Sauces French

Hollandaise Sauce

A rich, buttery emulsion of egg yolk and lemon. Basic is a quick blender method, Better is a properly whisked classic over a bain-marie, and Ultimate builds in a reduced wine-and-shallot infusion with clarified butter.

Serves4
Time10 min
Cost / serving£0.45
Vegetarian Gluten-free Nut-free

Make it your way

Pick a tier — the ingredients, method and cost update instantly.

Budget version

Speedy blender hollandaise made with melted butter and bottled lemon.

Per serving£0.45
Total cost£1.80
Time10 min
Servings

Ingredients for 4

  • 3 egg yolks , medium
  • 150 g salted butter , melted and hot
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice , bottled is fine
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • salt , to taste

Method

  1. Melt the butter in a small pan or microwave until hot and foaming.
  2. Put the egg yolks, lemon juice and a pinch of salt into a blender or small food processor and blitz for 10 seconds.
  3. With the motor running, pour the hot butter in a slow, steady stream until the sauce is thick and glossy.
  4. Season with a pinch of cayenne and more salt to taste, then serve straight away.

The three ways, side by side

Budget
£0.45 / serving · 10 min

Speedy blender hollandaise made with melted butter and bottled lemon.

Better
£0.65 / serving · 20 min

The classic hand-whisked method over gentle heat for a silkier finish.

Ultimate
£1.05 / serving · 35 min

Classic technique with a wine-and-shallot reduction and clarified butter.