More Breadcrumbs

Foolproof 2-Minute Hollandaise Recipe

The Food Lab

Unraveling the mysteries of home cooking through science.

J. Kenji López-Alt
Foolproof 2-Minute Hollandaise Recipe

[Photograph: Jessica Leibowitz]

Check here for a full video walkthrough of the process.

Read more: Video: The Food Lab's Foolproof Hollandaise in 2 Minutes

  • Yield:makes about 1 1/2 cups
  • Active time: 1 minute
  • Total time:2 minutes
  • Rated: 4.3666666666667

Ingredients

  • 1 egg yolk (about 35 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon water (about 5 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice from 1 lemon (about 5 grams)
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons, about 112 grams)
  • Pinch cayenne pepper or hot sauce (if desired)

Directions

  1. 1.

    Combine egg yolk, water, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in the bottom of a cup that barely fits the head of an immersion blender. Melt butter in a small saucepan over high heat, swirling constantly, until foaming subsides. Transfer butter to a 1 cup liquid measuring cup.

  2. 2.

    Place head of immersion blender into the bottom of the cup and turn it on. With the blender constantly running, slowly pour hot butter into cup. It should emulsify with the egg yolk and lemon juice. Continue pouring until all butter is added. Sauce should be thick and creamy. Season to taste with salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce (if desired). Serve immediately, or transfer to a small lidded pot and keep in a warm place for up to 1 hour before serving. Hollandaise cannot be cooled and reheated. Check here for a full video walkthrough of the process.

Buy the Food Lab book
This Recipe Appears In
Video: The Food Lab's Foolproof Hollandaise in 2 Minutes

This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Serious Eats. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.

Show 93 Comments