The Denver omelet is a classic American breakfast dish that combines the savory flavors of ham, bell pepper, onion, and cheddar cheese. It's a hearty and satisfying meal that's perfect for starting your day off right. This recipe is simple to make and can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences.
If you don't usually keep diced ham or green bell pepper in your kitchen, you might need to pick these up at the supermarket. Look for pre-diced ham in the deli section or buy a small ham steak to dice yourself. Fresh green bell peppers can be found in the produce section. Make sure to also grab some shredded cheddar cheese if you don't have any on hand.

Ingredients For Denver Omelet Recipe
Eggs: The base of the omelet, providing protein and structure.
Diced ham: Adds a savory, meaty flavor to the omelet.
Diced green bell pepper: Provides a fresh, slightly sweet crunch.
Diced onion: Adds a sharp, aromatic flavor.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into the omelet, adding a rich, creamy texture.
Butter: Used to cook the vegetables and prevent the eggs from sticking.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Pepper: Adds a bit of spice and depth to the flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When making a Denver omelet, ensure that the vegetables are diced uniformly. This helps them cook evenly and enhances the texture of the omelet. Additionally, when you pour the eggs into the skillet, give the pan a gentle swirl to distribute the ingredients evenly. This ensures that every bite is packed with flavor.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
eggs - Substitute with egg whites: For a lower cholesterol option, use egg whites instead of whole eggs.
eggs - Substitute with tofu: Crumbled tofu can be used for a vegan alternative.
diced ham - Substitute with diced turkey: Turkey is a leaner meat and can be used for a lower fat option.
diced ham - Substitute with diced mushrooms: For a vegetarian option, mushrooms provide a similar texture.
diced green bell pepper - Substitute with diced red bell pepper: Red bell peppers are sweeter and provide a different flavor profile.
diced green bell pepper - Substitute with diced zucchini: Zucchini offers a different texture and is a good low-carb alternative.
diced onion - Substitute with diced shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can be used for a subtler taste.
diced onion - Substitute with green onions: Green onions provide a fresher, lighter flavor.
shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with shredded mozzarella: Mozzarella is milder and melts well, offering a different taste.
shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: For a vegan option, nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil is a healthier fat and can be used for cooking the omelet.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a different flavor and is a good dairy-free alternative.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a different umami flavor while providing the saltiness.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat for those who like a spicier omelet.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the omelet to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the omelet soggy.
- Wrap the Denver omelet tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge.
- Place the wrapped omelet in an airtight container. This adds an extra layer of protection and keeps it from getting squished.
- Store the omelet in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, consume it within this time frame to enjoy its optimal taste and texture.
- To freeze, place the wrapped omelet in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label it with the date to keep track of its freshness.
- Freeze the omelet for up to 2 months. While it can be stored longer, the quality may start to decline after this period.
- When ready to eat, thaw the omelet in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain its texture and flavor.
- Reheat the omelet in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. If using a microwave, cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out.
- Add a sprinkle of fresh cheddar cheese or a dash of salt and pepper before serving to enhance the flavors.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Microwave Method:
- Place the leftover Denver omelet on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway to ensure it heats evenly.
- Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the omelet on an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Remove the foil for the last few minutes to let the top crisp up slightly.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over low to medium heat.
- Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
- Place the Denver omelet in the skillet and cover with a lid.
- Heat for about 5 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even heating.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the omelet on a piece of aluminum foil or a toaster oven tray.
- Heat for 10-12 minutes or until warmed through.
- For a crispy edge, remove the foil for the last few minutes of heating.
Best Tools for Making This Omelet
Mixing bowl: Use this to beat the eggs with salt and pepper.
Skillet: This is where you'll cook the omelet and sauté the ham, bell pepper, and onion.
Spatula: Essential for folding the omelet in half and ensuring it doesn't stick to the skillet.
Whisk: Helps in beating the eggs to a uniform consistency.
Measuring cup: Use this to measure out the diced ham, bell pepper, onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Knife: Necessary for dicing the ham, bell pepper, and onion.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for dicing the ingredients.
Cheese grater: If you're shredding the cheddar cheese yourself, this tool will be needed.
Stove: The heat source for cooking the omelet in the skillet.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-chop ingredients: Dice the ham, bell pepper, and onion in advance and store them in the fridge.
Use pre-shredded cheese: Save time by using pre-shredded cheddar cheese instead of shredding it yourself.
Cook in batches: If making multiple omelets, cook the ham, bell pepper, and onion together in a larger batch and divide them as needed.
Non-stick skillet: Use a non-stick skillet to reduce the need for extra butter and make cleanup easier.
Microwave option: For a quicker option, microwave the diced vegetables for a couple of minutes before adding them to the eggs.

Denver Omelet Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- ¼ cup diced ham
- ¼ cup diced green bell pepper
- ¼ cup diced onion
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- 2. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- 3. Add the diced ham, bell pepper, and onion. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4. Pour the beaten eggs into the skillet. Let it cook undisturbed for a minute.
- 5. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the eggs. Fold the omelet in half and cook until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
- 6. Serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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