[1][2] The basic dish consists of fried eggs served on lightly fried or charred corn or flour tortillas topped with a spicy salsa made of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onion.

Common accompaniments include refried beans, Mexican-style rice, and guacamole or slices of avocado, with cilantro as a garnish.

[3] As the dish spread beyond Mexico, variations using pureed chile or enchilada sauce instead of tomato-chili pico de gallo have appeared.

[4] In New Mexico, huevos rancheros use red or green New Mexico chile instead of ranchero sauce, rarely include rice, and typically include hash browns, refried beans, and melted cheese on top.

[9] Similar dishes are huevos motuleños of Yucatan[10] and New Mexican enchiladas montadas.