What are Popular Eggs Benedict Variations?

There are many popular variations of eggs benedict around the world that substitute ingredients but follow a similar structure. One example is eggs royale, in which the Canadian bacon is replaced with pink smoked salmon that compliments the hollandaise sauce. Another is eggs neptune, which substitutes the Canadian bacon with a mound of fresh crab meat upon which the poached egg sits. Finally, there is eggs florentine, which adds a pop of color to the dish with the addition of spinach.

Can You Substitute Hollandaise Sauce?

As noted with eggs florentine, it is possible to substitute hollandaise sauce in eggs benedict—often to create an entirely new dish. Some possible substitutions are gruyère mornay, béarnaise and even avocado. However, when eating a traditional eggs benedict, there is no replacing the rich and silky hollandaise sauce.

Eggs being cracked into a pan on the stove along with other items on the cooktop

How to make eggs Benedict

A versatile dish for breakfast or brunch, eggs Benedict is a dish traditionally consisting of English muffins, poached eggs, Canadian bacon and hollandaise sauce. However, there are many variations of this meal, from crab cake Benedict to eggs sardou to vegetarian eggs Florentine. With tools like a KitchenAid^® cooktop and blender, you will be able to make this classic egg dish and many of its iterations. Read more to learn how to make eggs Benedict.

What is eggs Benedict?

The traditional eggs Benedict dish is commonly thought to have originated in New York City and has since become popular around the world. Key ingredients in eggs Benedict are poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, but versions of this rich dish swap out everything from the English muffin to the Canadian bacon. Whether you’re eating a classic version, or one of its many variations, homemade eggs Benedict can elevate your breakfast.

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Eggs Benedict recipe

Though the end result appears complex, eggs Benedict is easy to make when broken into manageable steps. You start by creating the hollandaise sauce. While that is simmering, poach your eggs and cook your bacon or other ingredients you’ve chosen to complement your dish. After toasting your English muffins, all that’s left is to plate your meal. Learn the basics of eggs Benedict so you can begin creating your own unique versions of this brunch centerpiece.

Yields

4 servings

Ingredients

English muffins
Canadian bacon
Eggs
White vinegar
Unsalted butter
Lemon juice
Kosher salt

Tools

KitchenAid^® cooktop
KitchenAid^® blender
Saucepan
Skillet
Slotted spoon
Small mixing bowl

Prep time

15 minutes

Cook time

10 minutes

Total time

25 minutes

Step 1: Make hollandaise sauce

Begin by melting butter on your cooktop on medium-low heat. Next, place egg yolks, lemon juice and salt into the blender. Blend until smooth, then pour in warm melted butter. Increase speed, blending until the sauce is thickened and warmed. To keep warm, transfer the sauce to a pan on the cooktop and let it simmer gently. The sauce can easily be broken if heated too quickly, so if you’re using a KitchenAid^® cooktop, consider using its low BTU burners for this step.

Step 2: Poach eggs

Poaching an egg can be easy. Fill a saucepan on your cooktop burner with four inches of cold water, salt and a few tablespoons of vinegar. Bring the water to a boil, then immediately turn it down to the lowest simmer. Gently crack the eggs and pour them into the pot, cover the top and turn off the burner. In three minutes, remove the eggs from the water carefully, using a slotted spoon.

Step 3: Fry Canadian bacon

Drizzle a small amount of oil into a skillet. Place the skillet on your cooktop and lay your Canadian bacon inside. Fry until both sides are evenly browned. Note that, if you are making an eggs Benedict variation, this step and its timing may vary.

Step 4: Toast English muffins

Place English muffins in your toaster on a medium setting. When they are done toasting, transfer them to a dish for plating.

Step 5: Assemble and plate the eggs Benedict

Now, all that’s left is to assemble your eggs Benedict. Place the Canadian bacon on top of your toasted English muffins, then layer your poached eggs on top of them. Finish by taking your hollandaise sauce and drizzling it over your creation.

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Eggs Benedict FAQs

Despite the popularity of eggs Benedict, many home chefs have never cooked the dish. Keep reading for answers to some common questions about eggs Benedict.

There are many popular variations of eggs Benedict around the world that substitute ingredients but follow a similar structure. One example is eggs royale, in which the Canadian bacon is replaced with pink smoked salmon that complements the hollandaise sauce. Another is eggs neptune, which substitutes the Canadian bacon with a mound of fresh crab meat upon which the poached egg sits. Finally, there is eggs Florentine, which adds a pop of color to the dish with the addition of spinach.

What is the difference between eggs Florentine and eggs Benedict?

The difference between eggs Florentine and eggs Benedict is a matter of swapping out the Canadian bacon for spinach, making the dish à la Florentine. Although some eggs Florentine recipes still call for hollandaise sauce, many forgo the hollandaise in favor of Gruyère Mornay, a French cheese sauce.

It is possible to substitute hollandaise sauce in eggs Benedict—often to create an entirely new dish. Some possible substitutions for hollandaise sauce are Gruyère Mornay, béarnaise or even just some sliced avocado on the side. However, when eating a traditional eggs Benedict, there is no replacing the rich and silky hollandaise sauce.

If you do not have Canadian bacon on hand while making a traditional eggs Benedict, an ideal substitute is regular ham, which provides the most similar flavor. Other possibilities include bacon, prosciutto and lobster or crab.

As the foundation of your eggs Benedict, the possibilities are endless for what you can substitute for your English muffin. For an inventive approach to eggs Benedict, try making potato pancakes or zucchini herb fritters the base of your dish. And if you would prefer another kind of bread for your eggs Benedict, try making butter biscuits, corn cakes or even using a thicker bread like sourdough or a ciabatta roll.