What Is Hollandaise Sauce?
Hollandaise sauce is one of the five Mother Sauces of French cuisine — and she’s got main character energy. Think of it as a rich, velvety blend of egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice that makes everything it touches taste fancy. It’s the creamy drizzle that turns brunch into a luxury and asparagus into a party.
In short: It’s butter, elevated.
Table of contents
- A Little Backstory: The Origin of Hollandaise
- Where You've Probably Tasted It (And Loved It)
- Common Variations of Hollandaise sauce
- The No-Panic Recipe Overview (That Actually Works)
- Sauce Emergency? Here’s How to Fix a Broken Hollandaise sauce
- Tips & Tricks for Sauce Success
- Frequently asked questions
A Little Backstory: The Origin of Hollandaise
Despite the name, Hollandaise is French, not Dutch. (Surprise!)
It was supposedly created in Normandy and first gained fame in the 17th century as “Sauce Isigny”, named after the rich butter-producing town of Isigny-sur-Mer. After a brief butter crisis, the sauce made a comeback during World War I with a new, trendy name — Hollandaise.
🧈 Butter. Crisis. Sauce. Drama. We love a culinary plot twist.
The French call it a “hot emulsion sauce” — a.k.a. the same principle as making mayo, but warm and buttery. You’re basically emulsifying royalty now.
Where You’ve Probably Tasted It (And Loved It)
- Eggs Benedict (hello, brunch royalty)
- Grilled asparagus (try it — game changer)
- Steamed fish or salmon
- Poached veggies or artichokes
- Even as a dip for French fries (don’t knock it till you dip it)
Common Variations of Hollandaise sauce
Want to spice things up? Here’s how the sauce gets a makeover:
| Name | Twist |
|---|---|
| Béarnaise | Add tarragon, vinegar, and shallots |
| Mousseline | Fold in whipped cream for a lighter, airy version |
| Maltaise | Orange zest and juice, perfect with asparagus |
| No-Butter Hollandaise | Swap with ghee or olive oil (light version) |
The No-Panic Recipe Overview (That Actually Works)
✨ Easy Blender Hollandaise (Because We Love a Shortcut)
Ingredients:
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 pinch cayenne (optional but fab)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (hot and melted)
Ingredient Substitutions
For readers with dietary needs or pantry gaps:
- Butter → Ghee (clarified butter) or vegan butter
- Lemon juice → Vinegar (white wine or champagne)
- Egg yolks → Silken tofu (for vegan option)
Steps:
- In a blender, combine yolks, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne.
- Blend on low for 20 seconds.
- Slowly drizzle in hot melted butter while blending until thick.
- Taste, tweak, devour.
👩🍳 Chef’s tip: If it gets too thick, add a tsp of warm water to loosen it up!
How to make French Hollandaise sauce ?
Equipment
- Whisk or blender
- Sauce Pan For double boiler
Ingredients
- 1 no Egg yolk
- 100 ml Melted butter
- 5 ml Lemon juice or vinegar
- 3 g Crushed peppercorn
- As required Salt
- 5 g Cayenne pepper optional
- 1 tsp Cold water
Instructions
Double boiler technique
Create a Bain-Marie (Hot Water Bath)
- Place a small saucepan with an inch or two of water on medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer — not a boil. Set your heatproof bowl over it (shouldn’t touch the water).
Whisk Yolks + Water
- In your bowl, add:egg yolks1 tsp cold water5 ml lemon juiceWhisk vigorously until the mixture is pale, foamy, and slightly thickened (about 1–2 minutes).🎯 Pro Tip: Cold water helps stabilize the eggs and prevent curdling.
Add Warmth – Slowly
- Place the bowl over your simmering saucepan. Keep whisking like your brunch depends on it. You’re looking for the mixture to gently thicken — NOT scramble. Control the heat!⏱️ This takes about 1-2 minutes. You'll see it coat the back of a spoon.
Drizzle in Melted Butter
- With one hand whisking constantly, slowly stream in the hot melted butter a little at a time. Start with a few drops, then increase once it begins to thicken.💡 Don’t pour too fast or it might split!
Season & Adjust
- Once the sauce is thick and glossy, remove from heat and whisk in:A pinch of saltA pinch of cayenne or crushed peppercorns (optional, adds warmth)More lemon juice if needed (for tang!)Serve immediately over poached eggs, asparagus, salmon, or whatever needs a buttery crown
Easy Blender Hollandaise (Lazy Bruncher Method)
- Add egg yolks, lemon juice, and salt to a blender.
- Blend on LOW for 15–20 seconds.
- Slowly drizzle in hot melted butter while blending (very slowly at first).
- Add cayenne and blend a few seconds more.
- ⚠️ Note: The butter must be hot to help slightly “cook” the yolks in the blender.
Notes
- Too thin? Blend in another egg yolk.
- Too thick? Add warm water or lemon juice 1 tsp at a time.
- Broken? Don’t panic. Blend a fresh yolk and drizzle in the split sauce to rescue it!
Sauce Emergency? Here’s How to Fix a Broken Hollandaise sauce
Don’t cry over split sauce — just fix it like a boss.
| Problem | How to Fix |
|---|---|
| Too thick? | Add a splash of warm water and whisk |
| Too thin? | Blend in another egg yolk |
| Broken (curdled)? | Start fresh yolk + warm water, whisk in broken sauce slowly |
Pro Tip: Always melt butter gently and whisk like you’re casting a spell.
Tips & Tricks for Sauce Success
- Use room temp eggs. Cold yolks don’t blend well.
- Whisk constantly if making the traditional way. Or your eggs will scramble — not in a good way.
- Keep the heat LOW. This is a sauce, not an omelette.
- Make it just before serving. It doesn’t like waiting around.
Dessert Hollandaise (Yes, It’s a Thing!)
Fold in sweet ingredients like orange zest or vanilla and drizzle over waffles, crepes, or baked apples. Mind = blown.
Frequently asked questions
Hollandaise sauce
Can I freeze Hollandaise sauce?
Sadly, nope. It separates when frozen. Just make it fresh — it’s quick and worth it!
How do I store leftovers?
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat very gently in a warm water bath — no microwaves!
Can I make it dairy-free?
Heck yes! Use vegan butter or olive oil (though texture may vary slightly). Still rich, still delish.
Why did my sauce curdle or scramble?
Overheated eggs = scrambled. Keep the heat low and whisk constantly. To save it, blend with a fresh yolk and tablespoon of warm water.
Can I use vinegar instead of lemon juice?
Yup! White wine vinegar or champagne vinegar work great. Just don’t overdo it or it’ll be too sharp.
Can I make it without a blender or double boiler?
Totally! Just use a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (not touching it) and whisk like a pro. Or use a hand whisk and patience.
Why does my sauce taste bland?
Add a pinch of salt, cayenne, or Dijon mustard. Sometimes it just needs that little “oomph”!
Is it safe to eat raw yolks in Hollandaise?
Yes, if the sauce is heated to 160°F or you use pasteurized eggs. Always keep food safety in mind, especially for kids or immunocompromised folks.
My butter was too cold — now what?
Warm it up gently and start over. Cold butter can shock the yolks and stop the emulsion before it starts.
Can I make Hollandaise in advance?
Kinda. It’s best fresh, but you can keep it warm in a thermos or a warm water bath (bain-marie) for up to 1–2 hours.
Can I reheat Hollandaise?
Yes, but very gently! Place the container in warm water and stir. Never microwave it directly — that’s a scrambled egg trap!
Help! It tastes too eggy.
Add a little more lemon juice or vinegar and whisk again. The acidity balances the eggy taste beautifully.
Why is my sauce too runny?
You might not have added enough butter or whisked it long enough. Add another yolk and re-whisk gently over low heat.
My sauce is way too thick — how do I fix it?
Just whisk in a spoonful of warm water or lemon juice until it loosens up. Boom — silky again!
Why did my Hollandaise sauce split?
It likely got too hot too fast or the butter was added too quickly. The emulsion broke! Try rescuing it by whisking a fresh egg yolk in a separate bowl and slowly whisking the broken sauce into it.
Tried this recipe? Snap a pic and tag me with your best Hollandaise creation! Or tell me your wildest sauce experiment in the comments!
