The Denver Omelet

The Denver omelet is a change of pace from a French omelet and is known for its firmer texture and caramelized flavor. It’s one of the first foods I learned to cook professionally as a line cook in high school. Make it a complete lunch or dinner with arugula salad and toasted bread.

Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 20 mins Servings: 1 Yield: 1 omelet

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup diced smoked ham
  • 2 tablespoons diced onion
  • 2 tablespoons diced green bell pepper
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ⅓ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Directions

Step 1

Gather all ingredients.

Ingredients to make a Denver omelet
 

Step 2

Beat eggs in a small bowl until just combined; do not overbeat.

A bowl of whisked eggs  

Step 3

Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ham, onion, and bell pepper; season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until onions soften and ham begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes.

A pan with chopped ham, onion, and bell pepper cooking in melted butter
 

Step 4

Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in eggs. Mix briefly with a spatula while shaking the pan to ensure ingredients are evenly distributed.

A pan with chopped onion, ham, bell pepper, and whisked eggs
 

Step 5

Quickly run the spatula along edges of omelet.

A spatula running along the edge of a partially cooked omelet in a pan
 

Step 6

Sprinkle Cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper over omelet.

A pan with a thin layer of eggs with ham, peppers, and onion, topped with shredded cheese and cayenne pepper
 

Step 7

Cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until top is still wet but not runny, about 5 minutes. Use a spatula to fold omelet in half and transfer it to a plate.

A Denver omelet served with a green salad and toasted bread with butter

Nutrition Facts

527 Calories
39g Fat
9g Carbs
34g Protein

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