• Privacy Policy/Disclaimer
  • Nutrition Disclaimer
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

The Tasty Tip

Tutorials, Recipes, Reviews

  • Favorite Recipes
    • Main Dish (Entrée)
    • Dessert
    • Sauces, Dips, & Spreads
    • Snacks and Sides
    • Smoothies & Drinks
    • Pantry
  • Tutorials
    • Cooking Tips
    • Baking Tips
  • Ingredient Guides
  • Tasty Reviews
    • Product Reviews
    • Restaurant Reviews
You are here: Home / Tutorials / This is Why its so Hard to Get a Hollandaise Sauce Recipe to Turn Out Right

Sauces, Dips, & Spreads Tutorials

This is Why its so Hard to Get a Hollandaise Sauce Recipe to Turn Out Right

Share1
Pin5
Tweet
6 Shares

Find out why a hollandaise sauce recipe fails and how you can make it work beautifully every time. Get recipe and instructions for classic stove top hollandaise sauce.  Learn how to fix hollandaise sauce that has curdled or broken down.

hollandaise sauce on asparagus

What is Hollandaise Sauce?

Oh, hollandaise sauce.  You can be so dreamy or you can go so very, very wrong. With the flavors of butter and egg yolks balanced with just a hint of lemon, a great hollandaise sauce recipe is creamy and smooth and flows slowly off the spoon to top vegetables, eggs or fish.

Hollandaise sauce, known as one of the five French mother sauces is often the most difficult mother sauce to master.

I found this out the hard way as I used over 4 dozen eggs in my many attempts to get it right.  I wanted to make the recipe correctly and I wanted it to be easy.  Or at least, not too difficult.  Hollandaise sauce requires patience and the ability to be just a little bit daring. After all, it is difficult to cook the sauce to the magical 160° Fahrenheit, recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration to kill bacteria commonly found in eggs.

But if the sauce is heated too high, it will break apart and curdle.  The number one reason hollandaise sauce fails is because it is heated too high or heated too quickly.

asparagus drizzled with a great hollandaise sauce recipe

If you are looking for something a little healthier, try my healthy hollandaise sauce that tastes the same as classic hollandaise.  If you want a quicker recipe, try my 30 second immersion blender hollandaise sauce.

The History Behind the Hollandaise Sauce Recipe

Before the French Revolution, the French aristocracy employed talented chefs who made culinary delights for them in their homes and palaces.  However, after the fall of the aristocracy and the French Revolution, these cooks were out of work.

So the chefs began opening up restaurants and creating their own delicious dishes to attract the new bourgeoisie.  These newly empowered French citizens were eager to show their class. Dining on fine cuisine was one way to distinguish their superb taste.  The rising middle class French citizens helped give rise to fine culinary dining and to popularize gastronomy.  They were one of the first group of foodies.

The great chefs of the day were popular and admired by the people.  As they created new dishes and sauces, they began naming these foods after themselves.

In the early 19th century, Antonin Careme, also known as the father of classic French cooking, identified four fundamental mother sauces (grandes sauces) and their varieties (petite sauces), which were unique sauces that began with one of the grandes sauces.

In the early 20th century in an attempt to simplify and refine sauces, Auguste Escoffier defined 5 mother sauces, still recognized today.  These sauces are béchamel, espagnole, veloute, tomate and hollandaise.

Hollandaise is the only one of these sauces made by emulsion.  Emulsion is mixing two or more ingredients that are usually unmixable (such as oil and water).  In hollandaise sauce, the egg yolk stabilizes the sauce, allowing the clarified butter to emulsify into the egg yolks.

Hollandaise Sauce Ingredients

  • Egg yolks
  • Water
  • Clarified butter
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt
  • White pepper
  • Cayenne pepper

What Hollandaise Sauce Goes With

Hollandaise sauce is well known as the sauce used for eggs Benedict.  However, it is also delicious on fish, such as salmon and sole.  In addition, it is good on vegetables like asparagus, cauliflower and artichokes.

Hollandaise sauce is typically made in a saucier or a double broiler.  A double broiler (or a bowl over a pan of simmering water) helps control the temperature easier.  Hollandaise can break down quickly and curdle if heated too high a temperature.  This can happen quickly if you don’t keep a close watch on the sauce.

How to Keep Hollandaise Sauce Warm

Hollandaise sauce is a warm sauce, not a hot sauce.  It breaks down if it gets too hot.  After it is finished, there are a few ways to keep it warm.

  • Pour it in a warm pan, cover it with a lid and place the pan on a warming burner
  • Keep it in a preheated thermos (tip I learned from Jamie Oliver).

Preheat the thermos by pouring very hot water inside and placing the lid on.  Let it sit for 15 minutes.  This should be done prior to making the hollandaise sauce.  When the sauce is ready, dump the water from the thermos.  Pour in the hollandaise sauce and replace the lid.

How to Make Hollandaise Sauce – A Classic Method

This classic method will require A LOT of whisking.  Plan on standing by your stove and babying the sauce.

To better control the cooking temperature, use a double broiler or a bowl over a pan of simmering water.  The water should not touch the bowl.

progression of egg yolk and water whisking for hollandaise sauce

  • Bring eggs to room temperature.
  • Whisk the egg yolks, lemon juice and water together until it frothy.  Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.

Add clarified butter and whisk until smooth to make hollandaise sauce

  • Add the clarified butter a little at a time and whisk constantly.
  • When the sauce is thick and creamy, remove from the heat.

An Important Note on the Safe Cooking Temperature of Eggs

The US Food and Drug Administration recommends cooking eggs to a temperature of 160° Fahrenheit.  (Read more about cooking temperatures on my post about food safety.)

On the other hand, Dr. Terry Simpson, a weight loss surgeon certified in Culinary Medicine, asserts that 130° Fahrenheit is the temperature that salmonella bacteria cannot grow.  He insists that such high cooking temperatures are unneeded and high cooking temperatures interfere with food flavor.  So, obviously there are conflicting views on the proper temperature to cook an egg.

thermometer in hollandaise sauce

In previous trials, where my goal was 160° Fahrenheit, the eggs cooked too fast and the mixture curdled.  In my many trials, my hollandaise sauce never reached 160° Fahrenheit.  For this classic hollandaise sauce recipe, I have to be satisfied with a lower temperature for my eggs.

How to Fix Broken/Split/Curdled Hollandaise Sauce

steps to fix split or curdled hollandaise sauce

Sometimes your hollandaise sauce will break or split or curdle.  These terms all are the same thing.  The thick creamy sauce you have been whisking suddenly splits apart and resembles cottage cheese.  It is no longer smooth.  This happens when the sauce gets too hot, or has been cooking too long at a higher temperature.  Fortunately, there is a remedy for this problem.

STEP 1: Remove the pan from the heat.

STEP 2: Pour in 1 to 3 teaspoons and up to 2 tablespoons of warm water.

STEP 3: Whisk water into the sauce.  The sauce will begin to thicken again.  Place pan over low heat and continue to whisk until thick.

This method has worked well for me.  However, for extreme cases it may be necessary to whisk another egg and water over low heat in a separate pan until thick and then slowly mix the new sauce with the old sauce.

How to Store Hollandaise Sauce

This hollandaise sauce recipe can be frozen.  To reheat, reheat in a bowl over barely simmering water.  Whisk as it warms.  Do not overheat or it will curdle.

Please note: hollandaise sauce cannot be refrigerated and then reheated.  The butter and eggs will separate creating an oily mess.

I created a healthy hollandaise sauce recipe that has half the butter, was more stable, reached over 160° Fahrenheit and could be refrigerated and then reheated.  It isn’t the classic version, but it is the one I use most often.  Check it out.


Yield: approximately 1 cup

Classic Hollandaise Sauce with Double Boiler

hollandaise sauce dripping off a spoon

Make smooth and creamy hollandaise sauce with balanced flavors of butter and egg and just a hint of lemon.  Use a double boiler to control the heat.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 fresh egg yolks
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 2 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1/2 cup clarified butter, warmed (us in liquid form)
  • 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/8 tsp white pepper (or to taste)
  • pinch (1/16 tsp) cayenne pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. BRING eggs to room temperature.
  2. HEAT water to a simmer in a double boiler. Or use a sauce pan with a glass or silicone bowl over the water.
  3. CRACK the eggs and separate the egg yolk from the whites. Save the whites for another recipe.
  4. WHISK egg yolks, water and lemon juice together in top of the double boiler. Mixture will be frothy.
  5. CONTINUE to whisk for 5 to 10 minutes until the yolk mixture thickens.
  6. DRIZZLE warm liquid clarified butter into the yolk mixture slowly as you continue to whisk. This will take 3 to 5 minutes.
  7. STIR in salt, white pepper and cayenne pepper.
  8. TASTE and adjust seasoning as needed.
  9. SERVE immediately or freeze in a zip top freezer bag.

Note: This hollandaise sauce recipe will not reheat after refrigeration. It must either be eaten right away or frozen. To keep it warm for a short time before serving, place in a warming pan with a lid. Or pre-warm a thermos with hot water. Dump the water out and pour hollandaise sauce inside. Place lid on thermos to keep warm.

Notes

All images and content are © TheTastyTip.com. If you want to use this recipe and techniques, please take your own photos, write your own description, and link back to this page. Thank you.

© Tami Mack @ The Tasty Tip
Cuisine: Sauces / Category: Cooking Tips

References


Leave a Comment

« How to Make Clarified Butter and Why Great Cooks Always Do
How I Broke My Container and Vitamix Customer Service Sent a New One FREE »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE TO WEEKLY EMAIL.

Let’s Be Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Popular Posts

Easy Vegetable Soup with Ground BeefEasy Vegetable Soup with Ground Beef
Can You Make Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar? Oh Yes!Can You Make Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar? Oh Yes!
Favorite Turkey Soup in 30 Minutes with Leftover Turkey and Fresh Seasonal HerbsFavorite Turkey Soup in 30 Minutes with Leftover Turkey and Fresh Seasonal Herbs
How to Cook Brown Rice on the Stove: Get Perfect Grains Every TimeHow to Cook Brown Rice on the Stove: Get Perfect Grains Every Time
Healthy Strawberry Smoothie Recipe in 5 MinutesHealthy Strawberry Smoothie Recipe in 5 Minutes
How to Make Green Chili Sour Cream Sauce With Real IngredientsHow to Make Green Chili Sour Cream Sauce With Real Ingredients
How to Cook Black Beans: Best Cooking Techniques for 2021How to Cook Black Beans: Best Cooking Techniques for 2021

thetastytip

thetastytip
Roast some red bell peppers and make hummus, soups Roast some red bell peppers and make hummus, soups, or sauces. Roasting is the best way to get that sweet smoky flavor from the pepper. Once you roast your own peppers you’ll be hooked. Forget those jars in the store. Best of all if you roast a bunch at one time, you can freeze the leftovers for up to 6 months.  

Get the recipe -----> https://thetastytip.com/how-to-roast-red-peppers/

#roastedpeppers #roastedredpeppers #peppers #healthyfood #thetastytip
Need a quick effortless crowd pleasing potluck rec Need a quick effortless crowd pleasing potluck recipe for the upcoming holidays? Vintage 1950s ambrosia salad is the one salad that is perfect for every party. It is made with mostly canned fruit, plus marshmallows, coconut, and nuts (or not) in a creamy dressing of whipped cream and sour cream.  

This is the recipe you grew up eating at every family get-together. It is always popular and you never bring any leftovers home.

Check out the recipe at ----> https://thetastytip.com/classic-1950s-ambrosia-salad-recipe-for-a-crowd/

#holidays #potluck #ambrosiasalad #foodgawker #ambrosia #weeknightdinner #comfortfood #eeeeats #instayum #recipe #onthetable #eatingfortheinsta #salad #dessertsalad #christmas #partyfood #thetastytip
A good friendship fizzled out after a dinner party A good friendship fizzled out after a dinner party where I served dry, overcooked chicken. It was embarrassing and I decided to never again let poorly cooked food ruin a friendship. I had to learn how to cook chicken breast on the stove without overcooking and drying it out. I researched, experimented and with a lot of trial and error, I figured it out. Check out what I learned.

Get the recipe ----->
 https://thetastytip.com/how-to-cook-chicken-breast-on-the-stove-so-it-doesnt-dry-out/

#dinner #dinnerideas #grilledchicken #grilledchickenbreast  #recipes #homecookingisthebest #instayum #chicken #chickenrecipes #onthetable #buzzfeast #foodblogfeed #thetastytip
Ready for a new flavor of hummus?  We eat hummus Ready for a new flavor of hummus?  We eat hummus every week, so I had to switch it up.  Roasted some red bell peppers and cooked chickpeas from scratch to make this roasted red pepper hummus. 
It tastes slightly sweet, smoky, and bright, with a hint of bitter tahini.  Ready in 10 minutes with a high powered blender.

Get the recipe ---> https://thetastytip.com/easy-roasted-red-pepper-hummus-recipe/

#redpeppers #roastedredpeppers #hummus #healthysnacks #partyfood #partyfoodideas #vegan #thetastytip #healthyrecipe#foodgawker#fridgg#eeeeeats#instayum#recipe#eatingfortheinsta#homecookingisthebest#realfood
Ready for some really tasty split pea soup that is Ready for some really tasty split pea soup that is easy to make?  Use the crock pot for a quick and easy dinner.  Soak the split peas overnight for quicker cooking time (4 hours instead of 8)! Split pea soup has split peas, ham, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, and dried herbs in a vegetable broth.  Partially puree the soup for a smoother texture.

Get the recipe ----> https://thetastytip.com/easy-crock-pot-split-pea-soup-with-ham/

#soup#souprecipe#healthyrecipe#weeknightdinner#comfortfood#dinnerideas#easydinner#foodgawker#fridgg#eeeeeats#instayum#recipe#dinnerrecipe#onthetable#eatingfortheinsta#splitpeas#splitpeasoup #crockpot #slowcooker#homecookingisthebest#realfood#thetastytip
Looking for an easy recipe with quick prep and han Looking for an easy recipe with quick prep and hands-free cooking?  Slow cooker taco soup with ground beef is your answer.  This soup features ground beef, 3 types of chiles, 2 types of beans, tomatoes, corn, and fresh herbs and spices.  Garnish with taco toppings like tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

Get the full recipe ------> https://thetastytip.com/best-slow-cooker-taco-soup-with-ground-beef/

#soup #souprecipe #healthyrecipes #weeknightdinner #comfortfood #fallrecipes #dinner #dinnerideas #easydinner #foodgawker #fridgg #eeeeeats #instayum #bonappetit #buzzfeedfood #buzzfeast #realfoods #onthetable #groundbeef #texmex #groundbeefrecipes #homecookingisthebest #thetastytip
Soup season is here! Combine tender vegetables and Soup season is here! Combine tender vegetables and savory ground beef in a flavorful broth to get a mouthwatering vegetable soup with ground beef. 
Ready in under an hour if you peel and chop all the veggies yourself. Even quicker if you use frozen veggies.

Get the recipe ----> https://thetastytip.com/easy-vegetable-soup-with-ground-beef/

#soup #souprecipe #healthyrecipe #weeknightdinner #comfortfood #dinnerideas #easydinner #foodgawker #fridgg #eeeeeats #instayum #recipe #dinnerrecipe #onthetable #eatingfortheinsta #groundbeef #groundbeefrecipes #homecookingisthebest #realfood #thetastytip
Looking for a summertime healthy breakfast? Try t Looking for a summertime healthy breakfast?  Try this smooth, creamy strawberry smoothie.  Whips up in only 5 minutes.  Try it with almond milk if you are vegan.

Get the recipe at ---> https://thetastytip.com/strawberry-smoothie/ 
#healthyfood #breakfast #cleaneating #healthyeating #smoothies #summerfood #thetastytip #vegan
If you love bacon, but don't like a greasy mess, t If you love bacon, but don't like a greasy mess, try cooking bacon in the oven for an easier, cleaner time. Its the only way I cook bacon anymore.  Make it either crisp or chewy depending on whether you use a rack in the pan or not. Then use it on a Cobb Salad - my favorite.

Get the info ----> https://thetastytip.com/how-to-cook-bacon-in-the-oven/

#bacon #cooking #recipes #instayum #buzzfeast #thetastytip
Need a full-meal salad? A hearty Cobb Salad is jus Need a full-meal salad? A hearty Cobb Salad is just what you are looking for. Mixed greens, veggies, chicken, hard boiled eggs, bacon, roquefort cheese, and a fresh vinaigrette make the best dinner. Make the  chicken, bacon, and hard boiled eggs ahead for quick assembly.

Get the recipe ------> https://thetastytip.com/cobb-salad-recipe/

#dinner #dinnerideas #cobbsalad #salad #recipes  #saladrecipe #chickencobbsalad #homecookingisthebest #instayum #roquefort #chicken #chickenrecipes #onthetable #buzzfeast #foodblogfeed #thetastytip
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · The Tasty Tip, LLC

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.