Denver Omelet Recipe

By
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/4/23
Denver omelet filled with diced ham and green bell pepper on a plate

​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Yield: 1 omelet

The Denver omelet is a classic diner order, especially with a side of hash browns or toast. Piled high with ham, onion, bell pepper, and cheese, it's a meal in and of itself. And while there is nothing wrong with diner food, it's also an easy breakfast dish to make at home and customize according to your own taste.

Like your breakfasts spicy? Add some diced jalapeño. Only have bacon, or dare I say it, Spam on hand? Dice it up and swap it out for the ham. And while cheddar is the traditional choice, any melty cheese will do.

This recipe makes one big omelet that will easily feed two people. But feel free to double it and make two big omelets for a crowd of four to six. Likewise, feel free to halve it for a party of one—just use a smaller pan. Serve with a salad and bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon canola or grapeseed oil

  • 1/4 cup diced white onion

  • 1/3 cup diced green bell pepper

  • 1/3 cup diced Canadian bacon or thick-cut ham

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 4 large eggs, well beaten

  • 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

  • Salsa or hot sauce, optional, for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Denver omelet recipe gathered

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet (around 12 inches) over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and ham. Sauté for about 2 minutes, or until lightly browned and the veggies are tender, but still a little crisp. Season with salt and pepper.

    Ham and bell pepper being stirred in with a wooden spoon in a frying pan

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Remove the veggies and ham to a plate. Carefully wipe out the skillet with a dry paper towel.

    Cooked ham and bell pepper on a plate, frying pan being wiped with a paper towel

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Turn down the heat to medium-low and add the butter. Once melted, tilt the pan to coat with the butter. Add the eggs.

    Beaten eggs covering the bottom of the frying pan

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. As the eggs begin to set up around the edge, carefully use a spatula to lift the edges a bit and tilt the pan slightly to let the liquid egg in the center run under the edge. Repeat around the omelet until it has set up just enough not to run to the edge when you tilt the pan. Don't let the omelet get too thin in the middle, and turn down the heat if it is cooking too fast.

    Edge of omelet in the frying pan being lifted with a spatula

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  6. Season with salt and pepper and top all over with cheese. Place a lid or pan over the skillet for 1 minute or just until the cheese is melted. Turn off the heat.

    Lightly browned set eggs in the frying pan

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  7. Add the cooked veggies and ham in a line in the center of the omelet. Use a spatula and carefully run it under the edge of the omelet to loosen it without tearing.

    Ham and bell pepper filling spread in the center of the omelet

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  8. Fold one side of the omelet over the filling, then overlap with the opposite side, making a parcel. Carefully slide the omelet onto a plate.

    Sides of the omelet folded over the filling to the center

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  9. Serve immediately with hot sauce or homemade salsa and enjoy.

    Denver omelet fillet with diced ham and green bell pepper on a plate

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Helpful Links

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
402 Calories
28g Fat
7g Carbs
30g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 402
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 13g 63%
Cholesterol 440mg 147%
Sodium 857mg 37%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 30g
Vitamin C 18mg 90%
Calcium 271mg 21%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 623mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)