Homemade Easy Hollandaise Sauce Recipe

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Our homemade classic hollandaise sauce is rich, creamy, and only uses four ingredients. Follow these easy steps to make our homemade easy Hollandaise Sauce recipe that you are sure to love! 

Hollandaise sauce is a classic French sauce, but don’t let the fancy name scare you. Just follow our tips to make this easy Hollandaise sauce, and you’ll be enjoying it with fish, veggies and your favorite Eggs Benedict brunch!

Hollandaise Sauce for Eggs Benedict

Have you tried our recipe for eggs benedict? You are in for a real treat! Using this recipe for traditional sauce, it is one of our favorite Sunday Brunch recipes!

What is Hollandaise Sauce?

This sauce is one of the five “mother sauces” in French cuisine. It is an emulsion of butter, egg yolk, and lemon juice (or, sometimes, vinegar), seasoned with salt, pepper or cayenne.

Hollandaise Sauce Ingredients

• 2 Egg yolks
• ¼ cup Tbsp. Butter (4 tablespoons)
• 1 Tbsp. Lemon juice
• 1 dash of Cayenne pepper

If you prefer, you can use white pepper rather than cayenne pepper. Some recipes also add a little salt, according to taste. Personally, I recommend adding these to the finished dish you serve the sauce with, depending on what works best.

You can also add in a little Dijon mustard to help the sauce emulsify (plus, it adds a great flavor), but only use a very small amount so it doesn’t dominate the flavor.

How to make easy Hollandaise Sauce

Follow these simple steps to make an easy Hollandaise sauce you’ll love:

1. Whisk together the egg yolk and lemon juice in a heatproof bowl.
2. Separately, melt the butter (either in a small pan or in the microwave).
3. Put the bowl with the egg mixture over a pan of simmering water (or use a double boiler) but without the water touching the bowl itself – you just want the steam to heat it.
4. Whisk the melted butter into the egg and lemon mixture and stir gently over the warm water to thicken slightly.
5. Add the cayenne pepper, mix in and serve.

Recipe Tips:

How to thicken the sauce: If for some reason, your sauce does not thicken, you can place it in the microwave for 5 seconds at a time. Only 5 seconds at a time and whisk between heating, until it thickens.

Always use a double boiler: We recommend using a double boiler for making hollandaise sauce because it heats the sauce more evenly. Gently stir to ensure everything melts together smoothly.

How to Make a Double Boiler

If you are like us, we don’t like to have extra kitchen equipment stored for limited use. Plus, making your own double boiler is super easy! All you need is a large saucepan or pot and a heatproof glass or metal bowl.

Fill the saucepan halfway with water, bring to a low simmer and place the heatproof glass or metal bowl on top. And get ready to use those biceps to whisk away!

Is Hollandaise Sauce safe to eat?

Yes, it is. Since our sauce is heated on a double boiler and heated, it is safe to consume.

Can you make Hollandaise Sauce in advance?

It is best to use Hollandaise sauce right away, as the sauce can either separate or form a skin if it is left for later.

However, it is possible to keep this easy Hollandaise sauce warm and either chill or freeze and reheat.

How long does Hollandaise Sauce keep?

The general view is that you can keep Hollandaise sauce warm for up to about an hour. You can do this by keeping it over the warm water you used to make it, just off the heat. If it becomes too thick, whisk in some warm water.

If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate within 2 hours of making it and use it within 1-2 days. You can freeze it, but it is best to use relatively soon, then defrost in the refrigerator before using it.

Can you freeze Hollandaise sauce?

You can freeze the sauce for up to 4 weeks. Remove from the freezer and thaw in the fridge.

How do you reheat Hollandaise Sauce?

If reheating Hollandaise sauce, make sure you use low heat and use your double boiler method, otherwise, the sauce will separate.

You can either use the same method you used to make the sauce originally, in a bowl over a pan of simmering water or the microwave.

If you use the microwave, it must be heated on low power – around 20% – and for about 15 seconds. Whisk and check the temperature after heating.

Uses for Hollandaise Sauce

Hollandaise sauce is most famously used for Eggs Benedict and its many variations, but it can also be used for many other dishes.

It goes really well with salmon, particularly poached, as well as other light and mellow fish or seafood like crab.

This creamy sauce also works well with many vegetables like asparagus and broccoli, particularly if they are steamed.

Is Hollandaise Sauce Keto Friendly?

Yes, it is a very low carb sauce. Pour some of this delicious sauce on meats, fish, seafood and all your favorite egg dishes.

This easy sauce comes together in no time and is a great way to elevate your brunch, main dishes, and sides. Try some soon, and you’ll be using it with everything!

Looking for other easy sauce recipes you can make at home?

• Learn how to make Alfredo Sauce – the classic Italian cheese sauce
• Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
• Peri Peri Sauce Recipe – add some heat with this bright Portuguese and South African chili sauce

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Photos by Caroline Williams.