How To Make An Omelette
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A well-made omelette is the mark of a good cook. If you haven’t mastered this simple dish, it’s time to get cracking.
My very first practical exam in culinary school was making an omelette, and it just about gave me a panic attack. We had to line up single file at the stove, and each of us had exactly 3 minutes to crack, beat, and season the eggs; pour them into a sizzling-hot skillet; shake the pan constantly to keep the eggs from sticking while simultaneously whisking the eggs with a fork so they cooked evenly; add the filling; and, finally, roll the eggs into a perfect cylinder. All the while, the chef stood by the stove and graded us (out loud).
Though an omelette is simple and made with just a few ingredients, it can be difficult to master. Like a perfectly roasted chicken or basic green salad with vinaigrette, a good omelette is considered the mark of a good cook; some chefs even require would-be line cooks to make an omelette as part of their job interview.
French vs American Omelettes
There are two main types of omelettes: French and American. A French omelette, made as described above, has a custardy, barely-set center that oozes when you cut into it and no hint of brown color.
An American omelette is fully cooked with a golden crust and fluffy texture – and, no surprise, much easier to make. The eggs are briefly scrambled in the pan and then left to set and develop a lightly golden crust. The omelet is then filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables and folded in half or thirds.
This is an American-style omelette (read: easy), but with a little French flair thanks to the creamy texture, good cheese, fresh herbs, and optional last-minute butter gloss. I keep it simple with just cheese, but feel free to add 1/4 cup of your favorite fillings; diced ham, bacon, breakfast sausage, smoked salmon, avocado, tomatoes, and cooked vegetables (like ratatouille) are all great options.
The Omelette Pan
It is essential to use a nonstick pan when making an omelette, as eggs like to stick. The size of the pan is also important, as it determines how thick or thin the base of your omelette will be. If the pan is too large, the eggs will spread too thin and dry out. For best results, use an 8-inch nonstick skillet (skillets are measured across the top) with sloping sides to make it easier to slide the omelette out of the skillet and onto a plate.
What You’ll Need To Make AN Omelette
Step-by-Step Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine the eggs with the water, a generous pinch of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. (Pro tip: Adding a bit of water makes a fluffier omelette.)
Using a fork, beat vigorously until well combined and there are no visible egg whites.
In a 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter and swirl to coat the whole surface of the pan.
Add the eggs and let cook, undisturbed, until the eggs start to set around the edges.
Once the eggs start to set, use a rubber spatula to move the cooked egg away from the edges, letting the raw egg run to the outside of the pan.
Continue gently scrambling the eggs until they are about 75% set, and then use the spatula to press the runny eggs into an even layer.
Sprinkle the cheese and herbs (if using) all over the eggs and let cook, undisturbed, until the cheese is mostly melted.
Using the spatula, fold the edge of the omelette closest to you toward the center.
Fold the other edge toward the center. This entire cooking process should take no more than 3 to 4 minutes.
Tilt the pan over the center of a plate so the omelette lands seam side down. If you’d like, spear some extra butter with a fork and run it over the top of the omelette to add extra buttery flavor.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Video Tutorial
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How To Make An Omelette
A well-made omelette is the mark of a good cook. If you haven’t mastered this simple dish, it’s time to get cracking.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons water
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus a bit more for glossing the omelette (optional)
- ⅓ cup finely shredded Gruyère, Cheddar, or any other flavorful melting cheese
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme or chives (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the eggs with the water, a generous pinch of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Using a fork or whisk, beat vigorously until well combined and there are no visible egg whites.
- In an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter and swirl to coat the whole surface of the pan. Add the eggs and let cook, undisturbed, until the eggs start to set around the edges. Once the eggs start to set, use a rubber spatula to move the cooked egg away from the edges, letting the raw egg run to the outside of the pan. Continue gently scrambling the eggs until they are about 75% set, and then use the spatula to press the runny eggs into an even layer. Sprinkle the cheese and herbs (if using) all over the eggs and let cook, undisturbed, until the cheese is mostly melted. Using the spatula, fold the edge of the omelette closest to you toward the center. Fold the other edge toward the center, and then tilt the pan over the center of a plate so the omelette lands seam side down. The entire cooking process should take no more than 3 to 4 minutes. If you'd like, spear the extra butter with a fork and run it over the top of the omelette to gloss it and give it some extra buttery flavor. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (1 servings)
- Calories: 499
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated fat: 21 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Sodium: 477 mg
- Cholesterol: 638 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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Excellent tutorial! The best omelette I’ve made…and my husband agrees. He’s always requesting one and I never want to make them because they haven’t turned out! Thank you!!
Any recommendations for a good brand of omelet pan?
Hi Kate, I have an All-Clad nonstick pan that I love. 🙂
Perfect!
Since the omelette is not turned over to cook both sides, is it runny on the inside when finished? Also, I was taught to use a half eggshell of milk instead of water. Does that affect the consistency or flavor? Thanks.
Hi Elaine, It isn’t runny but rather soft, creamy, and just cooked through (not dry). I’ve always used water, but milk works too.
Interesting about the water! Would adding milk do the same? I’ve never been good at folding over omelettes, and I like the center to be fully set. So, I make a sort of combination egg scramble/omelette where once I add my toppings, I then put a lid on the pan. The eggs fluff beautifully up and around the toppings, embedding them in the eggs 😊 I usually skip the step of lifting the edges to get the eggs to go under, unless I’m using a lot of eggs in a relatively small pan.
Yep, milk works too. ☺️
LOVE this! I have never been able to make an omelet that is nice to look at – probably because I don’t care for nonstick pans as a general rule of thumb. Ordering an 8″ one now, though!
If you’re adding meat and/or veggies, do you cook or heat those first and then add the eggs to the pan or should you cook them in a separate pan and add them just before you start to fold the omelette?
Hi Cathy, Yes they should be cooked separately and ideally added warm right before folding.
Thanks so much. Can’t wait to try your technique!
Does the temperature of the eggs prior to cooking make a difference? Should they be closer to room temp?
Hi Sally, I don’t think it makes much difference; I pull them straight from the fridge. Hope that helps!
Dear Jenn, I learned how to make scrambled eggs in a 8 or 10 inch stainless steel pan. I lost his name. He may have been a Metalurgist. He teaches this: heat the pan till water drops dance on it. This is the temp that closes up the gap between the stainless steel molecules. Now food can’t enter that gap, causing a no stick surface.
Thank you very much! I wish I was able to see this part in action though: “Once the eggs start to set, use a rubber spatula to move the cooked egg away from the edges, letting the raw egg run to the outside of the pan.” It’s a bit difficult to visualize.
David, I use the spatula to slightly lift the edge after it shows signs of being cooked, and use the other hand to quickly tip the opposite side up a bit so that some of the uncooked egg on top runs to the edge and under the cooked portion. I can do this pretty quickly on 3-4 sides of the skillet, letting much of the uncooked top run underneath and come in contact with the hot skillet. I think Jenn is describing something similar.
Depending on how much of a meal we want, we have added: bacon or sausage, tomatoes, diced peppers, onions, cooked hash browns or fried potatoes, spinach, asparagus, chopped pecans, a variety of cheeses…. Maybe omelettes are a good “clean out the fridge” supper. We sometimes top the omelette with picante sauce or salsa, depending on the ingredients used. We love Jenn’s recipes, and now our omelettes will be even tastier.