Huevos Motuleños (Yucatan Eggs on Tortillas)
A Yucatan brunch of fried eggs on crisp tortillas with black beans, ham, peas and a warm red tomato salsa.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Mexican black beans. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.94 a head
- Oven100°C (80°C fan)
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 black beans in a small pan over a low heat for 5 minutes, adding a splash of water if they are thick. Keep warm.
5 min - 2
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the plantain slices for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden and soft, then lift onto kitchen paper.
6 min - 3
In a small pan, warm your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) with the peas and ham for 5 minutes, until the peas are tender and the sauce is steaming hot.
5 min - 4
Wipe out the frying pan and heat 1 tbsp oil. Fry the tortillas one at a time for about 45 seconds a side until lightly crisp at the edges but still bendy. Keep warm in a low oven, 100°C (80°C fan).
1 min 30 s - 5
Heat the last tbsp of oil in the pan and fry the eggs until the whites are set and the edges lacy, 3 minutes.
3 min - 6
Spread each tortilla with black beans, top with an egg, spoon over the salsa, ham and peas, and add the plantain. Finish with the feta and serve at once, two tortillas per person.
Tips
- Plantain should be very ripe, with black skin, so it fries sweet and soft. Ripe bananas also work in a pinch, but fry them for less time.
- Fry the tortillas just until they hold their shape. If they go too crisp they crack when you eat.
- Leave out the ham for a vegetarian plate, and stir a little extra salt into the beans.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Cooled leftover beans and salsa keep 3 days in the fridge and reheat until steaming hot.
Questions
Where is huevos motuleños from?
It comes from Motul, a town in Yucatan, and is a classic breakfast across the peninsula. Its mix of beans, ham, peas, plantain and tomato sauce on tortillas is what makes it distinct.
Can I make it ahead?
You can make the beans and salsa a day ahead and reheat them. Fry the tortillas and eggs fresh just before serving.
Is it very spicy?
Not usually. The salsa roja has a medium warmth but the beans, plantain and cheese soften it. Add a pinch of chilli flakes for more heat.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Double 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.