Print Options

Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce

Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce

Many people are afraid of hollandaise sauce, are you? Some think eating it will make them fat. (It will if you eat it every day, so don't eat it every day.) If you are like me, the thought of making hollandaise conjures up visions of toque clad chefs with big bowls and even bigger whisks swearing because the beautiful sauce they have spent the last several minutes vigorously whisking has separated on them, "Merde!"

I have been desperately afraid of making this sauce since forever. (Not afraid of eating it mind you, I've never met an eggs benedict I didn't like, or eat.) To overcome this fear I asked my friend Hank to show me how to make it. OMG. Hank's hollandaise didn't separate, and he didn't swear (any more than usual), but the work! The beads of sweat forming on this man's forehead as he whipped those egg yolks and butter into submission. I was dreading the attempt. Hank has arms of steel. I have arms of, hmmm, a young, willowy sapling? Whatever. Not steel.

The solution? Blender hollandaise. It's easy! Even I can do it. Which means even you can do it. So I encourage you to try it, if you like me have been intimidated by the thought of attempting this sauce. Use it over fish, steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, or on top of poached eggs, bacon, and English muffins.

By the way, if you want to try your hand at traditional Hollandaise, Michael Ruhlman has a great post breaking down all the steps on his site: Classic Hollandaise Sauce.

Print Options

Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 egg yolks (see how to separate eggs)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (if using salted butter, skip the added salt)

Method

1 Melt the butter slowly in a small pot. Try not to let it boil – you want the moisture in the butter to remain there and not steam away.

2 Add the egg yolks, lemon juice, salt and cayenne (if using) into your blender. Blend the egg yolk mixture at a medium to medium high speed until it lightens in color, about 20-30 seconds. The friction generated by the blender blades will heat the yolks a bit. The blending action will also introduce a little air into them, making your hollandaise a bit lighter.

3 Once the yolks have lightened in color, turn the blender down to its lowest setting (if you only have one speed on your blender it will still work), and drizzle in the melted butter slowly, while the blender is going. Continue to buzz for another couple seconds after the butter is all incorporated.

4 Turn off the blender and taste the sauce. It should be buttery, lemony and just lightly salty. If it is not salty or lemony enough, you can add a little lemon juice or salt to taste. If you want a thinner consistency, add a little warm water. Pulse briefly to incorporate the ingredients one more time.

Store until needed in a warm spot, like on or next to the stovetop. Use within an hour or so.

Makes about 1 cup of sauce, good for about 4-6 servings.

You might also like...

46 Comments

I've never tried eggs benedict and have always wanted to try it. I'm inspired to make it now! Thanks for the recipe!

Posted by: Jeanette on April 27, 2010 11:54 PM

Two words: immersion blender

Posted by: Richard on April 28, 2010 12:58 AM

I can attest to the delicious simplicity of blender hollandaise. My mother-in-law worked in the Oster test kitchen in the '60s and '70s and brought the idea home to us. I've never made Eggs Benedict any other way.

Posted by: Meg on April 28, 2010 3:17 AM

That sounds good and a little less calorie dense than another recipe I found. I'll have to try it. Thanks!

Posted by: Sally on April 28, 2010 3:24 AM

I used to make this brunch parties back in the '80's. This looks much easier Elise.It could be back on the menu in our house I think.

Posted by: barbara on April 28, 2010 3:53 AM

Brilliant! And why have all of these tools in the kitchen if not to make our lives a bit easier and our cooking more confident?

Posted by: Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) on April 28, 2010 4:19 AM

I've never actually made it, but I do love it! I have an amazing eggs benedict recipe I've been dying to try out, so maybe I'll give this Hollandaise sauce a try :)

Posted by: Sues on April 28, 2010 5:50 AM

Eating practically raw eggs?

Supposedly the heat generated from the friction of the blender blades and the hot butter are enough to raise the temp of the eggs sufficiently. Still, if raw eggs are a concern, you can try this with pasteurized eggs, or try a more classical method in which you whisk the eggs over a double boiler. ~Elise

Posted by: Collin on April 28, 2010 5:55 AM

Thanks for the recipe and blender suggestion Elise.

I love hollandaise but don't make it often because of all the whisking. Utilizing the blender will make this a snap. Thanks!

Posted by: CJ McD on April 28, 2010 6:28 AM

Brilliant!
BTW, pour the finished sauce into your thermos, or insulated coffee carafe to keep it warm.

Posted by: Lou Doench on April 28, 2010 6:35 AM

Thanks for this recipe. I'm one of those people always afraid to attempt making it. Very exciting, I'll slather it on everything!
Oh, by the way, don't worry about it making you fat. Slather it on a lovely protein without the complex carb and you won't gain an ounce!

Posted by: Tide on April 28, 2010 6:45 AM

MMMMMM.....Looks tasty. I'll have to try it.
Suzanne

Posted by: Window On The Prairie on April 28, 2010 7:06 AM

Bestill my heart. I LOVE hollandaise sauce, but have never tried to make it...now I am going to get my brave on and just DO IT! Thanks.

Posted by: Sheila(Strawberry CAKE) on April 28, 2010 7:08 AM

This reminds me of The Joy of Cooking. My mother in law introduced me to blender hollandaise in an ear marked copy she shared with me years ago.

Posted by: Blh on April 28, 2010 7:38 AM

I've been making blender hollandaise sauce for years from a recipe out of my Mom's old Betty Crocker cookbook. It really does take all the frustration out of hollandaise.

Posted by: Charise on April 28, 2010 7:42 AM

Perfect timing! I decided to commit to making eggs benedict this weekend and am so happy to see this recipe come up. There's no way my arms could handle making this by hand so the blender method is truly appreciated!

Posted by: iga@thedelishdish on April 28, 2010 8:20 AM

@Collin; People are WAY too afraid of raw eggs in my opinion. Look up some statistics on salmonella; something like 1 in every 30,000 eggs produced is contaminated with salmonella and if you buy organic, free-range eggs the contamination rate is even lower (as free-range chickens are, on average, much healthier than their factory farmed brethren). I make caesar salad from scratch (using raw egg yolk) all the time and have noticed no ill effects.

Posted by: Mike on April 28, 2010 8:47 AM

This recipe looks wonderful and I'm definitely going to try it. Tide, sorry but with 10 tablespoons of butter, you don't need carbs to add calories, lol! For special occasions, a good Hollandaise sauce may be worth the calories!

Posted by: Momnotclone on April 28, 2010 9:10 AM

Just made a similar hollandaise this past weekend for my first try at Eggs Benedict. This blender version makes it sooo easy!

Posted by: Susan-Cooking to Save on April 28, 2010 9:27 AM

Ha - I love it! I, too, have been fearful of Hollandaise sauce, but this looks very doable.

Posted by: Dara on April 28, 2010 10:17 AM

This looks so easy that I think I might get the husband to make this for a potluck with poached salmon and asparagus!

Posted by: Jeni on April 28, 2010 10:37 AM

Hi Elise! I have made hollandaise in the blender at work, as long as the chef isn't old-school strict about it. The one thing is that the butter should be super-hot, not cooled, to ensure that the eggs get cooked. Since you add it while the blender is running, it doesn't scramble the eggs.

Good to know, thank you! I'll adjust the recipe. ~Elise

Posted by: Saria on April 28, 2010 11:33 AM

I've met plenty of eggs Benedict I didn't like--enough that I never order it in restaurants any more. More often than not the eggs are overcooked and there's not enough hollandaise.

It is my favorite brunch dish though, and I make it from time to time.

Here's something to try: Use smoked salmon instead of the Canadian bacon. Yum!

Posted by: Bruce on April 28, 2010 12:56 PM

I've tried it both ways-- and in the blender is definitely easier, and tastes just as good.

I like your addition of cayenne-- will have to remember to try that next time.

Posted by: Andrea on April 28, 2010 1:42 PM

I made this tonight for an eggs Benedict dinner with some asparagus for good measure. It was wonderful and easy. I cut the salt in half and when I make it again I will not use any. I think there was enough in the salted butter. Thank you, Lisa

Posted by: Lisa J. Cihlar on April 28, 2010 2:22 PM

This certainly looks like an easier method to make hollandaise.

I second Bruces suggestion to try smoked salmon on eggs benedict.

Posted by: Dominic on April 28, 2010 2:39 PM

Awesome! I've also been scared to try making it (or just never rose to the level of "must make" for me.)

Posted by: Kalynskitchen on April 28, 2010 2:52 PM

Awesome post. I work in a kitchen and I hate making the stuff, but this looks pretty easy.

Posted by: Pencil on April 28, 2010 3:50 PM

I first came across this recipe in my 1971 edition of Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook. It is so easy, and so good that I don't ever remember making a traditional Hollandaise.

Posted by: Merryann on April 28, 2010 4:52 PM

Looks so good - I am wondering if it could be made in a food processor or does it have to be a blender. If so, there go the knees digging around under the cupboard to see if I even have a blender :-)

Posted by: Jan on April 28, 2010 5:28 PM

Just like Julia Child said 40 years ago (which everyone has conveniently forgotten):

3 egg yolks
2 tablespoons lemon juice (or less, to taste)
1 stick butter, melted and still very hot
salt and white pepper to taste

Blend egg yolks and lemon juice and drizzle in the hot butter with blender running. The hot butter cooks the yolks and produces a very fine, thick sauce - just delicious.

Very simple, very quick, and always works. There's nothing new under the sun.

Posted by: Paul on April 28, 2010 5:47 PM

YAY! this is perfect for me!!! I find the regular method way too tedious and not fool proof.... now I can have bendict at home!

Posted by: Asha@FSK on April 28, 2010 5:53 PM

Elise: Thanks for reminding me how easy making hollandaise sauce can be. More important right now is to tell you what a genius you are at creating a web site - I had such fun exploring the other sauces that were suggested. I'll be making the Orange Beurre Blanc sauce for our dinner tonight. Then when I feel we can stand the calories I'll try the hollandaise on some fresh spring asparagus. Your clear, uncluttered design is like browsing through a good library. There's so many new and exciting things to find! Thanks, Paula,loving to cook, eat and read on the NH seacoast.

Thanks Paula! ~Elise

Posted by: Paula on April 29, 2010 3:03 AM

I just made this for the first time a couple of weeks ago using this exact method (courtesy of Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything") and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.

Posted by: Rosie on April 29, 2010 5:45 AM

One little tip - clarify your butter before making the sauce. As you warm the butter you will get a lot of milk solids and such that float to the top. Skim these off before making the sauce.

And now that you have Hollandaise why not go the extra step and make Bearnaise??? Great on steaks and burgers and.... pretty much everything!

Posted by: Garyin Massena on April 29, 2010 11:11 AM

I will definitely have to try this. Eggs Benedict is also my favorite. I use a recipe that I found years ago in Fanny Farmer for a microwave hollandaise that is super easy and always turns out perfect. This looks even easier. BTW, I once made way too much hollandaise and decided to freeze it in ziplock bags. I figured if it didn't work, I will throw it out then instead of now. IT WORKED!! All I had to do was rewhisk and reheat. Done!

Posted by: Kelly on April 29, 2010 12:04 PM

I love this recipe. I have been using it for about a year or so. It is a no fail delicious sauce, My daughter loves Hollandaise and this is perfect.

Posted by: maxinemary on April 29, 2010 5:19 PM

Why, oh WHY haven't I thought of this? The last time I made hollandaise sauce, it separated right before my eyes, while my arm ached from whisking, and sweat accumulating on my forehead. There was much swearing and vowing never to make the sauce again (what a waste of a whole stick of butter!)

Posted by: Christen on April 29, 2010 9:26 PM

Oh that sounds so easy. And I will be able to make good use of some organic free range egg my friend got me yesterday. Can butter be substituted with olive oil?

Hollandaise is a butter sauce. I think if you use olive oil what you will end up with is an aioli or mayonnaise. ~Elise

Posted by: chandani on April 30, 2010 2:48 PM

Hey Elise,
I was wondering if the butter is measured after melting or before. Because 10 tablespoons of solid butter is much more when melted.

Before melted. You know the measurement lines on the sticks of butter? Well, it's basically one stick of butter plus 2 Tbsp from another stick. ~Elise

Posted by: rabia on May 1, 2010 2:40 AM

Would this be good on a simple salad? I was thinking it might because it is kind of like a vinaigrette.

I can't imagine putting a butter sauce on salad. But if you try it, please let us know how it turns out for you. ~Elise

Posted by: rabia on May 1, 2010 10:53 PM

I've been making a blender hollandaise sauce for years (although now will often just do it in a pan with an immersion blender) and the results are great..even if the arms aren't willowy!

I don't worry about the eggs cooking; if I did I would never be able to make a French Silk Pie or true Caesar Salad again but I do make sure to buy the freshest eggs and refrigerate them as soon as possible...and maybe cross my fingers a little bit!

Posted by: Barbara @ VinoLuciStyle on May 2, 2010 9:30 AM

Thanks for the reply Elise, Yeah it didn't turn out like a sauce with olive oil. It was more thick. I learn my lesson use only butter.

Posted by: chandani on May 4, 2010 3:38 PM

I made the sauce and it came out runny. When I have it at restaurants, the sauce is thick. Did I do something wrong? I followed the recipe.

I'm guessing you need to blend more in step 2. If it's still a problem, add just a little less lemon juice. ~Elise

Posted by: Hilda on May 12, 2010 8:15 AM

Really easy & really good. Thanks for the recipe. :)

Posted by: Tavia on May 13, 2010 4:44 PM

If the holldaise winds up too thin, then you can put it in a pyrex container and nuke it for a few seconds, stir with a fork to determine constancy (and maybe lightly whisk), and repeat as necessary.

Posted by: MonkeyBoy on June 18, 2010 6:37 PM

Post a comment

(Your comment may need to be approved before it will appear on the site. Thanks for waiting. First time commenting? Please review the Comment Policy.)

Link to this recipe

Bookmark this page using the following link: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/easy_blender_hollandaise_sauce/

Do you have a website? You can place a link to this page by copying and pasting the code below.

<a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/easy_blender_hollandaise_sauce/">Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce</a>