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chiles rellenos recipe

Authentic Homemade Chiles Rellenos Recipe

This authentic Mexican recipe features crispy, fluffy egg-battered jalapeños stuffed with melted cheese and served with a savory homemade tomato sauce for the perfect comfort food.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 pickled jalapeño peppers
  • 4 pieces cheese (about ¼ inch wide, ¼ inch thick, 2 inches long) traditional: queso fresco or Monterey Jack
  • 2 large eggs, separated
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small onion, minced (about ¼ cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 can (8 ounce) tomato sauce
  • vegetable oil for frying

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • large, heavy frying pan
  • 2 bowls (for egg separation)
  • whisk or fork (for beating eggs)
  • spatula (for flipping)

Method
 

  1. Prepare the tomato sauce first: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté minced onion, garlic, and oregano for about 5 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Add tomato sauce and 1/8 teaspoon salt, stir, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently while preparing the rest, stirring occasionally.
  2. Prepare the peppers: Cut stem ends off jalapeños, carefully remove seeds (wear gloves), and rinse under cold water. Stuff each pepper with a piece of cheese (¼ inch wide/thick, 2 inches long).
  3. Make the egg coating: Separate eggs, placing whites and yolks in separate bowls. Beat whites until stiff peaks form. To yolks, add 1/8 teaspoon salt, flour, and water; beat until flour is incorporated. Gently fold beaten whites into yolk mixture without deflating.
  4. Fry the rellenos: Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy frying pan over medium-high heat. Create four mounds of egg mixture in the pan. Place a stuffed pepper in each mound and cover with more egg mixture to form nests. Fry for 3-4 minutes until bottoms are light golden brown, then carefully flip to brown the other side. Outside should be golden; inside slightly soft.
  5. Serve immediately topped with warm homemade tomato sauce. Optional garnishes: orange slices, avocado slices, sliced green onions, fresh tomatoes.

Notes

For best results, use a mild white cheese that melts well, like queso fresco or Monterey Jack, and don't skip the homemade tomato sauce for optimal flavor.