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Eggs Benedict Recipe

Classic Eggs Benedict

A spectacular, restaurant-quality brunch made easy! Perfectly poached eggs and savory Canadian bacon sit atop toasted English muffins, all smothered in a rich, foolproof blender hollandaise sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

  • For the Hollandaise Sauce:
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • For the Eggs Benedict:
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 slices Canadian bacon or thick-cut ham
  • 2 English muffins split in half
  • Fresh chives or paprika for garnish

Equipment

  • High-speed blender or immersion blender
  • Large saucepan (for poaching eggs)
  • Fine mesh strainer or slotted spoon
  • Skillet or toaster

Method
 

  1. Make the Hollandaise: Place the egg yolks, fresh lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper into a blender. Blend on medium speed for about 20 seconds until the mixture lightens in color.
  2. Melt the Butter: Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl until it is completely melted and bubbling hot.
  3. Emulsify the Sauce: Turn the blender on to a medium-low speed. Carefully open the pour spout at the top of the blender and very slowly stream the hot melted butter into the running blender. The sauce will immediately thicken into a rich, creamy consistency. Leave it in the blender and set aside.
  4. Warm the Meat and Muffins: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Lightly brown the Canadian bacon slices for about 1 to 2 minutes per side until warmed through. Meanwhile, toast the split English muffins until golden brown.
  5. Prepare for Poaching: Fill a large saucepan with about 3 inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer (not a rapid boil). Stir in the white vinegar.
  6. Poach the Eggs: Crack one egg into a small ramekin or fine mesh sieve. Use a spoon to vigorously stir the simmering water in a circle to create a gentle whirlpool. Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Let them cook undisturbed for 3 minutes for soft, runny yolks. Use a slotted spoon to remove the eggs and let them drain on a paper towel.
  7. Assemble: Place two English muffin halves on a plate. Top each half with a slice of warm Canadian bacon, then carefully place a poached egg on top of the meat. Generously spoon the warm hollandaise sauce over the eggs.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with a dash of paprika or freshly chopped chives and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

The Blender Method: Using a blender is the absolute best way for home cooks to make hollandaise. The friction of the blades combined with the bubbling hot butter gently cooks the egg yolks while perfectly emulsifying the sauce, preventing it from breaking.
Vinegar for Poaching: Do not skip the white vinegar in the poaching water. You will not taste it, but the acid helps the egg whites rapidly coagulate and wrap neatly around the yolk instead of feathering out into a stringy mess.
Fixing Thick Sauce: If your hollandaise sits for too long while you are poaching the eggs, it may thicken up too much. Simply blend in a teaspoon of warm water right before serving to thin it back out to the perfect pouring consistency.