Farmer’s Breakfast

This farmer’s breakfast is cooked in a single skillet and layers hearty breakfast ingredients like bacon, potatoes, eggs and cheese. First, bacon is cooked until crispy, then onions and potatoes are sauteed directly in the drippings. Once soft, aromatic and golden brown, the vegetables are moved to the side so the eggs can be scrambled right in the center. The skillet is finished with gooey melted cheese to create a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast that’s so hearty you’ll be full for hours.

Ingredients for Farmer’s Breakfast

• Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy, but don’t drain those drippings. You’ll use the leftover bacon grease instead of oil to cook the eggs and vegetables.
• Onions and potatoes: Saute the diced onions and potatoes in bacon grease until soft. You can use store-bought precooked potatoes or boil fresh potatoes to precook them (similar to how we handle the potatoes in this spicy roasted potatoes recipe).
• Eggs: You can use any eggs, including cage-free or free-range eggs.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: Top this farmer’s breakfast skillet with melty cheddar cheese, or swap in another flavorful cheese like Gruyere or comté cheese.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the bacon

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In a cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Set it aside on paper towels to drain.

Step 2: Saute the vegetables

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Saute the onion and potatoes over medium heat in the bacon drippings until the potatoes are browned, about five minutes.

Step 3: Scramble the eggs

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Push the potato mixture to the side of the pan, and pour the eggs into the center of the pan. Cook and stir gently until the eggs are set and cooked to the desired doneness. Stir to combine eggs and potato mixture.

Editor’s Tip: Use the tips from our best scrambled eggs recipe to make perfectly fluffy eggs.

Step 4: Finish with cheese and bacon

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Season the egg mixture with salt and pepper. Sprinkle it with cheese and bacon, and let stand until the cheese melts.

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Farmer’s Breakfast Variations

• Swap in sausage: Follow the recipe instructions, but use bulk sausage instead of bacon.
• Go vegetarian: Skip the bacon to turn this into a hearty vegetarian skillet recipe. Use butter or oil to saute the onions and mushrooms, and consider adding other vegetables like mushrooms. Try seasoning the veggies with a little paprika to mimic the bacon’s smoky flavor.
• Add veggies: Bulk up on veggies by adding them alongside the onions and potatoes. Try chopped bell peppers, zucchini or mushrooms. You can also stir in spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Change the potatoes: Instead of cubed potatoes, try using dehydrated or frozen hash brown potatoes. You could also swap in cubed sweet potato for a beta-carotene boost and a sweeter flavor profile.
• Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne while cooking the onions or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the eggs. You can also stir in sliced jalapeno peppers.

How to Store Farmer’s Breakfast

Leftover farmer’s breakfast should be stored in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days.

How do you reheat farmer’s breakfast?

Reheat farmer’s breakfast in the microwave or warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat.

Farmer’s Breakfast Tips

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Can you make this farmer’s breakfast skillet with a different style of eggs?

If you prefer fried eggs or sunny-side up eggs, try cooking the eggs in the oven like this brunch hash and egg bake. Make sure to cook the potato mixture in an oven-proof skillet (including the handle). Make six small circles in the mixture and carefully crack an egg into each space, leaving the yolks intact. Slide the skillet into a 375ºF oven and bake until the egg whites are set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 12 to 15 minutes.

What is the fastest way to cook cubed potatoes?

The fastest way to cook cubed potatoes is in the microwave. Add the cubed potatoes to a shallow microwave-safe dish and cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally. The potatoes should be soft when pierced with a fork.

How can you use leftover bacon drippings?

This farmer’s skillet recipe incorporates bacon drippings, but many recipes don’t take advantage of the drippings. Don’t throw this flavorful fat away! Save bacon grease to make a hot bacon dressing for spinach salads. You can also incorporate it into your favorite cornbread recipes or swirl it into chicken ramen for an extra punch of umami.