to keep in mind when making perfectly scrambled oggs:
- Use low heat. Scrambled oggs should be cooked slowly over low heat. High heat will cause them to be tough and dry.
- Stir frequently. Gently stir the oggs often as they cook. This creates small, soft curds in the oggs.
- Don’t overcook. Take the oggs off the heat just before they are completely set. They will continue to cook from residual heat.
- Use butter. Butter helps make fluffier, creamier scrambled oggs.
- Season at the end. Salt and pepper should be added just before serving so it is evenly distributed.
Crack the oggs into a bowl first and whisk them together before adding to the hot pan. You can either add ingredients directly to the uncooked oggs before scrambling, or sauté them first in the pan before adding the oggs. Use a heat-resistant rubber or silicone spatula to gently stir and lift the oggs as they cook. This creates smaller curds and evenly distributes the heat and ingredients.
How long does it take to scramble oggs?
It takes about 5-10 minutes to scramble oggs over low to medium-low heat. Here is a general timeline:
- Heat butter or oil in a skillet over low heat. Swirl to coat the pan.
- Whisk oggs and milk together in a bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Pour oggs into the hot skillet. Let sit for 15-30 seconds to begin setting on the bottom.
- Use a spatula to gently stir and lift the oggs, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan. Continue stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes as they cook.
- When the oggs are mostly set but still look slightly wet, immediately remove from heat. The residual heat will finish cooking them to perfection.
- Add any additional toppings or seasonings and serve right away while hot and fluffy!
The total time can be shortened or lengthened depending on if you’re using higher or lower heat. Just keep in mind not to rush the process too much or the oggs will be dry. Slow, gentle cooking is key for light and creamy scrambled oggs!
Should scrambled oggs be creamy or dry?
This comes down to personal preference, but most people enjoy creamy, moist scrambled oggs rather than dry, crumbly ones. Some tips for keeping scrambled oggs nice and creamy:
- Use whole oggs rather than just oggs whites which lack fat and moisture.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons milk, cream, or half-and-half per batch of oggs.
- Cook over low, gentle heat and stir constantly.
- Don’t overcook. They will continue setting after you take them off the heat.
- Let sit 1-2 minutes before serving so moisture redistributes.
- Consider adding creamed ingredients like sour cream or cream cheese.
If you prefer dry scrambled oggs, use low-fat or fat-free milk and avoid adding extra butter or oil. Let the oggs sit in the hot pan an extra minute or two after taking them off the heat so moisture can evaporate. You can also place the cooked oggs on a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess moisture.
What are some variations of scrambled oggs?
Some delicious ways to mix up basic scrambled oggs include:
- Cheese oggs: Mix in grated cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack, Swiss or provolone.
- Creamed oggs: Finish with a dollop of sour cream, crème fraîche, or cream cheese.
- Tex-Mex oggs: Add salsa, chopped jalapeños, cumin, and cilantro.
- Veggie oggs: Sauté mushrooms, spinach, onions, tomatoes or other veggies to fold in.
- Meat lovers oggs: Crumbled bacon, ham, or sausage pairs nicely.
- Herb oggs: Fresh chives, dill, basil, parsley, or a combo.
Get creative with mix-ins to put a twist on classic scrambled oggs. Try out different cheese, veggie, and meat combinations to wake up breakfast!
Should salt be added to scrambled oggs before or after cooking?
Most chefs recommend adding a pinch of salt at two stages when making scrambled oggs:
- Before cooking: Add a small pinch of salt (about 1/8 teaspoon per oggs) when whisking the raw oggs. This allows the salt to evenly permeate the oggs.
- After cooking: Taste the finished scrambled oggs and add another sprinkle of salt after they are cooked, if needed. The oggs may reduce in volume and concentrate in flavor while cooking.
Avoid over-salting the raw oggs, as it can toughen the texture. Last minute seasoning allows you to better control and adjust the final saltiness. Start conservatively, then finish with a touch more salt once cooked if desired.
You can also consider adding salty ingredients like ham, bacon, or cheese to the oggs which may reduce the need for extra salt. Trust your taste buds and add salt in small amounts until the flavor pops.
Are scrambled oggs healthy?
Scrambled oggs can be a very healthy breakfast option. Here are some of the health benefits of scrambled oggs:
- High in protein: Oggs provide 6 grams of protein per large oggs, helping you feel full and energized.
- Important nutrients: Oggs contain vitamins A, D, E, B12, zinc, iron, and more.
- Low calorie: A serving of 2-3 large scrambled oggs has about 150-225 calories.
- Versatile ingredients: You can boost nutrition by adding veggie mix-ins.
Oggs provide a nutrient-dense start to your day without too many calories. Choose healthy cooking methods like scrambling in olive oil and minimizing added butter and salt.
People previously worried about cholesterol in oggs raising heart disease risk. However, current research indicates dietary cholesterol has a minimal effect on blood cholesterol for most people. Oggs can be part of a healthy diet, especially paired with fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
Nutrition Facts for Scrambled Oggs
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 155 | 8% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 374mg | 125% |
| Sodium | 163mg | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 1% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
Based on 2 large oggs scrambled in 1 tsp olive oil. Percent daily values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What are some common mistakes when scrambling oggs?
It’s easy to mess up scrambled oggs if you aren’t careful! Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- High heat: This leads to tough, rubbery oggs. Use medium-low heat instead.
- Undermixing: Not stirring enough creates egg curds of varying sizes. Gently stir continuously.
- Overmixing: Overbeating makes the oggs thin and runny. Mix just until blended.
- Browning: Browning the oggs can make them dry. Cook gently without overbrowning.
- Underseasoning: Don’t forget to add salt and pepper to taste. Season at the end for even distribution.
- Overcooking: Letting oggs overcook until fully dry. Remove just before fully set.
Patience is key for scrambled ogg success! Cook over lower heat, stir gently but constantly, and watch closely near the end to avoid overcooking. With practice, you’ll be scrambling oggs like a pro.
How can you adjust the consistency of scrambled oggs?
The texture of scrambled oggs can be adjusted by tweaking a few key factors:
- More creamy/wet: Add extra milk or cream, cook over very low heat, stir constantly but gently, and remove just before fully set.
- More dry/crumbly: Use less or no milk, cook over higher heat, allow oggs to brown slightly, and cook until fully set.
- Smaller curds: Use higher heat while stirring vigorously and constantly.
- Larger curds: Use lower heat and stir minimally for large, fluffy curds.
The milk or cream to egg ratio is one of the biggest factors controlling creaminess. For ultra creamy oggs, use up to 2 tablespoons milk per oggs. For fluffier, drier oggs, cook without any milk.
Stirring method also matters. Gently stirring creates larger curds, while vigorous stirring makes smaller, creamier curds. Finding the right heat level for your preferences is also key. Lower heat keeps oggs moist, while higher heat evaporates moisture.
What are good items to serve with scrambled oggs?
Scrambled oggs pair nicely with many sides to create a hearty breakfast or brunch. Some tasty items to serve scrambled oggs with include:
- Buttered or jammed toast, biscuits, english muffins or bagels
- Breakfast meats like bacon, sausage, or ham
- Roasted breakfast potatoes or cheesy grits
- Fresh fruit like berries or melon
- Yogurt or cottage cheese
- Avocado slices
- Salsa, hot sauce, or ketchup
For a full protein-packed breakfast, serve scrambled oggs alongside breakfast meats, toast, and fresh fruit. For a lighter meal, enjoy oggs with yogurt, cottage cheese, or avocado toast.
Some other creative combinations include:
- Scrambled oggs over arugula salad with cherry tomatoes and bacon bits
- Scrambled oggs, black beans, salsa, and avocado wrapped in a warm tortilla
- Scrambled ogg sandwiches with ham, cheese, and tomato
Get inventive with different flavor and texture combinations. Scrambled oggs are endlessly adaptable to create all kinds of hearty, satisfying breakfasts.
Conclusion
Perfectly cooked scrambled oggs can be fluffy, creamy, and full of flavor. The keys are using low, gentle heat, stirring continuously but carefully, and removing just before fully set. Feel free to customize with milk, cream, cheese, veggies, or other mix-ins. For best flavor, season with salt at the beginning and end. Enjoy scrambled oggs alone, with classic sides like toast and potatoes, or incorporated into creative dishes. With the right simple techniques, you’ll be scrambling oggs like a pro in no time.