Eggs Benedict
Most of the time when we eat out at a restaurant my husband could never guess what I’ll order because I mix it up so often. The exception is when we go somewhere for breakfast or brunch, I always order Eggs Benedict. There’s never something on the menu that could tempt me more! Traditional Eggs Benedict is obviously a classic, but I love different variations of it too, like Eggs Benedict with asparagus.
How to make Eggs Benedict:
Start by making this simple recipe for hollandaise sauce (see the step-by-step photos, below). Next, poach the eggs, warm the Canadian bacon, and toast the english muffin. Finally, assemble your Eggs Benedict by placing the Canadian bacon on top of half of an english muffin. Place a poached egg on top of the Canadian bacon, and smother the egg in hollandaise sauce.
For a healthier Eggs Benedict, consider trying eggs florentine!
How to poach an egg:
To poach an egg, first fill the pot with about 3 inches of water. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce heat until it reaches a simmer. You should see small bubbles coming to the surface but not rolling. Add a little splash of vinegar to the water (this is optional, but it helps the egg white to stay together once it is in the water).
Crack one egg into a small cup (I use a measuring cup). Lower the egg into the simmer water, gently easing it out of the cup.
How long should you cook your poached egg? Cook the egg in simmering water for 3-5 minutes, depending on how soft you want your egg yolk. Remove the poached egg with a slotted spoon.
How to make Hollandaise sauce:
This traditional Eggs Benedict sauce is called hollandaise sauce.  Many people buy hollandaise sauce in a packet that just has you add water….I’ll never understand WHY?! It’s SO easy to make homemade hollandaise sauce and it definitely tastes better from scratch!
The ingredients for Hollandaise sauce are butter, egg yolks, lime juice, heavy cream, and salt and pepper. The method I’m sharing is a more traditional method for making hollandaise sauce. Some people prefer to make hollandaise sauce in the blender, which would work well for this recipe.
To make hollandaise sauce, start by melting butter in a saucepan. Meanwhile, beat egg yolks in separate bowl and add lime juice, heavy cream, and salt and pepper.
Once the butter has melted, you’re ready to temper the eggs by adding a small amount of the hot butter to the egg mixture. Stir it well and repeat this process, slowly adding one spoonful of hot butter to the egg mixture. We do this to avoid curdling the eggs.
Finally, add the mixture back to the saucepan and cook it for a few more seconds.
Some people worry about raw eggs in their hollandaise sauce. In this sauce, the eggs are cooked, they are just cooked very slowly to avoid curdling! Cooking the hollandaise allows for a thicker, yummy sauce for your Eggs Benedict.
How to make Hollandaise sauce in advance:
For very best results, Hollandaise sauce is best served fresh, right when you’re ready to eat Eggs Benedict. However, you can make Hollandaise sauce a day ahead of time. Refrigerate is until ready to eat, and then reheat it for about 10-20 seconds in the microwave.
CONSIDER TRYING THESE CLASSIC BREAKFAST RECIPES:
- Breakfast Quesadillas
- Classic French Toast
- Broccoli Cheese Quiche
- Homemade Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
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Recipe
Eggs Benedict with homemade Hollandaise Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 English muffins
- 4 large eggs
- 4 slices Canadian bacon
- Vinegar , just a splash
For the Hollandaise sauce:
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice , or lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
For the Hollandaise sauce:
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan. In a separate small bowl, beat the egg yolks. Mix in lemon juice, whipping cream, and salt and pepper.
- Add a small spoonful of the hot melted butter to the egg mixture and stir well. Repeat this process adding a spoonful at a time of hot butter to the egg mixture.( Adding the butter slowly, a spoonful at a time, will temper the eggs and ensure they don't curdle).
- Once the butter has been incorporated, pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, for just 20-30 seconds. Remove from heat and set aside. It will thicken as it cools. Stir well and add another splash of cream, if needed, to thin.
To poach the eggs:
- Fill a medium size pot with about 3 inches of water. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce heat until it reaches a simmer. You should see small bubbles coming to the surface but not rolling.
- Add a little splash of vinegar to the water (this is optional, but it helps the egg white to stay together once it is in the water).
- Crack one egg into a small cup (I use a measuring cup). Lower the egg into the simmer water, gently easing it out of the cup.
- Cook the egg in simmering water for 3-5 minutes, depending on how soft you want your egg yolk. Remove the poached egg with a slotted spoon.
- **It is not abnormal for a white foam to form on top of the water when poaching an egg. You can simple skim the foam off of the water with a spoon.
- While the egg is cooking, place the slices of Canadian bacon in a large pan and cook on medium-high heat for about 1 minute on each side.
To Assemble:
- Toast the English muffin. Top each toasted side with a slice or two of Canadian bacon, and then a poached egg. Top with hollandaise sauce.
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe in August 2013. Updated August 2018.
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I substituted crab cakes from scratch instead of pork and steamed some asparagus. Absolutely delicious when served on a plain English muffin that I lightly fried in rendered bacon fat.
This was the first time every single one of my eggs came out perfectly!! Your instructions are clear and guiding- Great recipe. My family and I thank you 🙂
I make Eggs Benedict fairly often for my family. I have an old text book by Betty Crocker from high school. They have you use a whole stick of butter, 2 egg yolks, 2 tablespoons of Lemon Juice. Going to try the heavy cream, lime juice version.
I made this just now, I live eggs Benedict and was super happy! I had to improvise a little but with the proper ingredients I’m sure I’ll be spot on next time
My question, how long will the hollandaise sauce be good in the fridge?
My husband said it was delicious, he’s an Eggs benedict fan. However, the Hollandaise sauce was thin and did not thicken. I followed the directions. I think it sat for 20 minutes off the heat. I would like to make this again. Any suggestions?
Cook the hollandaise a little longer next time and it will thicken!
This is the second time we’ve used the recipe. I had to scour the internet to find it again because I forgot to save it after the first time we made them. This is a very easy to follow recipe and each time the results have been great! I had never eaten eggs Benedict before this. It’s a new family favorite for special occasions!
Wish I could post with photo because it’s absolutely delicious and restaurant quality. 💕
Excellent recipe and worthy to serve to the best liked guests… a sure winner!
Thank you!
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