10 European Egg Recipes

10 European Egg Recipes

Posted on: January 13th 2022

From the cerulean seas of the Mediterranean to the quaint cafes nestled in the streets of Paris, Europe has some of the most diverse and enriching food in the world. With 44 countries in this continent, each region offers its own cuisine. You may be wondering how we narrowed down our list of European egg recipes, especially when there are so many individual food cultures to consider. Here’s a brief synopsis of what makes European cuisine unique as a whole.

Find Sauder’s Eggs Near You

Characteristics of European Cuisine

European cuisine as we know it doesn’t just include the food you find within the continent’s borders. It also includes the dishes brought over from other countries by immigrants and colonists. Throughout Europe, you’ll find recipes rich in steak, cutlets, sauces, dairy, and red wine. Other foods like potatoes, dumplings, pastas, and salads also play major roles in European cuisine. Even though many countries make up Europe, there are still common goods favored throughout the continent.

Take a trip across your favorite European nations with these irresistible egg-based recipes.

1. French-Style Scrambled Eggs

We begin our European food tour at the heart of luxury cuisine — France! Any food connoisseur knows there is major controversy surrounding the debate of the right way to cook scrambled eggs. Americans tend to use high heat, milk or water, and butter to create fluffy scrambled eggs in just a few minutes. The British alternate their eggs between high heat and no heat, while continuously stirring the egg mixture for a soft and loose scramble.

But the French take an even more leisurely approach, taking up to 40 minutes to create creamy, custard-like eggs that are sweet and rich. This recipe comes from none other than Julia Child, the trailblazer of French-American cuisine. Keep in mind that the consistency for these scrambled eggs may not be what you’re used to. But trust the process and the culinary experts who swear by this method, and you’ll be surprised how much you enjoy the result.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Butter
• Salt
• Pepper

To start cooking your scrambled eggs, coat your skillet with two tablespoons of butter. In a bowl, beat your eggs with milk, salt, and pepper, then pour into the skillet. Place your pan on low heat and stir. This is where your patience will be tested.

This recipe requires you to continuously stir the eggs until they gradually form into one mass of small, soft curds. This can take anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes. When the eggs start to fuse into lumps, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in a second dollop of butter. Spread your scrambled eggs onto a slice of toast and bon appetit!

2. German Senfeier

Any recipe that involves wine is guaranteed to be packed with flavor and complexity, and this dish is no different.

Senfeier, also known as German eggs in mustard sauce, is a classic dish that originated in northern Germany in the 19th century. It is commonly eaten for breakfast, brunch, or supper. However, the most popular time to make this recipe is right after Easter, when plenty of eggs are left over. While this protein-packed dish is already satisfying by itself, it can be paired with boiled or mashed potatoes, hot sauce, or pickles.

Other variations of the recipe include ingredients like cauliflower, fresh chives, and lemon juice. If you really want to turn up the flavor, we suggest adding bacon bits, rice, or broccoli. However you make it, this tasty treat is sure to please your palate and stomach.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Butter
• Milk
• Potatoes
• Onion
• Flour
• Mustard
• Whole grain mustard
• White wine
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Pepper

The first step in recreating this recipe is to boil your eggs for eight to 10 minutes. You want the yolk to be soft-boiled on the inside. While the eggs are cooking, prepare the potatoes by peeling them, and dice the onion. Boil the potatoes in a pot with salt.

When the eggs are done cooking and peeled clean, it’s time to make the mustard sauce. Start by sautéing the cubed onion in butter, then add flour, white wine, and milk accordingly to thicken and flavor the sauce. Finally, you can add the mustard with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. After incorporating the final ingredients, you can add the soft-boiled eggs to the sauce.

All that’s left is to drain and press the potatoes, adding in a splash of milk, some butter, salt, and nutmeg. Add it all together and tuck in!

3. Scottish Eggs

Although no one truly knows how or when they came to be, Scottish eggs have solidified their place in the hearts and stomachs of people in the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Most commonly found at Renaissance Fairs, British restaurants, and supermarkets, Scotch eggs are a savory picnic food. They usually consist of a quail or hen egg wrapped in sausage and covered in a generous layer of breadcrumbs.

While these snacks are tempting hot or cold, they are typically eaten chilled and with a side of fresh salad or pickles. If you find yourself over in our sister country, you’ll find different local variations throughout the United Kingdom. For example, the Manchester version uses a pickled egg and a layer of pork mixed with black pudding. Once you get this basic recipe down, let your culinary creativity shine by adding your own ingredients to the mix!

Ingredients:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Pork sausage
• Dried minced onion
• Flour
• Salt
• One beaten egg
• Panko breadcrumbs

Before you start baking, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sausage, salt, and onion. Separate the meat into four equal parts and shape into patties. Next, cover each hard-boiled egg in a layer of flour, then shape one patty around each egg. To get an even coating of breadcrumbs, dip your meat-covered eggs into a beaten egg, then cover with Panko breadcrumbs.

All you have to do is bake the Scotch eggs in the oven until the sausage is cooked all the way through. When you’re ready to enjoy your Scotch eggs, try dipping them in mustard, mayonnaise, or hot sauce.

4. Spanish-Style Eggs

Spicy chorizo sausage with saucy tomatoes and creamy egg yolk? Sounds like the perfect dish for Saturday brunch. You can find many versions of Spanish-style eggs, better known as huevos a la flamenca. Some variations include more fresh vegetables, like onions, potatoes, peas, avocado, and green beans. You can also make the dish with ham, morcilla sausage, and Manchego cheese. However you slice it, Spanish-style eggs are savory and absolutely delicious.

While this dish may sound like it’s meant for breakfast, it’s usually eaten for lunch or dinner in Spain. With a slice of sourdough or flatbread, you’ll find that every bite is as amazing as the last.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Chorizo sausage
• Olive oil
• Sweet red peppers
• Yellow peppers
• Onion
• Garlic cloves
• Diced tomatoes
• Red wine vinegar
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper

To make Spanish-style eggs, you first need to cook the chorizo sausage, peppers, garlic, and onion in a heated skillet. When the ingredients start breaking down, you can then add the tomatoes, seasonings, and red wine vinegar. After bringing the mixture to a boil, allow the sauce to simmer on low heat until it thickens. Using the back of a spoon, carve out holes for the eggs to cook in. Just crack an egg into each indent and cover to cook.

When the egg whites are cooked, but the yolks are runny, your huevos a la flamenca are finally ready to eat!

5. Eastern European Stuffed Eggs

Deviled eggs are enjoyed all around the world. This seemingly simple dish is a classic, with each food culture offering a different take that highlights the flavors and textures we all know and love. In fact, deviled eggs date as far back as ancient Rome, when they were served with spicy sauces and enjoyed at the beginning of large feasts.

This recipe is a simpler take on the traditional party dish. But you can easily add flavor and texture with diced ham, shredded Gruyere cheese, sour cream, olives, peppers, or caviar. For now, here is how you can experience Eastern Europe’s take right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Onion
• Mayonnaise
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper

Of course, the first step in any deviled egg recipe is to hard boil your eggs. Once this is done, you can move on to mixing the perfect filling. Slice the eggs in half lengthwise and carefully spoon out the yolks so that the whites remain intact. In a bowl, mash the yolk with a fork, mixing in the other ingredients to create the filling.

All you have to do is fill the egg white halves with the yolk mixture, chill, and serve! If you want to turn it up a notch, try sautéing the chopped onion first. It’s an additional step, but you’ll love the extra flavor.

6. Eggs en Cocotte

Oeufs Cocotte is French for “shirred eggs.” True to French cuisine, this recipe takes the simplest ingredients and transforms them into a truly tasty dish that is sure to become one of your favorites. These baked eggs are cracked in a flat-bottom ramekin and cooked in a water bath. The result is a deliciously delicate breakfast of rich yolk and savory toppings. There are many interpretations of this recipe — the simplicity of it allows plenty of room for creativity.

If you have mastered this recipe and want to expand it according to your taste, you can add bacon, ham, cheese, herbs, peppers, and other fresh vegetables. Serve it with a side of toasted sourdough bread, roasted sweet potatoes, or breakfast potatoes, and you have an easy and filling breakfast.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Butter
• Heavy whipping cream
• Salt
• Pepper
• Chives

Start by heating your oven to 350 degrees and positioning the rack into the middle slot. Before adding the ingredients to your ramekins, make sure you butter the inside of the dishes to prevent sticking. Next, fill a baking dish with approximately one inch of water.

Crack an egg into each ramekin, adding heavy whipping cream on top. Put the ramekins in the baking dish and cook in the oven. Bake until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. Season with salt, pepper, and chives and enjoy with a side of toast.

7. Soft-Boiled Eggs

Soft-boiled eggs may seem tricky to make, but this recipe makes them super easy. While you may be used to hard-boiled eggs, there is something undeniably delectable about the soft-boiled kind. The soft white and creamy yolk are the foundation for a great protein-filled breakfast or quick snack to satisfy your cravings. It’s no wonder Europeans enjoy them as a regular part of their diet!

This recipe will show you how to make perfect soft-boiled eggs every time.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Salt
• Pepper

To make soft-boiled eggs, start by putting them in a pot of cold water. The amount of water you add isn’t an exact measurement, but it should cover the eggs by at least an inch so that they’re submerged. Cook your eggs on the stovetop using high heat. When the water builds to a full boil, turn the stove off and leave the eggs to continue cooking for approximately 90 seconds.

After the allotted time, place the eggs in the sink and rinse them with cold water, or soak them in an ice bath. Use a spoon to gently crack and remove the shells. Sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper and enjoy with a slice of toast or fresh tomatoes. It really is that easy.

8. Italian Baked Eggs

Who would have thought that eggs and marinara sauce would make the perfect combination? It’s no secret that tomatoes play a huge role in Italian cuisine, and Italian baked eggs are a prime example of how tomatoes marry supremely well with the rich flavor of sunny-side-up eggs. This dish is the perfect hearty solution for weekend breakfasts with the family or when gathering with friends. And as a bonus, it takes less than 30 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Olive oil
• Low-fat milk
• Marinara sauce
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Shredded Gruyere cheese
• Basil leaves
• Salt
• Pepper

Prepare your oven by heating it to 425 degrees. This recipe is for one person, but you can easily make it in a baking dish for a large party. Use olive oil to grease your ramekins, then divide the marinara sauce into each dish. Next, crack an egg into each dish and top with the cheese, milk, salt, and pepper. Bake your eggs until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. E questo è tutto — that’s all!

Serve with a garnish of basil leaves and a crusty baguette. If you want to include more ingredients for a filling entrée, you can incorporate sausage, onion, mozzarella cheese, capers, or artichokes.

9. Eggs Benedict

You can’t have a list of the best European egg recipes without including eggs Benedict. This warm dish of layered toasted English muffin, Canadian bacon, poached egg, and creamy hollandaise sauce is the highlight of brunches around the world. Although eggs Benedict was first created in the United States, it was invented by European immigrants and has more than a dozen interpretations worldwide.

Some variations of this beloved dish incorporate avocado, crab meat, salmon, spinach, biscuits, salsa, caviar, and artichokes.

Eggs Benedict is a restaurant favorite and not often made at home, simply due to its complexity and time consumption. It’s a far cry from a one-pot breakfast, but when you have ample time and love to make fine cuisine, it is one of the most indulgent meals to eat.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Canadian bacon
• English muffins
• Parsley
• White vinegar
• Butter
• Lemon juice
• Tabasco sauce

The traditional eggs Benedict recipe calls for Canadian bacon, but you can always substitute it for regular bacon, pork roll, steak, or black pudding. Regardless of which meat you choose, the first step in making eggs Benedict is slow-frying the Canadian bacon. Then, it’s time to make your hollandaise sauce.

For a fast approach, use a blender. Add egg yolks, lemon juice, and salt and blend until the eggs become light in color. Pour in melted butter and blend. Keep your fresh-made sauce on a warm stovetop until you’re ready to assemble your ingredients.

Meanwhile, start poaching your eggs. To poach an egg, start by cracking it into a bowl and then pour it into lightly simmering water. As the whites solidify, turn off the heat and cover your pot. Voila — your eggs are ready! All you have to do is stack your layers, pouring the hollandaise on top. We guarantee you’ll love every bite.

10. Frittata al Formaggio

Enjoy a garden of fresh vegetables filled with seasoned meat and cheese in a thick pie of eggs. Frittatas are a scrumptious fan-favorite dish all around the world for their taste and ease. Seriously, this dish is an international classic for a reason.

The best part of making a frittata is that all you truly need are eggs and whatever you have in your refrigerator. You can add whatever vegetables, meat, cheese, seasonings, and herbs you like. Everything automatically tastes amazing when cooked in a cake made of eggs. This Italian-style recipe harnesses the flavors of salami, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Here’s how you make it.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Salami
• Mushrooms
• Cherry tomatoes
• Artichoke hearts
• Milk
• Minced garlic
• Green onions
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Basil

Before you start combining your ingredients, the first thing you have to do is heat your oven to 425 degrees. Then, prepare a large baking dish by coating it with cooking spray. Next, it’s time to cook the salami, mushrooms, tomatoes, and artichokes in a frying pan. As long as your ingredients are diced small, they will cook through in less than five minutes. Pour your mixture into the baking dish and move on to preparing your eggs.

To make your scrambled egg mixture, whisk the eggs and milk together until they are fully broken down. Add in the chopped green onions, minced garlic, basil, salt, pepper, and onion powder, incorporating the ingredients. Pour the eggs over the salami and vegetables. Just sprinkle the cheeses over top and bake in the oven until the eggs have fully set.

These European Egg Recipes Make the Perfect Breakfast

For all your international egg recipes and those local to home, Sauder’s Eggs delivers the highest quality ingredients for your favorite cuisines. Sauder’s Eggs connects you with real farmers who value product excellence, so you can trust the food you cook with. From our humble door-to-door roots to the modern operation you know and love today, we have been bringing only the freshest eggs to homes like yours for over 80 years.

Experience the quality for yourself by finding Sauder’s Eggs at a store near you using our store locator. Or, you can shop for our products online by browsing through our catalog of white and brown eggs. Whether you’re cooking an Italian-inspired breakfast or making Scottish eggs for a snack, we have everything from traditional cage-free eggs to free-range options for all your culinary needs. Nothing beats Sauder’s Eggs when it comes to taste and quality.