Servings
Font
Back
0 from 27 votes

The BEST Traditional Eggs Benedict

Traditional eggs Benedict is the Queen of brunch dishes. Toasted English muffins, savory Canadian bacon, perfectly poached eggs, and a luxuriously creamy sauce—what's not to love?

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 651 kcal
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

  • 12 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon white or cider vinegar
  • 6 English muffins
  • 12 slices Canadian bacon
  • cayenne or paprika , for serving
  • fresh chives , for serving
For the Hollandaise Sauce
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup hot water
  • 1 cup unsalted butter , (½ lb)
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. First, prepare the poached eggs. Fill a non-stick skillet with 2-3 inches of water, or a medium saucepan with 4 inches of water. Add the vinegar. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium eat until bubbles form on bottom of the pan.
  2. Over a small bowl or ramekin, crack each egg one at a time into a fine sieve or strainer to drain off the watery part of the whites. Doing so creates less wispies as the eggs cook in the water. Slip the egg into the simmering water instead of cracking them into the water. Be sure not to crowd the pan. Use a sieve to skim the water. Cook for 2 ½ to 3 minutes or until the whites are set and the yolks are still tender. Use a slotted spoon to gently release the eggs from the bottom of the pan if sticking and remove from the water. Dab the eggs on a kitchen towel or paper towel and trim any rough edges or wispy whites. Serve immediately or place in an ice water bath to stop cooking. Set aside until ready to serve.
  3. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Arrange Canadian bacon slices on one sheet pan and the English muffin halves on another. Place both pans in the oven for about 5-10 minutes or until bacon is warmed through and muffins are golden brown. While muffins and bacon warm, make the hollandaise sauce.
  4. To make the hollandaise sauce, heat butter over low heat in a small pan on the stove until melted, or in a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup on high heat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. Add the yolks and lemon juice to the blender and blend on high for 15 seconds. Scrape down the sides and slowly add the water until incorporated.
  5. Drizzle the hot butter into the egg yolk mixture, covering the hole of the lid with a kitchen towel to avoid splattering. Blend on high until thickened, about 30-60 seconds. Taste for seasoning and add more lemon juice or salt to taste. To keep the sauce warm and to thicken, pour into a small saucepan over low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
  6. To assemble the eggs Benedict, plate two muffin halves and top with a generous spoonful of hollandaise. Add a slice of Canadian bacon and then a poached egg to each, then drizzle with more hollandaise. Top with a sprinkle of cayenne or paprika and fresh chives (I like to snip them with scissors, right over the plate). Repeat with remaining ingredients and serve.

Notes

  • Poached eggs can be refrigerated for 24 hours and reheated in simmering water for 45 seconds.
  • Because this blender hollandaise sauce calls for just 4 ingredients, make sure they’re the highest quality you can find.
  • If you like a little more gusto to your hollandaise, add more lemon juice or ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, a dash or two of Tabasco, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • The sauce is best when used immediately. If you have leftovers, the hollandaise will keep stored in the fridge up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slowly over low heat.
  • If the hollandaise sauce breaks, add an ice cube to the sauce and stir until it is creamy and consistent. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 651kcal (33%) Carbohydrates 28g (9%) Protein 29g (58%) Fat 46g (71%) Saturated Fat 24g (120%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 14g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 535mg (178%) Sodium 914mg (38%) Potassium 415mg (12%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 1551IU (31%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 105mg (11%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 651

% Daily Value*

Calories 651kcal 33%
Carbohydrates 28g 9%
Protein 29g 58%
Fat 46g 71%
Saturated Fat 24g 120%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 14g 70%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 535mg 178%
Sodium 914mg 38%
Potassium 415mg 9%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 1551IU 31%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 105mg 11%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.