Do you love hollandaise sauce but are scared of making it?
This version can be made by the traditional method, with easy step by step instructions. However, it can also be whipped up in a few minutes in the blender, for stress free preparation.
Either way, this sauce is so delicious as it is, or used as a base for another sauce.
It's absolutely perfect drizzled over fresh asparagus for a simple dish!
Read on for plenty of serving ideas, variation, hints and tips.
Bon appétit!
You have probably come across hollandaise sauce deliciously dolloped over poached eggs, ham and muffins in the form of Eggs Benedict. This sauce has always had a reputation as being a tricky sauce to master, but there is really nothing complicated about it. And, once you have mastered the technique, there are endless variations and plenty of hollandaise sauce uses.
According to the Michelin Guide Antonin Careme described the four French mother sauces, or sauce basis. The sauces are Béchamel, Velouté, Allemande and Espagnole.
By the 20th Century, Chef Escoffier had demoted Allemande as a daughter sauce of Velouté and instead added in Hollandaise and Sauce Tomat. All of these mother sauces are thickened with a roux, a mixture of flour and fat (usually butter), except for Hollandaise. It is actually the quickest sauce to make, and is an emulsion using the simplest of ingredients that you will likely always have available at home.
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🥘 Ingredients
- Butter - salted or unsalted butter.
- Eggs - large egg yolks
- Vinegar - white wine vinegar
- Lemon juice - fresh lemon juice to taste
- Seasoning - flaked sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
See recipe card for quantities.
🍽 Equipment
- Blender
- Saucepan with a heat proof bowl.
- Whisk
- Small saucepan
🔪 Instructions
There are two ways to make Hollandaise sauce according to your preference.
However, I actually prefer the traditional method as there is less clearing up and I think that is a big factor when you are making something at home!
Method 1 - Traditional
For the traditional method you will need to set up a bain marie, also known as a double boiler.
Fill a medium saucepan with an inch or 2 centimeters of water.
You will need a heatproof bowl that can sit snugly in the saucepan so that it doesn't actually touch the water.
In this way the contents of the bowl are warmed but don't get a direct heat. This will help to make the egg yolks increase in volume when they are whisked over warm air.
Whisk the egg yolks in a heatproof bowl with the white wine vinegar then set the bowl over a saucepan of just simmering water. Make sure that the water does not touch the bowl.
Now, whisk the mixture over the heat for 2-3 minutes until pale and thick. The mixture will have increased in volume.
Melt the butter in a pan and gradually whisk in to the egg mixture. If the mixture is too thick add a little lemon juice until you find the right consistency. Season to taste.
💭 Top tips for how to separate eggs
- It makes it easier to separate the eggs if you put them in the fridge for 30 minutes before using them.
- Use 2 ramekins or small bowl and separate one egg into them before adding to your mixing bowl. This makes it easier if you have dropped a piece of shell or if one egg is bad it won't contaminate the rest.
- Crack the egg and break in half carefully, keeping the whole egg in one half. Now, pour the egg yolk into the other half of the shell, letting the white go into the ramekin or bowl. Repeat this process until there is just yolk left in the egg shell.
Method 2 - Blender method
Put the egg yolks and vinegar into a blender and combine on a medium speed.
Melt the butter, then add in a steady stream with the blender on. It's easiest to use a jug for this.
Add lemon juice and seasoning as before.
🥗 Serve with
Hollandaise sauce uses
There are lots of French sauces and here are some uses for hollandaise.
- Serve as a warm sauce on top of poached eggs for eggs benedict.
- Pour over steamed asparagus for a simple starter.
- Perfect with fish such as baked salmon.
- As a side dish poured over broccoli or green beans.
Substitutions
- Vinegar - use an equal amount of lemon juice instead.
If you are not keen on the taste of vinegar you can substitute lemon juice instead in equal amounts. Beware of adding extra lemon juice at the end.
📖 Variations
- Easy bearnaise sauce - Béarnaise sauce is a daughter sauce of Hollandaise made with with a reduction of white wine and vinegar and the addition of chervil and tarragon. In France Bearnaise sauce is often served with steak but it goes equally well with fish. To make a quick version add some chopped fresh tarragon.
- Olive oil - replace the butter with olive oil to make a more mayonnaise based sauce. The oil needs to be warmed slightly or it won't emulsify with the eggs.
Storage
- Refrigerator - cool, cover and refrigerate for 2 days.
- Freezer - freeze in a covered container for up to one month. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
- To reheat - this sauce is normally eaten at room temperature so there is no need to reheat.
FAQs
Sometimes, the consistency of the sauce is too runny.
To correct this whisk an egg yolk and whisk slowly into the sauce over the bain marie. The combination of heat and egg will thicken the sauce.
Because a Hollandaise sauce is an emulsion of butter and egg there is a chance that the mixture can split. To avoid this serve the sauce warm immediately or keep warm in the bowl over the simmering water as in the traditional method. It is also possible to rescue a split sauce by whisking in a few drops of hot water.
Keep the sauce in the bain marie over a low heat, stirring occasionally.
More sauces to try
📋 Recipe
Easy Hollandaise Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 egg yolks
- 120 g melted butter
- 1 dessert spoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice
- lemon juice to taste
- seasoning
Instructions
- Traditional Method: Whisk 2 egg yolks in a heatproof bowl with 1 dessertspoon of white wine vinegar.
- Set the bowl over a saucepan of just simmering water. Make sure that the water does not touch the bowl. Whisk the mixture over the heat for 2-3 minutes until pale and thick.
- Melt the butter in a pan and gradually whisk in to the egg mixture a little at a time. If the mixture is too thick add a little lemon juice until you find the right consistency.
- Season to taste.
- Blender Method: Put the eggs and vinegar into a blender and combine on a medium speed.
- Melt the butter then add in a steady stream with the blender on.
- Add lemon juice and season to taste as before.
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Detailed instructions for this recipe, including step by step photographs, hints and tips, can be found in the main article.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using gas.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I love to read them and answer your questions. However, due to spam comments, I do have to moderate each one, so don't worry if you cannot see your comment immediately. I'll publish your comments as soon as I can.
Amanda
Hi Jackie, It definitely has butter as the predominant taste, but I like to add a little extra lemon juice to taste to give it a tang. Just add it drop by drop, as you don't want to thin it out. Thanks, Amanda
Jackie
Hi Amanda. Just made Hollandaise the traditional way and it turned out beautiful. I reduce lemon balsamic vinegar with a bay leaf and peppercorns. Even though the consistency was correct I failed to taste much flavor. Should hollandaise have a flavor other than butter? Suggestions would be appreciated.
Amanda
Thanks Karen.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Lovely photos and I like your tip for how to make just one serving...thanks.
Amanda
Thanks Roslia. I really appreciate it!
Roslia Santamaria
This looks super tasty!! I can’t wait to give it a try! It’s all delicious ingredients 🙂
Amanda
Thanks so much Julie!
Amanda
Thanks Lesli. I'm glad you like it.
Lesli Schwartz
Hollandaise sauce is delish on so many things (like asparagus) and eggs!! This recipe looks so easy to prepare! Thanks!
Julie
Hollandaise sauce in a blender?! I need to try this ASAP! What a great idea!
Amanda
Thanks Brian. I totally agree.
Brian Jones
A fab sauce that every home cook should know how to make at home, fantastic simple instructions!
Amanda
Thanks Susan. It's definitely both of those things and the perfect time of year to enjoy.
Amanda
Thanks Adrianne. They were really difficult to do! The sauce was much easier...
Adrianne
The pour shots in the post look ridiculously good and I am seriously tempted to go out and get some asparagus now!! Wow, what a handy recipe to know how to do. I can imagine this being used in so many ways. Thanks!
Susan @Simply Sundays
So creamy and decadent!
Asparagus is abundant right now and this is the perfect compliment!
Amanda
Thanks Julia. Both ways work but the blender definitely saves whisking!
Julia
Very informative post. I definitely prefer the blender method as it seems so easy 🙂
Amanda
Thanks Bintu!
Amanda
Thanks Sheryl. I tend to chop by hand as I find it therapeutic and I hate clearing up!
Amanda
Thanks so much Chris!
Chris Collins
This is truly hollandaise perfection! Thanks so much for sharing your tips and tricks 🙂
Sheryl
The photos of the Hollandaise Sauce on the asparagus make me want to make some right now. I like how you prefer the traditional method of making the sauce because there is less clean up. When cooking I often consider whether to use the blender or food processor to chop/puree/blend something - and often decide just to do it the old-fashioned way so that I'll have fewer things to wash.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
I love hollandaise sauce but never really make my own! I will definitely be giving your recipe a try!
Amanda
Thanks Diana. It's so delicious!
Diana
I've been looking for a good hollandaise sauce recipe and this looks insanely delicious! Will give it a try.
Amanda
Thanks Claudia. I'm with your son - it's just perfect with eggs!
Amanda
Thanks Megala. It's such a great sauce.
Claudia Lamascolo
you have no idea how much my son loves hollandaise on his eggs this is fabulous method and I will be trying this today thanks so much!
Megala
Thanks for the wonderful share! It sounds authentic.