Huevos Ahogados (Eggs Poached in Salsa Roja)
Eggs poached right in a bubbling red salsa until the yolks are just set, scooped up with warm corn tortillas.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.38 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Warm the corn tortillas one at a time in a dry frying pan for 30 seconds on each side, then wrap them in a clean tea towel to keep soft.
1 min - 2
Heat the oil in a wide, deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4 minutes until soft but not brown.
4 min - 3
Pour in your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) with the water. Bring to a steady bubble and simmer for 5 minutes so the salsa thickens slightly.
5 min - 4
Make 8 small wells in the salsa with the back of a spoon. Crack an egg into each one, turn the heat to low and cover the pan.
- 5
Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft. Cook for 6 minutes if you like firm yolks.
4 min 30 s - 6
Scatter over the feta and coriander. Serve straight from the pan, two eggs per person, with the warm tortillas for scooping.
Tips
- Keep the salsa at a gentle bubble, not a boil. A hard boil breaks the egg whites and makes the sauce spit.
- Crack each egg into a cup first, then slide it into the well. This stops shell getting in and keeps the yolks whole.
- Crumbled queso fresco is the traditional topping, and vegetarian feta is the easy UK swap. Leave the cheese out for a dairy free version.
Storing and freezing
Eat straight away. The salsa alone keeps 3 days in the fridge, but cooked eggs are best not reheated.
Questions
Can I use less salsa?
Yes, but keep at least 300 ml so the eggs sit in a pool of sauce. Thin it with a splash more water if the pan looks dry.
How do I stop the yolks overcooking?
Cover the pan, keep the heat low and start checking at 4 minutes. The yolks keep cooking a little from the hot salsa after you serve.
Are huevos ahogados the same as shakshuka?
They are close cousins, eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce. Huevos ahogados use a dried guajillo chilli salsa and are scooped up with corn tortillas.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Picaditas de Frijol con Salsa Roja y Queso Fresco (Veracruz Bean Picaditas)
GFEFNFChicharrón en Salsa Roja (Pork Crackling in Red Salsa)
GFDFEFTlayuda Oaxaqueña (Oaxacan Bean and Cheese Tlayuda)
GFEFNFCamarones en Salsa Roja (Prawns in Red Chilli Salsa)
GFDFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.