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    Home > Recipes > Breakfast and Brunch

    Eggs Benedict with Asparagus

    Published: Apr 20, 2017 · Modified: Aug 2, 2023 by Shareba · This post contains affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

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    Graphic of eggs and asparagus on toast with the title "Eggs Benedict with asparagus."

    Learn how to make eggs Benedict at home with an easier method for homemade hollandaise sauce.

    My recipe puts a fresh twist on the classic dish by adding tender-crisp asparagus.

    Eggs Benedict with asparagus on buttered toast.

    Eggs Benedict has always been one of those dishes that I thought was too fussy to make at home.

    It was a special treat that I reserved for fancy brunches at restaurants, and I didn't think I'd be able to make it properly at home.

    When you break the dish down though, it's really not that complicated: a toasted and buttered English muffin, a slice of ham or Canadian bacon, a poached egg, and a generous spoonful of hollandaise sauce.

    If you skip making the hollandaise from scratch, the hardest part of this recipe will be poaching the eggs. Which isn't that hard once you know what you're doing!

    Jump to:
    • 🤦🏽 Challenges with Making Eggs Benedict
    • 🥚 Learning How to Poach Eggs
    • 🥣 Making the Hollandaise Sauce
    • 📖 Recipe Variations
    • 🍳 Special Equipment
    • 🙋🏽 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🖨 Printable Recipe

    When it comes to breakfast, I usually go for something simple: oatmeal, a yogurt parfait, cereal, or a smoothie.

    But once in a while, it's nice to treat myself to something a bit fancier on the weekend. My mom likes to make pancakes but my special brunch dish is eggs Benedict.

    I decided to change up the recipe a bit by adding some fresh asparagus instead of ham or bacon. It's a great way to sneak in some veggies and helps to offset the richness of the hollandaise sauce, too.

    Tip: If you like asparagus on toast, check out my smoked salmon canapé recipe!)

    Eggs in a blue carton next to a bunch of asparagus in a pitcher and a plate with toast.

    🤦🏽 Challenges with Making Eggs Benedict

    My biggest stumbling blocks with this recipe were the poached eggs and the hollandaise sauce because I had never made either of those things before.

    I know, I know, I'm in my 30's and I've never poached an egg? What??

    Honestly, I don't really like poached eggs so I've never felt the need to make them. While I do enjoy runny yolks, I'd rather have a fried egg with crispy edges than a soft poached egg.

    I wanted to make my eggs Benedict with the proper eggs though, so I decided to learn how to poach them.

    I wish I had videotaped my attempts at poaching the egg because I'm sure it would have been hilarious to watch. What a disaster!

    🥚 Learning How to Poach Eggs

    A plate with four different poached eggs all cooked with different methods.

    Initially, I followed Bon Appetit's instructions on How to Make Stress-Free Poached Eggs.

    Their first instruction is to crack the egg into a fine-mesh sieve, and allow the watery parts of the white to drain out. I managed to tear the yolk on the sieve twice.

    Then, you're supposed to make a "gentle vortex", slide the eggs in, and continue to stir so the whites wrap around the yolk. Again, my yolks tore and I ended up with a big mess.

    It's possible that I'm just really aggressive when I'm cooking, but this method just did not work for me at all.

    I also (eventually) realized that pouring the egg in from a height causes the whites to explode upon contact with the water, which separates it from the yolk.

    Boiling the water (instead of simmering) has a similar effect. You can see some of my failures above.

    A poached egg sitting on asparagus spears on a piece of toast on a white plate.

    I eventually found Jamie Oliver's method for poaching eggs and learned how to do it properly. After doing some quick internet research, his way seems to be the common way to do it.

    The most important thing to know when it comes to poaching eggs is that fresh eggs work best, and being gentle with them is key to making them look nice.

    Using a small bowl to gently plop the eggs into the water eliminates the chance of them breaking on impact.

    Also, make sure the water is gently simmering - not boiling. The bubbles of a rolling boil can break the egg.

    Lastly, using a slotted spoon makes it easy to remove the poached eggs from the water.

    TIP: If your eggs aren't that fresh, you can try spinning the water with a spoon BEFORE adding the eggs and then gently tip the eggs in. The circular movement of the water can help shape the eggs, without you having to worry about breaking them with your spoon.

    Poached Egg Substitution:

    If you don't enjoy the texture of poached eggs, or don't want to go through the trouble of making them, try topping your eggs Benedict with a fried egg instead!

    You can still enjoy that runny yolk, but with arguably tastier whites.

    🥣 Making the Hollandaise Sauce

    A white plate with Eggs Benedict on toast with pan-fried asparagus.

    The hollandaise sauce actually wasn't that difficult to make, but it is time-consuming and you have to pay attention to what you're doing.

    I adapted the hollandaise sauce recipe from Martha Stewart's Cooking School cookbook, and my version has less butter so it's not as rich.

    What I like about the Martha Stewart recipe, compared to more classic recipes, is that she uses room temperature butter. This makes it easier to emulsify the sauce and it's less likely to split.

    While most people associate hollandaise sauce with eggs Benedict, you can actually enjoy this creamy rich sauce on vegetables and fish as well.

    Tips for Successfully Making Hollandaise Sauce:

    • Add just enough water to the pot to create steam, don't fill it to the top.
    • Whisk your eggs in a ceramic, stainless steel, or heatproof glass bowl.
    • Don't let the bottom of the bowl touch the water or the eggs will scramble.
    • Make sure the water is barely simmering, not boiling, so the eggs cook gently.
    • Whisk the eggs constantly so they can thicken.
    • Add the room temperature butter in bit by bit, not all at once.

    Hint: Pour your freshly made hollandaise sauce into a thermos so it stays warm while you pan-fry your asparagus, toast your bread etc.

    Hollandaise Sauce Substitutions:

    If you'd rather not make hollandaise from scratch, don't. Most of the time I don't feel like making it either. Sometimes you just want to eat and not go through all the fuss!

    You can make a package of instant hollandaise sauce or buy a jar of ready-to-serve sauce instead. I find the jarred stuff is usually a bit nicer, but it's totally a personal preference.

    📖 Recipe Variations

    • Make It Classic: swap out the hot buttered toast for a classic toasted and buttered English muffin.
    • Swap Your Veggies: turn your eggs Benedict into eggs Florentine by switching the pan-fried asparagus to sautéed spinach.
    • Make It Meaty: add ham, pea-meal bacon or regular bacon
    • Spice it Up: top your hollandaise with a sprinkle of paprika or cayenne pepper for a little heat.
    • Treat Yourself: top your Benedicts with cooked lump crab meat for an extra special brunch!

    🍳 Special Equipment

    Technically, this recipe requires you to use a double boiler. The pot on the bottom holds the water that will create steam to cook the hollandaise in the pot (or bowl) above it.

    While a double boiler is nice to have, you don't need to run out to buy one to make this recipe. You can simply place a heat-safe bowl (usually ceramic, stainless steel or tempered glass) over a pot of simmering water.

    You can read more about how to make a double boiler here.

    Shortcut: If you hate making poached eggs, you might enjoy an egg poacher pan! I just bought one and I love it.

    🙋🏽 Frequently Asked Questions

    What is eggs Benedict sauce made of?

    The commonly used sauce on eggs Benedict is hollandaise sauce - a rich and creamy sauce made from emulsified egg yolks, butter and lemon juice.

    Do I need to poach my eggs with vinegar?

    No. While adding vinegar to the water can help to firm up the egg, it's not absolutely necessary to use. I haven't found that it makes a big difference to the finished product, but it does add a slight vinegar flavour to my eggs, which I dislike.

    🖨 Printable Recipe

    Eggs Benedict with asparagus on toast.

    Eggs Benedict with Asparagus

    Fresh asparagus puts a springtime twist on this classic brunch dish.
    5 from 5 votes
    Created By: Shareba
    PREP TIME: 15 minutes mins
    COOK TIME: 20 minutes mins
    TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes mins
    SERVINGS: 4 servings
    PRINT RECIPE SAVE RECIPESaved! RATE RECIPE
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    Ingredients

    • ½ teaspoon oil, for cooking
    • 12 asparagus spears, trimmed, cut in half
    • 4 slices bread, toasted

    Hollandaise Sauce:

    • 3 large egg yolks
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1 tablespoon pieces
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Poached Eggs:

    • 4 fresh eggs

    Instructions 

    Cook the Asparagus:

    • Add oil to a small skillet or non-stick pan and place over medium-high heat.  
    • Pan-fry the asparagus for about 5-10 minutes, or until browned and tender-crisp. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from heat. Set aside for later.

    Make the Hollandaise Sauce: 

    • Fill a medium saucepan with a few inches of water and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
    • Meanwhile, add egg yolks to a heatproof bowl (on the counter) and whisk until they become pale in colour. 
    • Place the bowl with the yolks on top of the saucepan, making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the simmering water.
    • Whisk the yolks constantly but gently. Cook the yolks until they have thickened, which takes about 3 minutes.
    • Add 1 tablespoon of butter at a time, whisking constantly. Make sure that each tablespoon is incorporated completely before adding the next. 
    • Once all the butter has been added, season the sauce with lemon juice and salt. Your Hollandaise should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, but not stiff. If it is too thick, thin it with a little water.
    • The sauce is best if used immediately, however, it can sit for about an hour in a Thermos, if needed.

    Poach The Eggs: 

    • In a large saucepan, heat water over medium heat until gently simmering.
    • Crack each egg, one at a time, into a small bowl, Gently slide each egg into the simmering water. Make sure to tip the eggs in close to the surface of the water – not from a height.
    • Cook the eggs until whites are set and yolks are still soft - about 3 minutes. Then remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and place on a plate.

    Assemble the Eggs Benedict:

    • Butter the slices of toast and arrange 3 asparagus spears on each piece. Carefully place one egg on each piece of toast, and top with a generous spoonful of the hollandaise sauce. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately. 

    Notes

    • You can pan-fry, steam, or blanch the asparagus for this recipe. You can also omit the asparagus if you want to. 
    • If your eggs are not very fresh, use a large slotted spoon to quickly stir the water before adding the eggs. The spinning water can help wrap the whites around the yolks, resulting in a prettier poached egg. 
    • Leftover hollandaise sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the sauce over low heat, with a little bit of water and melted butter whisked in.
    • You can make this eggs Benedict recipe with store-bought hollandaise sauce to save time. 

    Please read the blog post for detailed tips and explanations.

    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Calories: 401 kcal

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 370mg | Sodium: 496mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1505IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer: this nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed.

    Have you made this recipe?Please leave a review in the comments below!

    This recipe was originally published on April 28, 2017. Since then, it has been updated and republished.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Deb

      August 10, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      Hi Shareba! Eggs benny is my fave brunch dish and I heart hollandaise sauce very much. Tis all! 🙂

      Reply
      • Shareba

        August 10, 2017 at 4:18 pm

        Haha, thanks for stopping by Deb!

        Reply
    2. Markus Mueller | Earth, Food, and Fire

      May 01, 2017 at 7:46 pm

      Good looking dish! I can attest that hollandaise and poached eggs is not the first thing a breakfast cooks masters, but it's important to learn none the less. You can find a detailed diy guide on hollandaise on my blog Earth, Food, and Fire. As for the poached eggs, I have never heard of stirring the water, I was always taught that as long as the water is just below simmering (something like 81C with small bubbles gently rising from the bottom of the pot) it should be hot enough to set the whites as soon as they hit the water. Again don't splash them in, gently crack the egg in from just above the surface, or slide in from a small bowl. Most restaurants I've worked in will also add a splash of white vinegar to the water, which helps keep the egg white from breaking apart as they poach.
      Great job though! I really liked the picture of the different success (and failures)!

      Reply
      • Shareba

        May 02, 2017 at 12:28 am

        Thanks for the tip Markus! The stirring tip is supposed to help eggs that aren't quite fresh enough to wrap around and set nicely. Although, I have managed to mangle a few eggs that way because I was stirring too fast. I'll have to check out your Hollandaise guide!

        Reply
    3. Vicky Chin

      April 28, 2017 at 4:42 pm

      Your pouched egg looks perfect ! Love how you put your "not so successful" ones together, makes a very nice and clear illustration ! Thanks for sharing !

      Reply
    4. Marie

      April 28, 2017 at 2:41 pm

      Nice! I was thinking about making this yesterday! Hihi! Must be a sign !

      Reply
      • Shareba

        April 28, 2017 at 2:44 pm

        I think it must be a popular dish for spring!

        Reply
    5. Amanda (Peppers & Pennies)

      April 28, 2017 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      Ah! This is perfect. I remember my first time poaching eggs... after that I spent a rainy Saturday attempting different methods and seeing what went wrong. I love how you added the photos of your failures so you can compare the different elements that may or may not work for you.

      I also, personally, adore Martha and always have. She shares great foundational knowledge with a focus on technique. What ever is wrong with that?

      Reply
      • Shareba

        April 28, 2017 at 2:37 pm

        Thanks Amanda! I definitely need to keep practicing to get them right every time. I feel like Martha has become the Nickelback of the lifestyle world. No one wants to admit that they enjoy her work!

        Reply
    6. Nicoletta

      April 28, 2017 at 2:19 pm

      That is so funny because we just made an eggs Benny recipe for a sponsored post and we made our own Hollandaise sauce as well (Jamie Oliver's recipe ????). You did a great job with poaching the eggs, if it wasn't for Loreto I wouldn't know how to do. Never needed to poach an egg in my life in Italy where eggs benedicts are not in the picture ????. Love love the asparagus in place of the ham!

      Reply
      • Shareba

        April 28, 2017 at 2:28 pm

        Thanks! They were so much harder to poach than I thought they would be!

        Reply

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