Easy Western Hash Brown Omelet Recipe: A Breakfast Delight

Whipping up a western hash brown omelet brings comfort and zest right to your breakfast table.

Crispy potatoes and savory ham create a delightful morning mashup that satisfies serious hunger pangs.

Cheese melts into golden layers, adding richness to each delectable bite.

Southwest-inspired seasonings dance across the plate with peppers and onions lending robust flavor profiles.

Regional ingredients combine seamlessly, transforming ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Packed with protein and bold tastes, this dish promises a morning meal that keeps you energized through midday adventures.

Let’s uncover how simple ingredients can craft an irresistible breakfast experience.

Why You’ll Crave This Hash Brown Omelet

• Customize with Ease: Switch up ingredients like using bacon instead of ham or adding different vegetables for a personalized breakfast experience.
• Broiler Magic: The broiler technique creates a perfectly golden top and melts cheese beautifully without constant stovetop monitoring.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by using a single skillet for cooking, preparing, and serving the entire dish.
• Weekend Brunch Champion: Impress family and friends with a restaurant-quality meal that looks and tastes more complicated than its simple preparation.

What’s Inside the Ultimate Hash Brown Omelet

• Eggs: The key protein base that forms the fluffy omelet structure.
• Frozen Hash Browns: A crispy potato base that creates a unique crust for the omelet.
• Ham: A savory meat that adds rich flavor and protein to the dish.
• Cheese: Provides a melty, creamy texture and enhances the overall taste.

• Bell Peppers, Onion, Scallions: Fresh vegetables that add color, crunch, and layers of flavor to the omelet.

• Olive Oil, Butter, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings and fats that help cook and enhance the taste of the ingredients.

How to Cook a Crispy Western Omelet

Step 1: Whip Up Eggs

Crack eggs into a large mixing bowl and beat vigorously until they become light and foamy.

Step 2: Sauté Veggie and Meat Mixture

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.

• Ham
• Bell peppers
• Onion
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook while stirring occasionally until vegetables become tender and start to brown, around 6 minutes. Transfer this mixture into the bowl with beaten eggs.

Step 3: Prepare Hash Brown Base

Wipe out the skillet and return to medium-high heat. Melt butter in the skillet, then spread frozen hash browns in an even layer.

Press hash browns into the bottom and sides of the skillet using a spatula. Cook until the bottom turns golden brown, approximately 6 minutes.

Step 4: Add Egg Mixture

Pour the egg and vegetable mixture over the hash browns evenly.

Step 5: Broil and Melt

Transfer the skillet to the broiler.

Cook until eggs are partially set, about 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle cheese and most of the scallions over the eggs.

Continue broiling until cheese melts and eggs are completely set, an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Use a small spatula to loosen the omelet’s edge.

Slide onto a serving platter and fold in half. Cut into wedges and top with reserved scallions.

Tips for Nailing a Diner-Worthy Hash Brown Omelet

• Ensure eggs are beaten until foamy for a light, fluffy texture that adds volume to the omelet.
• Press hash browns firmly against skillet sides to create a crispy, golden crust that serves as a delicious potato base.
• Select a nonstick ovenproof skillet to prevent sticking and make transferring between stovetop and broiler seamless.
• Broil eggs carefully, watching closely to avoid overcooking and maintain a creamy, soft consistency.
• Sprinkle fresh scallions on top just before serving to add a bright, zesty flavor and appealing green color contrast.

Flavor Up Your Western Omelet with These Ideas

• Spicy Southwest Skillet: Replace ham with chorizo, add jalapeños, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Veggie Version: Substitute ham with diced zucchini, use feta cheese, mix in spinach, and top with kalamata olives for a Mediterranean flair.
• Breakfast Bacon Blast: Replace ham with crispy bacon pieces, use smoked gouda cheese, add diced mushrooms, and garnish with chives for extra flavor.
• Seafood Sunrise Skillet: Swap ham with cooked shrimp, use gruyère cheese, add diced asparagus, and finish with fresh dill for an elegant seafood twist.

What to Serve with Your Hash Brown Omelet

• Sip Savory Shiraz: Pair this hearty Western Hash Brown Omelet with a robust Shiraz red wine that complements the rich ham and melted cheese flavors.
• Brunch Beverage Boost: Enjoy a crisp, freshly squeezed orange juice or sparkling mimosa to cut through the omelet's richness and provide a bright, citrusy contrast.
• Breakfast Side Symphony: Add a small mixed green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the dish's heaviness and introduce a refreshing vegetable element.
• Morning Comfort Companion: Serve with a smooth cappuccino or latte to enhance the breakfast experience and provide a warm, creamy counterpoint to the savory omelet.

Keep That Omelet Crispy for Later

• Refrigerate: Store leftover omelet in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring it's covered tightly to prevent drying out.
• Microwave Reheating: Place individual slice on microwave-safe plate. Heat at 50% power for 30-45 seconds, checking midway to prevent overcooking. Add splash of water to maintain moisture.
• Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap omelet slice in aluminum foil to retain moisture. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Unwrap last 2-3 minutes to crisp hash brown edges.
• Freezing Option: Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze up to 1 month.

Western Hash Brown Omelet—All Your Questions, Answered

• Can I use fresh hash browns instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh hash browns, but ensure they are well-drained and patted dry to prevent excess moisture.

• What type of cheese works best in this recipe?

Cheddar, monterey jack, or a blend of cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar work perfectly for this omelet.

• Is it necessary to use an ovenproof skillet?

Yes, an ovenproof skillet is crucial for transferring the dish from stovetop to broiler without changing cookware.

• Can I make this omelet vegetarian?

Simply omit the ham and replace it with additional vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for a vegetarian version.

Western Hash Brown Omelet Recipe

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4.5 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory western hash brown omelet brings together crispy potatoes, melted cheese, and classic diner-style flavors in one skillet sensation. Hearty breakfast perfection awaits you with this simple yet satisfying morning classic that promises restaurant-quality comfort right at home.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 8 large eggs
• 4 ounces (113 grams) thickly sliced deli ham, diced
• 4 ounces (113 grams) smoked gouda cheese, grated

Vegetables:

• 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bunch scallions, chopped

Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cups frozen shredded hash browns
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper

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Instructions

1. Whisk eggs in a large bowl until frothy and aerated.
2. Sauté ham, bell peppers, and onions in olive oil over medium-high heat for approximately 6 minutes, stirring intermittently until vegetables soften and caramelize slightly. Incorporate the sautéed mixture into the whisked eggs.
3. Prepare broiler at high temperature. Clean skillet and return to medium-high heat. Melt butter and distribute frozen hash browns evenly across the pan, pressing into bottom and sides using a spatula. Cook until crispy golden brown, around 6 minutes.
4. Gently cascade egg and vegetable mixture over the hash brown crust, ensuring uniform coverage.
5. Transfer skillet to broiler and cook for 3-5 minutes until eggs begin to set.
6. Sprinkle cheese across the surface, reserving few scallions for garnish. Continue broiling 2-3 minutes until cheese melts completely and eggs become fully set.
7. Using a small spatula, carefully detach omelet edges from skillet. Gracefully slide onto serving platter, folding in half.
8. Slice into wedge portions and garnish with remaining scallions.

Notes

• Swap ham for turkey or vegetarian bacon to create a lighter protein option that still packs incredible flavor.
• Ensure hash browns are pressed firmly against skillet sides to create a crispy, golden-brown crust that acts like a delicious potato shell.
• Use low-fat cheese or dairy-free alternatives for those managing cholesterol or following plant-based diets without compromising taste.
• Broiler timing is crucial – watch closely to prevent overcooking eggs, which can turn rubbery and lose their creamy, soft texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Broiling
• Cuisine: Western

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 590 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 400 mg