Simple Omelet Recipe

A well-made omelet is among one of life's simplest pleasures, and it requires very little to accomplish. Whether you start your morning with the protein-rich dish or like to combine it with other ingredients for a satisfying lunch or dinner, an omelet is undeniably versatile. Before getting creative with wild add-ins and experimental pairings, it's worth mastering a basic omelet to guarantee the foundations of this eggy meal. 

Recipe developer Susan Olayinka of Flexible Fridge is always on the lookout for easy meals that can be whipped up any night of the week to eliminate any hassle when cooking for yourself and your family. With this in mind, Olayinka created a simple omelet recipe that is sure to be a success. It's "such a classic," she says. 

With minimal ingredients and only 6 minutes standing between you and your egg excellence, you really have no excuse not to crack a few eggs and get started.

Gather the ingredients for this simple omelet

Apart from this recipe's speed, the 4-ingredient list is also a huge draw. For a single-serving omelet, you'll need 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons of butter, some cheese, and salt. And that's it! Olayinka prefers to use mild cheddar cheese for its subtlety, explaining that "most recipes use mature [cheddar], which is quite strong."

Of course, this is the perfect base for a number of additional toppings, so feel free to experiment with vegetables (tomatoes, olives, spinach, and onions are all classics), meats (Olayinka suggests chicken, ham, or bacon), or other types of cheese.

Whisk the eggs with the salt

Start by cracking the eggs into a bowl. Give the eggs a good whisk until the mixture is a uniform yellow color. Sprinkle in the salt and mix the contents once more. 

Melt the butter, then add the eggs

Set a small skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the butter and wait for it to melt. Then, pour in the egg mixture, ensuring that it covers the base of the skillet.

Finish cooking and add cheese

Cook the omelet for about 3 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the bottom sets and turns a golden brown color. Now, sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the surface of the eggs.

Fold and serve immediately

Using a spatula, carefully fold the omelet in half. Olayinka warns that this step "requires extra care, or the omelet could rip in half!" Finally, transfer it to a plate and serve your omelet immediately. Olayinka likes to top hers off with a sprinkle of sliced chives. Feel free to use any chopped herb of choice, or keep it plain — it'll be delicious either way.

Simple Omelet Recipe
5 from 37 ratings
Let's get cracking! Here's how to make a standard American omelet. Once you've mastered the basics, switch up the recipe with added ingredients of your choice.
Prep Time
3
minutes
Cook Time
3
minutes
Servings
1
Serving
Folded omelet on plate
Total time: 6 minutes
Ingredients
  • 3 eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup grated mild cheddar cheese
Optional Ingredients
  • chopped chives, for garnish
Directions
  1. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and salt.
  2. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the egg mixture to the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes, until the bottom is set and golden brown.
  4. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and fold the omelet in half.
  5. Transfer omelet to a plate, garnish with chives if desired, and serve while hot.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 656
Total Fat 57.6 g
Saturated Fat 31.4 g
Trans Fat 1.8 g
Cholesterol 608.3 mg
Total Carbohydrates 1.8 g
Dietary Fiber 0.0 g
Total Sugars 0.7 g
Sodium 611.3 mg
Protein 32.3 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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