If you’re on the hunt for a dish that’s bursting with vibrant flavor yet incredibly simple to prepare, this Spanish Garlic Eggs Recipe will absolutely steal your heart. It’s a perfect harmony of rich, golden eggs gently fried in fragrant garlic-infused olive oil and topped with a fresh parsley-garlic sauce that elevates every bite. Whether you’re cooking a cozy breakfast or a delightful tapas-style snack, this recipe brings a little sunshine from Spain right to your kitchen table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Spanish Garlic Eggs Recipe lies in the quality and straightforwardness of its ingredients. Each element adds its own special touch—whether it’s the creamy eggs, the punchy garlic, or the grassy notes from fresh parsley. These simple components combine beautifully to create something truly unforgettable.
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped: Perfect for making the aromatic garlic-parsley paste that anchors the flavor.
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (8 grams): Adds a fresh, herbaceous brightness to the sauce.
- Pinch sea salt: Enhances the natural flavors in both the sauce and the eggs.
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (30 ml): Used in the garlic-parsley paste, providing that silky richness.
- 4 cage-free organic eggs: The star of the dish, with creamy yolks that soak up the garlicky goodness.
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced: Infuses the frying oil with a deep, toasty garlic aroma for the eggs.
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (60 ml): The frying medium that carries all those subtle flavors.
- Dash black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and complexity.
How to Make Spanish Garlic Eggs Recipe
Step 1: Create the Garlic-Parsley Paste
Begin by pounding the roughly chopped garlic and fresh parsley together with a pinch of sea salt in a mortar and pestle. This technique releases intense flavors and creates a vibrant green paste. Stir in 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to balance the sharp garlic while adding richness. Setting this sauce aside early allows the flavors to meld beautifully by the time your eggs are ready.
Step 2: Warm the Olive Oil
Pour a generous 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil into a frying pan and place it over medium heat. Warming the oil gradually is key so it becomes infused with the garlic without burning. This is the secret to that luscious, golden flavor that permeates every bite of the eggs.
Step 3: Prepare Garlic and Eggs
While the oil warms, thinly slice the remaining garlic cloves. Then carefully crack your eggs into two small bowls with two eggs each. This simple step helps to slide them gently into the pan without breaking the yolks, ensuring they cook evenly and look picture-perfect.
Step 4: Brown the Garlic and Fry the Eggs
Once your oil is hot but not smoking, add half of the sliced garlic. Stir it around for about 30 to 45 seconds until it turns a lovely light brown with a toasty aroma. Gently add two eggs to the pan, then arrange the browned garlic slices on top of each one. At this stage, resist the urge to move the eggs so they can form a gorgeous golden crust on the bottom.
Step 5: Finish Cooking the Eggs
After about 1 to 2 minutes, when the eggs have developed a beautiful crust and the whites start to set, use a spoon to baste them lightly with the hot garlic oil on top. This cooking method adds flavor and helps the whites finish cooking without scrambling. It’s a little trick that makes all the difference.
Step 6: Repeat and Plate
Carefully lift the eggs with a spatula, letting the excess oil drip back into the pan. Repeat the frying process with the remaining garlic and eggs. Arrange all the eggs on a serving dish, season with sea salt and a dash of black pepper, then generously spoon the vibrant parsley-garlic sauce over them. Serve immediately while everything is warm, fragrant, and inviting.
How to Serve Spanish Garlic Eggs Recipe
Garnishes
Freshness can be the perfect finishing touch, so sprinkle an extra pinch of chopped parsley or even a tiny drizzle of good quality olive oil right before serving. For a touch of heat, a sprinkle of smoked paprika can add a smoky depth that complements the garlicky goodness beautifully.
Side Dishes
Spanish Garlic Eggs Recipe pairs wonderfully with crusty bread to soak up that luscious, flavored oil. Consider serving it alongside a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted cherry tomatoes for a bright contrast. These sides keep the meal balanced while enhancing the overall experience.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling playful, serve these eggs atop warm toasted baguette slices to create elegant open-faced sandwiches. For a brunch crowd, place them on a bed of sautéed spinach or mushrooms for added texture and color. The beautiful simplicity of this recipe makes it incredibly versatile, perfect for both casual and more refined presentations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your Spanish Garlic Eggs Recipe, be sure to refrigerate them in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days. Keep the parsley-garlic sauce separate if possible to maintain its vibrant flavor and color.
Freezing
While eggs fried with garlic oil are best enjoyed fresh, if you need to freeze leftovers, place the eggs flat in a freezer-safe container and consume within one month. Expect some slight texture changes upon thawing, but the flavor will still be delightful.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the eggs in a skillet over low heat, basting with a touch of olive oil to prevent drying out. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the golden crust intact. Reheat the parsley-garlic sauce separately and spoon it over just before serving for that fresh burst of flavor.
FAQs
Can I use a food processor instead of a mortar and pestle?
Absolutely! A food processor can quickly create the garlic-parsley paste, but pounding by hand allows for better control of texture and helps release the garlic’s essential oils more effectively for deeper flavor.
Is it okay to use regular garlic instead of organic?
You can, but fresh, organic garlic tends to have a milder, less bitter taste that really makes this dish shine. Choosing good-quality garlic elevates the overall result significantly.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
This Spanish Garlic Eggs Recipe is naturally dairy-free, which is great. To make it vegan, you could try replacing eggs with tofu slices seasoned similarly, but the classic richness comes from the eggs themselves.
What type of olive oil is best for this recipe?
Extra virgin olive oil is the way to go here. Its fruity, peppery notes add depth to the garlic oil and parsley sauce, making the entire dish taste vibrant and authentic.
How spicy is this dish? Can I adjust the heat?
This recipe isn’t spicy by default, but you can easily add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of spicy paprika while cooking the garlic if you love a little kick. It’s flexible and forgiving!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about the simplicity and bold flavors in this Spanish Garlic Eggs Recipe. With only a handful of ingredients and quick steps, you can elevate your breakfast or snack to memorable new heights. Trust me, once you try these garlicky, golden eggs, they’ll become a beloved staple in your kitchen rotation. So, don’t wait—whip up this vibrant dish and share the deliciousness with those you love!
Print
Spanish Garlic Eggs Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A flavorful Spanish Garlic Eggs recipe featuring eggs fried in garlic-infused olive oil, topped with a fresh parsley and garlic sauce. This simple yet delicious dish highlights bold garlic flavors and velvety runny egg yolks, perfect for a savory breakfast or light meal.
Ingredients
Parsley-Garlic Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (8 grams)
- Pinch sea salt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (30 ml)
Eggs and Garlic Frying
- 4 cage-free organic eggs
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (60 ml)
- Dash black pepper
- Pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Parsley-Garlic Sauce: In a mortar, combine 2 roughly chopped garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, and a pinch of sea salt. Pound the ingredients with a pestle until a smooth paste forms. Stir in 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to create a vibrant garlic-herb sauce. Set aside.
- Heat the Olive Oil: Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) of extra virgin olive oil into a small to medium frying pan. Warm it over medium heat, preparing it to gently fry the garlic and eggs.
- Prepare Garlic and Eggs: Thinly slice the remaining 4 garlic cloves. Crack the 4 eggs into two separate small bowls, two eggs per bowl, for easy handling when frying.
- Fry Garlic and Eggs – First Batch: When the olive oil is hot but not smoking, add half of the sliced garlic. Stir continuously for 30 to 45 seconds until the garlic is lightly browned and fragrant. Gently add two eggs into the pan. Arrange the browned garlic slices on top of the eggs. Allow the eggs to fry undisturbed.
- Cook Eggs and Baste: Once the eggs develop a golden crust on the bottom, around 1 to 2 minutes, carefully spoon some of the hot garlic oil over the egg whites to help them cook through without flipping.
- Repeat Frying Process: Remove the cooked eggs using a spatula, letting excess oil drip off. Repeat the frying process with the remaining garlic slices and eggs in the same manner.
- Serve: Place all cooked eggs on a serving dish. Season with sea salt and a dash of black pepper. Generously spoon the reserved parsley-garlic sauce over the eggs. Serve immediately to enjoy the full flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality eggs for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust browning time of garlic to avoid bitterness from overcooking.
- For a milder garlic flavor, reduce the amount of garlic in the sauce or fried slices.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful garlic oil and sauce.
- Can be doubled or tripled easily for more servings.
