Hollandaise Sauce
AI-generated image
Vegetarian Gluten-free Global

Hollandaise Sauce

A classic, velvety emulsion of egg yolks, clarified butter, and lemon, finished with just enough acidity to brighten eggs, fish, and vegetables.

20 min 4 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat until fully liquid. Let it stand for 2 minutes, then carefully pour the clear golden butter into a jug, leaving the cloudy milk solids in the pan; keep the clarified butter warm, not hot.
2
Bring 2 to 3 cm of water to a bare simmer in a saucepan. In a heatproof bowl that fits over the pan without touching the water, whisk the egg yolks, lemon juice, and warm water until blended and lightly foamy.
3
Set the bowl over the barely simmering water and whisk continuously for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the sides, until the yolks are pale, airy, and thick enough to leave a ribbon that briefly holds on the surface.
4
Remove the bowl from the heat and whisk in the warm clarified butter a few drops at a time at first. Once the sauce begins to thicken and emulsify, add the remaining butter in a thin, steady stream while whisking constantly until glossy and smooth.
Warm clarified butter being whisked into egg yolks to form a glossy emulsion AI-generated image
5
Season with the sea salt and taste. Add a few drops more lemon juice if needed. Serve immediately while the sauce is warm and fluid; it should coat a spoon but still fall in a smooth ribbon.
Finished glossy Hollandaise Sauce coating a spoon AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Clarifying the butter gives the sauce a clean, glossy texture, while gentle yolk warming creates a stable emulsion without scrambling. Lemon cuts the richness and keeps the finish lively.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Hollandaise is best served immediately. If necessary, keep it warm for up to 30 minutes in a heatproof bowl set over warm, not simmering, water; do not refrigerate for later use.

How to reheat it

Do not reheat directly over heat. To loosen a warm sauce, whisk in a teaspoon of warm water. Discard sauce that has been held at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Nutrition / serving

259kcal
2.43 gprotein
0.77 gcarbs
27.92 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 21 Aug 2026 · updated 21 Aug 2026