Fries, bell peppers, onions, cheese fried eggs and sausage – what could be better than a simple protein-rich breakfast for campers?
Called “Mountain Man Breakfast,” this classic dish is easy to make, incredibly delicious, and a breeze to clean up.
For this dish, I wanted to stick to the traditional recipe with yellow potatoes, crispy green bell peppers, sweet yellow onions, garlic, maple sausage, and creamy cheddar eggs. All you need next is a single pan.
If you’re looking for easy camping meals for a protein-rich breakfast to fuel you all day, Mountain Breakfast Skillet is a must-try.
Contents
Ingredients
Potatoes: It’s better if you use waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold, Red, New or fingerling, as they keep their shape when pan-fried.
Bell Peppers & Onions: Use any type of bell pepper if you want a mild flavor. If you want something spicier, you can try Anaheim or Poblano peppers. For onions, I usually use classic yellow, but red or white peppers will work too.
Cheese + Eggs: Fried eggs with cheese make the dish more greasy and attractive.
Breakfast Sausage: You can choose any type of sausage, be it link or crumble, mild or spicy, traditional or vegan.
Spices: Salt, pepper and garlic powder are enough.
Toppings: You can add sliced green onions, jalapeños, cilantro, hot sauce or even more cheese. Be creative according to your preferences!
Equipment
You just need to bring a cast iron skillet. I used a 12-inch Lodge pan but a 10-inch pan would also work. Whether you cook on a camp stove or a campfire, cast iron radiates heat evenly, helping the potatoes cook faster and get perfectly crispy.
Tip: Don’t forget to add a little oil first – this helps keep the eggs from sticking and is easier to clean. 🍳🔥
How to Cook Mountain Breakfast Skillet
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes |
The specific ingredients I use for 4 servings :
- 2 tablespoons of oil, divided
- ½ pound Yukon gold potatoes, cut into ¼”-½” cubes
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ pound sausage (about 6 links or crumbles)
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: Chopped green onions, ground black pepper, hot sauce
How to cook:
- First, you need to heat a large pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the diced potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes begin to brown, about 10–15 minutes.
- Add a tablespoon of cooking oil along with diced green bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes until the potatoes begin to soften. Then add onion and salt. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until the onions are soft and starting to brown.
- Add the sausages to the pan and cook until brown, breaking them up if necessary.
- Beat eggs well. When the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked, lower the heat and push everything to the sides of the pan. Drizzle a little cooking oil in the middle of the pan, then pour in the eggs and sprinkle with grated cheese. Use a flat spoon to gently beat the eggs until the eggs are just cooked.
- Add the cooked vegetables and sausage back into the eggs. Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle with chopped green onions, ground pepper and hot sauce if you like spicy food.
Notes and Instructions
Below are some detailed notes you should read to prepare properly for Mountain Breakfast Skillet.
Cut Potatoes, Peppers, and Onion
If you cut the vegetables small, the cooking process will be quick. But if cut too small, it will be difficult to pick up with a fork. I recommend cutting into about ½ inch cubes—just the right size for quick cooking and easy eating.
Start with the potatoes in a little oil, so they cook first. After about 5 minutes, add the bell peppers and onions so everything softens and browns together.
Tip: Sometimes, I use frozen hash browns instead of fresh potatoes. They cook faster and are just as delicious and you’ll save time cutting them.🍳🌟
Add the Sausage
If you use uncooked sausages, stir-fry them with the onions to ensure they cook evenly. For cooked or vegetarian sausages, wait until the vegetables are almost cooked, then add them in to warm them up.
Scramble the Eggs
For perfect fried eggs, make sure to beat the eggs thoroughly. This ensures the whites and yolks are mixed evenly. Don’t forget to mix in some grated cheese for extra creaminess and save some to sprinkle on top later!
Before pouring in the egg mixture, reduce the heat, push the vegetables to one side of the pan, and drizzle in a little oil. Gently stir the eggs while cooking, keeping them moving until they set and finally mix with the remaining vegetables.
Add Toppings
I usually use sliced green onions and add cheese, but you can easily customize to your preference. Try adding fresh cilantro, spicy jalapeños, some hot sauce or even crispy bacon bits.
Pick up your pan and start cooking! Don’t forget to share your results and experiences with greententlife.com! 🌄🍳
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