Best 8 Savory French Omelet Recipes

CLASSIC FRENCH OMELETTE

Steps:

• Crack eggs into a medium bowl. Use a fork to whisk until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute; stir in a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. To make clarified butter: In a small saucepan, melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter over medium heat and bring to a simmer, 5-7 minutes. As white foam collects on the surface, skim off with a small ladle or spoon and discard; these are the milk solids. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue skimming until the butter is clear. Pour the clarified butter through a cheesecloth-lined strainer to catch the smaller milk solids, and set aside. (Note: Clarified butter has a higher smoke point than regular butter, allowing for cooking at higher temperatures. Clarified butter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several months.)
• Heat a 10-inch nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon clarified butter and swirl to coat to bottom. When the pan is hot, pour in the eggs and begin quickly and gently shaking the pan. While shaking, stir the eggs with a heatproof spatula, using small circular movements to loosen the curds and lightly scramble, about 20 seconds. The constant movement should prevent any part of the eggs from overcooking or taking on color.
• When the eggs are creamy and still only partly cooked, shake the pan to level the omelette. Turn the heat to low. Tilt the pan slightly and begin rolling the omelette: first, loosen the edge closest to the handle, then roll it toward the middle. (The cooked side should show no browning.) When the omelette is half-rolled, run the spatula around the far edge to release the eggs from the pan. Then tilt the pan more sharply and tap it firmly on the stovetop (or a cutting board) to loosen the omelette. Bang on the handle with your free hand to help the far edge begin to roll up; use the spatula as needed to tuck it toward the center of the omelette. Add butter to the pan and let it melt along the exterior of the omelette.
• Gently flip the omelette onto a plate, seam side down. Use your hands or a spatula to gently perfect the shape and tuck in any loose edges. Serve immediately.

FRENCH-STYLE OMELET

Steps:

• Crack eggs into a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Beat eggs back and forth with a fork to break them up and mix thoroughly until whites and yolks are indistinguishable from one another and they resemble foamy orange juice.
• Heat a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add butter and swirl until melted and foamy but not browned. If butter begins to brown, the pan is too hot.
• Pour eggs into skillet; it should be hot enough that eggs begin to curl up around the edges. Agitate the pan and move the eggs with a spatula as if you are giving them a light scramble, until a little creamy and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. The entire bottom of the pan should be covered with egg. Turn off heat and add desired fillings.
• Hold the handle of the skillet and place skillet edge in the middle of a plate. Flip one end of the omelet over with your hand or a spatula to partly cover the filling. Next, using your hand or a spatula, gently roll omelet over again. Gently shake skillet and nudge it onto the plate with spatula or hand so that it is seam-side down. When omelet is out of skillet, form the omelet on the plate with your hand, tucking in the sides to make a plump oval packet. The top of the omelet will be fluffy and blond without any browning and ends hidden underneath.

HOW TO MAKE AN OMELET

Steps:

• The French have a genius for cooking with eggs. They poach them, they use them in sauces, they whip them into soufflés. And they fold them into omelets, an excellent introduction to that great tradition.Like much of French cuisine, the omelet represents the perfect intersection of a precise technique and a pristine ingredient. The more skilled the cook and the better the eggs, the more ethereal the result. The omelet is such an icon that it is often held up as the test of a chef's abilities. But it is also regarded as one of the fundamentals, among the first dishes Julia Child made on Boston public television for French cooking neophytes as she publicized "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." Whether made by a professional or a novice, it is undeniably speedy. As Child once said, introducing the dish: "How about dinner in half a minute?"So what makes an omelet uniquely French? It is the exacting technique of folding the eggs to yield tender, loose curds in the center and a delicate but firm exterior. That juxtaposition sets the omelet apart from Italian frittatas, Spanish tortillas and Persian kukus, which are cooked into flat, sliceable cakes. We give a classic omelet recipe here, and another for an omelet mousseline, a fluffy variation in which the whites are whipped and then added to the yolks. An omelet can be made either savory or sweet, and although sweet omelets have all but fallen away these days, it might be time to resurrect them. After all, eggs can be seasoned with sugar and fruit or a syrupy jam as easily as with salt, onions and cheese; think of clafoutis, tarts and soufflés. Once you have mastered the basic technique, the variations are practically limitless.
• The omelet is ancient. Doubtlessly humans have eaten fried, beaten eggs since hens and other fowl were domesticated in the sixth century B.C. Romans had ovemele, eggs cooked with honey and pepper; Persians ate kuku, eggs fried with copious amounts of herbs. There were tortillas in early Spain, and frittatas in what would become Italy.All were fried cakes loaded with fillings - vegetables, meat, potatoes, spices and herbs - cooked on both sides until set, and then sliced so they could be eaten out of hand.But the fluffy French omelet we know is different. With its barely set eggs, it requires a spoon or fork to be eaten. The word, and variations of it, date to the mid-16th century - around the same time Catherine de Medici of Italy, who was married to King Henry II of France, is said to have introduced the fork to the French. Historians have speculated that the emergence of the fork and the evolution of the omelet may be intertwined.By the 17th century, the omelet entered the canon, appearing in La Varenne's "Le Pâtissier François" (1653) as an aumelette. The arrival of better stoves with enclosed fires, in the 18th century, made it easier for cooks to prepare omelets because they could more easily regulate the heat. The omelet's popularity has only grown and endured, making it a staple today around the world in restaurants and home kitchens alike. From top, "Mound of Butter" by Antoine Vollon (1833-1900) and an illustration from the French weekly magazine La Cuisine des Familles.
• Omelet pan If you don't own a nonstick pan or a seasoned, carbon-steel omelet pan, now is the time to invest in a good one. It will be difficult to master an omelet in a stainless-steel pan or cast-iron skillet; those heavier pans are too hard to maneuver. Buy something easy to handle that adjusts to heat changes quickly.Spatula A heat-resistant rubber spatula is an excellent all-purpose kitchen tool. Here, you'll use it for stirring and folding the eggs.Wirecutter, a product recommendations website owned by The New York Times Company, has guides to the best nonstick pans and spatulas.
• This is a basic French omelet with three eggs: enough for a hearty breakfast or brunch, or a light supper for one. The key is to control the heat so the eggs do not brown, and to whisk the eggs in the skillet so the exterior sets but they remain fluffy inside.
• The omelet is extraordinarily simple, and so it pays to choose your ingredients smartly and practice the cooking techniques at the stove.• European-style butter is best for an omelet because the fat content is slightly higher than that of most American-style butters. Always use unsalted butter, then add salt to the eggs, so you have greater control over the seasoning.• Use good eggs, preferably local. Eggs are the main component of this dish; the more flavorful they are, the better your omelet will be. They should be at room temperature, to allow your omelet to cook quickly and evenly. Leave them on the counter for an hour before cooking, or let them sit covered in warm water for 20 minutes. • Don't overbeat your eggs. Beat them lightly, just until the white and yolks are well mixed and uniform in color, but not airy or bubbly. If you introduce too much air into the eggs by whipping them, you'll end up with something closer to an omelet mousseline (see the recipe below) rather than the classic dish.• For fluffier eggs, add up to a tablespoon of diced cold butter into the beaten eggs before cooking.• Use an absolutely clean frying pan. Don't cook the eggs in bacon fat or any singed leftovers that will alter the look and taste of your omelet.• Be judicious with the butter in the pan. You just need enough to coat the pan lightly but thoroughly - about 1 tablespoon. Do not use too much, or the eggs will be heavy and greasy rather than light.• For extra flavor, brown the butter in the pan before adding the eggs.• For richer eggs, after folding the omelet, smear the top with softened butter or crème fraîche before serving. This is also a good way to get garnishes to stick to the top, caviar and herbs in particular.You've got three main technique options for cooking an omelet. While all will get you to the same end result of ethereal scrambled eggs encased in a gossamer shell, cooks generally prefer one method over the others. Try them, and see which one works best for you. Note that all are doing the same thing: introducing air into the eggs by beating them until they are fluffy, then letting the bottom set so it holds all those light, eggy curds.As with any new technique, practice makes all the difference here. So after choosing the method you like best, practice it until you get it just right for your taste. You can fold your omelet either in half or thirds as desired. Both are traditional.1. The Fork Method Pour the eggs into the hot pan, and immediately start beating them with a fork until fluffy. Once curds begin to form, stop beating and let the bottom of the eggs set for a few seconds before tossing the pan or using a fork to fold the eggs over themselves, either in half or thirds.2. The Swirl Method Pour the eggs into the hot pan, then vigorously swirl the pan, shaking it back and forth to agitate the eggs until the center is fluffy and filled with large curds of eggs, and the bottom sets. Shake some more until the eggs start to flip over themselves, then slide the omelet onto a plate, either in half, or use a fork or spatula to fold into thirds.3. The Lift Method Pour the eggs into the hot pan and let them set for a few seconds. Lift the set edges with a spatula or fork to let uncooked egg run underneath, pushing the cooked part of the eggs into the center of the pan to form large, fluffy curds. Repeat this until the eggs are set on the bottom and just cooked in the center. Then use the spatula or fork to fold the eggs, either in half or thirds.
• This omelet is fluffier and lighter than the classic version above. It uses Auguste Escoffier's technique: whipping the egg whites and then folding in the yolks. A small amount of heavy cream enriches the omelet, making it a good candidate for a jam filling or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
• In France, omelets are often served plain, or with a sprinkle of minced herbs. When they are filled, it is with discretion, just enough to complement the flavor of the eggs without overwhelming them. Use 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup filling for a three-egg omelet, or less with highly flavorful ingredients like herbs and strong cheeses. According to the French chef Jacques Pépin, the classic herbs for omelets are chives, chervil, tarragon and parsley - soft herbs that you can mince. Add the herbs to the bowl along with the eggs and beat everything together.Vegetables of all kinds make great additions to omelets. They all need to be cooked first, in any way you like. Feel free to use leftovers if you have sautéed or roasted vegetables from last night's dinner. Try spinach, kale, mushrooms, onion, shredded zucchini, shredded turnip, broccoli, corn, eggplant, diced cooked potatoes or roasted peppers. Cubed ripe tomato can be added raw, though it is a good idea to seed it first.Meat can give an omelet savory heft. Use diced ham or salami; cooked, crumbled sausages; cooked chicken or turkey; browned pancetta or bacon; or diced leftover roasted meats (roast beef or pork or lamb) and leftover stew meats. Even that little bit of leftover beef Bourguignon can find new purpose in life folded into an omelet.Cooked flaked fish, either left over or freshly prepared, works beautifully in an omelet. Any kind of fish will work, from the lightest, flakiest sole to more robust salmon or sardines. Chopped cooked shrimp and scallops are lovely. You could also use canned fish such as tuna or salmon; flake the fish first and blot away any excess oil with paper towels.Diced smoked salmon is a more deluxe omelet filling, as is caviar - either pricey sturgeon roe, or more affordable salmon or trout roe. Add caviar to the omelet after cooking, when it is already on the plate, and do so just before serving. It is more of a garnish than a filling. A dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream works particularly well alongside.You can add any kind of cheese to an omelet, both shredded or grated cheeses such as Cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan or mozzarella, and diced soft cheese, including soft goat cheese, cream cheese, or ripe Brie or Camembert (remove the rind or not, to taste). Crumbled blue cheese and feta also work well. Jam is nice with either a regular omelet or a mousseline omelet, but skip the black pepper. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of any flavor jam or fruit compote, then sift powdered sugar over the top of the omelet when done.
• Photography Food styling: Alison Attenborough. Prop styling: Beverley Hyde. Additional photography: Karsten Moran for The New York Times. Additional styling: Jade Zimmerman. Video Food styling: Chris Barsch and Jade Zimmerman. Art direction: Alex Brannian. Prop styling: Catherine Pearson. Director of photography: James Herron. Camera operators: Tim Wu and Zack Sainz. Editing: Will Lloyd and Adam Saewitz. Additional editing: Meg Felling.
• All Chapters
• Quiche

SAVORY FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• In a large skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Crumble cooked bacon;.
• set aside. Add 1 tablespoon oil to bacon drippings.
• Add potatoes.
• and leek; saute until tender. Stir in crumbled bacon; set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat together eggs, salt and white pepper. Stir in sauteed-potato mixture and cheese.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in skillet. Pour in egg mixture. Cook over low heat until underside is browned and top is soft and moist. Sprinkle chopped parsley over top.
• Fold cooked omelet in half. Use a broad spatula to place omelet on a platter.
• Garnish with parsley sprig.
• If desired, cook 4 small omelets instead of 1 large omelet.

FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• Combine the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix very well with a fork or a whisk.
• Set a plate by the stove. Heat a small (about 6 inches) seasoned omelet pan or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is warm, add the butter (it should sizzle gently). Swirl the pan to distribute the butter as it melts. When the butter stops sizzling and the foam subsides add the eggs. Pause to let the eggs heat slightly and then stir vigorously, with a heatproof spatula, making sure you include the sides of the egg mixture occasionally so the omelet cooks evenly. Once the eggs are just set, bang the pan gently on the burner to release the omelet from the pan. Check to see that it is not sticking to the sides or bottom of the pan, if so release the omelet with a heat proof spatula. Hold the pan at a 45-degree angle to the stove and carefully fold the omelet like a business letter. Cook just until the desired degree of doneness lifting the pan or reducing the heat to prevent browning. (A classic omelet doesn't have any browning on it.) Transfer to a warm plate and serve.
• Omelet Filling Suggestions: There are many omelet fillings, both raw and cooked, sweet and savory. Here is a starting point, but feel free to improvise. Once the eggs are set add any of these ingredients before folding. An alternative method, to use with delicate fillings, like creme fraiche and herbs, fresh fruits or caviar; is it to roll the omelet and then slice the top open, as you would a baked potato, and then fill it.
• - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs, like Italian parsley, basil, dill, tarragon, chives, thyme, and chervil. Use the herbs alone or in combination, like the classic combination fine herbs (equal parts parsley, chervil, chives and tarragon.) Brush the finished omelet with butter and sprinkle with additional herbs. Herbs can also be added to the omelet mixture to flavor the eggs more fully.
• - 2 to 3 tablespoons cooked vegetables like, chopped asparagus, spinach or other greens, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant or peppers
• - 2 tablespoons diced fresh tomato or avocado
• - 2 tablespoons grated cheese, like Gruyere, Goat cheese, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gouda, Feta
• - 1 tablespoon currant jelly, then dust omelet with confectioner's sugar
• - 2 tablespoons chopped proscuitto or other ham, crumbled cooked bacon or other cured meat
• - 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped smoked salmon or trout, with a tablespoon sour cream, cream cheese or creme fraiche
• - 1 tablespoon honey with 1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
• - 2 to 3 tablespoons sliced apples, pears or strawberries, alone or with a complimentary cheese

MUSHROOM OMELET WITH CHIVES

Steps:

• Trim off the ends of the mushrooms, and cut into thick slices. Heat a large, heavy frying pan over medium-high heat, and add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the shallot, and cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, two or three minutes. Add the mushrooms, and cook, stirring or tossing in the pan, for a few minutes, until they begin to soften and sweat. Add salt to taste and the garlic, and cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms are tender, about five minutes. Stir in the parsley, season to taste with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat.
• If making individual omelets: Heat an 8-inch nonstick omelet pan over medium-high heat. Break 2 eggs into a bowl, and beat with a fork or a whisk until frothy. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, and 2 teaspoons milk. Whisk in half the chives. Add 2 teaspoons of the olive oil to the pan. When the pan feels hot as you hold your hand above it, pour in the eggs, scraping every last bit into the pan. Tilt the pan to distribute the eggs evenly over the surface. Tilt it slightly again, and gently shake with one hand while lifting up the edges of the omelet with the spatula in your other hand so as to let the eggs run underneath during the first few minutes of cooking. Spread half the mushrooms down the middle of the eggs. Top with half the cheese. As soon as the eggs are set on the bottom (the top will still be runny), jerk the pan quickly away from you then back towards you so that the omelet folds over on itself. Shake in the pan for another minute if you don't like the omelet soft on the inside; for a moist omelet, tilt the pan at once and roll out onto a plate. Keep warm in a low oven while you repeat with the remaining eggs and herbs, and serve.
• If making 1 large omelet, heat a 10-inch nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Beat all 4 eggs in a bowl with the milk, salt and pepper, and the chives. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in the pan, and follow the instructions for the 2-egg omelet, pouring all of the eggs into the pan. The eggs will take longer to set, and you may want to flip the omelet in the pan again after it's rolled, if the middle seems too runny. Roll the finished omelet onto a platter, or cut in half in the pan, and serve.
• Add 2 teaspoons of the olive oil to the pan. When the pan feels hot as you hold your hand above it, pour in the eggs, scraping every last bit into the pan. Tilt the pan to distribute the eggs evenly over the surface. Tilt it slightly again, and gently shake with one hand while lifting up the edges of the omelet with the spatula in your other hand so as to let the eggs run underneath during the first few minutes of cooking.
• Spread half the mushrooms down the middle of the eggs. Top with half the cheese. As soon as the eggs are set on the bottom (the top will still be runny), jerk the pan quickly away from you then back towards you so that the omelet folds over on itself. Shake in the pan for another minute if you don't like the omelet soft on the inside; for a moist omelet, tilt the pan at once and roll out onto a plate. Keep warm in a low oven while you repeat with the remaining eggs and herbs, and serve.

THE FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• The most practical tool for making an omelet is a table fork. Combine eggs, water, and salt in a bowl and briskly whisk with fork just until yolks and whites are thoroughly blended.
• One secret to a light, fluffy omelet is not overmixing. Stop whisking when eggs drip smoothly and cohesively from fork tines. If eggs are room temperature, yolks and whites will combine more readily.
• Whisk in cubed butter and herbs. The combination complements the flavor of the eggs instead of overpowering it: Unsalted butter adds a creamy richness, while tender herbs add freshness.
• Place a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 30 seconds. Add remaining butter and melt, swirling to coat pan. Add egg mixture and cook, undisturbed, until edges begin to set, about 10 seconds.
• Holding fork flat, stir eggs thoroughly in a figure-eight pattern with one hand while shaking skillet back and forth with the other. Keep incorporating set edges into runny center. This takes just 25 to 30 seconds.
• Turn off heat while eggs still look slightly wet. Tilt skillet away from you until omelet slides up far edge. Loosen side of omelet nearest you and roll with fork 2 or 3 times toward center.
• After folding far edge of omelet into center as well, press down gently to seal with fork. Invert, seam side down, onto a warm plate. The residual heat in the omelet will cook it a bit more.
• The added value of a warm plate: If you want to serve two, your first effort will keep nicely while you make another. Then season with pepper, sprinkle with remaining herbs, and serve immediately.

FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• Whisk the eggs with the water and salt and pepper. Water helps bond the egg, so the omelet will fold more easily.
• Put 3/4 (15g) of the butter and 1/2 (ie. a dash) of the olive oil in a good non-stick 20cm to 30cm frying pan. Heat till the butter bubbles. Mixing the oil with butter makes the mixture spread out, and mushrooms taste better cooked in butter.
• Put the mushroom, onion and bacon (and potato, if using) in the frying pan. Cook until the onion starts to brown (and stir to ensure the mushroom soaks & bacon cooks). Remove from the pan.
• Put 1/4 (5g) of the butter and another dash of the olive oil in the pan. Again heat until it bubbles. Make sure it covers the base of the frying pan (by tipping & tilting the frying pan). Put the whisked egg in the frying pan, and make sure that it covers the base of the frying pan (by tipping & tilting again).
• Immediately put the cooked bacon, mushrooms & onions on one half of the omelet - whichever half looks like it might cook the slowest. Lay the cheese on top of the bacon, mushrooms & onions.
• Test lifting the other side of the omelet. When it is cooked enough to be solid enough to lift, lift it with one or two spatulas to cover the other half of the omelet. You can lift with one spatula and jerk the frying pan, but it might be easier to use two spatulas.
• Leave the omelet to cook on a lowish heat for another minute - so the cheese will completely melt through. Then serve.