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Salmon Benedict is one of my favorite variations on an excellent theme. It’s super-special, yet truly quick and easy to make. Here’s how to do it.
Why we love this recipe
Salmon Benedict is a super-savory twist on the classic that’s actually even easier to make. Smoked salmon easily elevates so many recipes, from a bagel to a BLT, and Benedict is no exception. This recipe:
- Makes a beautiful, impressive centerpiece for a small brunch party, especially over the holidays
- But hey, is ready in about 20 minutes, in case you feel like having it for breakfast today
- Makes use of the easiest, most foolproof method for perfect Hollandaise sauce
- Can easily be scaled to serve any size crowd
What you’ll need
Here’s a glance at the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe.
- You can use any eggs you like, but sourcing good ones makes all the difference in such a simple recipe. Nothing beats the gorgeous golden yolk of a fresh egg from a well-treated hen. I’ve devoted a whole section to helping you parse the details.
- You can use your favorite variety of smoked salmon or gravlax — whatever makes you happy. The vibrant variety pictured here is smoked wild sockeye.
- Immersion blender Hollandaise sauce takes the guesswork out of the process. You’ll never turn back — I promise.
- Not pictured: a couple of tablespoons of distilled white vinegar in the poaching water help the proteins in the egg whites to set beautifully while the yolks stay soft.
Sourcing eggs
The least-complicated (though often not the most convenient) way to source great eggs is to buy from local farmers whom you know and trust, either directly from the farm or at a farmers’ market or small grocery store.
If you’re shopping at a U.S. supermarket, things can get a little more complicated. Here’s a quick guide to the terminology that will and won’t help you choose the best eggs you can afford.
Words that mean something
- Organic
- Pastured (best) or free-range
- USDA A or AA
- Certified Humane or Animal Welfare Approved seals
Words that don’t mean anything
- Natural (anything can be called natural)
- Vegetarian-fed (chickens are natural omnivores)
- No added hormones (this is required by the government)
- Antibiotic-free (chickens are rarely medicated with antibiotics)
How to make it
Here’s an overview of what you’ll do to make salmon Benedict. You can see the steps in action in the video that accompanies this post, and get all the details in the recipe card below.
- Toast and butter the English muffins. Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to a boil, reduce to a bare simmer, and add the vinegar.
- Carefully slide in each egg and poach for four minutes.
- Drape a piece of smoked salmon on top of each muffin half and top with an egg.
- Top with plenty of Hollandaise, snipped chives, and pepper, and serve. That’s it!
Expert tips and FAQs
This recipe is quick to make and at its best right off the stovetop, so I don’t recommend making it in advance.
That said, you may be surprised to learn that you can make poached eggs a day in advance, store them submerged in cold water in the fridge and simply reheat in a pan of barely simmering water for about a minute right before serving. Restaurants sometimes use this technique, and if you’re cooking for a large crowd, it’s a good one to keep in your back pocket.
Hollandaise will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours. Reheat gently so the sauce doesn’t break.
More favorite Eggs Benedict variations
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Salmon Benedict
Ingredients
- 4 English muffins
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter
- 8 ounces (227 grams) smoked salmon
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) distilled white vinegar
- 8 eggs
- 1 batch immersion blender Hollandaise sauce
- Snipped chives, to garnish
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Split the English muffins and toast to your liking. (Lightly toasted, gently crisp on the outside and tender inside if you're looking for a recommendation.) Divide among 4 plates.
- Butter each muffin half while still hot and drape a slice of smoked salmon on top.
- To poach the eggs, fill a wide sauté pan halfway with water. (A pan like this is ideal.) Add vinegar and bring water to a brisk simmer, then reduce heat so the water is virtually still.
- Crack each egg into a small bowl and tip carefully into the water, submerging the bowl a bit as you pour. I like to add the eggs in a clockwise circle starting near the handle so I remember in which order to remove them for even cooking.
- Cook undisturbed for four minutes, until whites are set and yolks are runny.
- Remove eggs from pan with a strainer spoon (something like this). Gently place eggs on a paper towel-lined plate and dab the tops to remove excess water. Cut away any scraggly whites if you like.
- While the eggs poach, make the Hollandaise.
- To serve, place a poached egg over each English muffin half and spoon some Hollandaise sauce overtop.
- Garnish with plenty of snipped chives and freshly ground black pepper. Serve right away
Notes
- You can use your favorite variety of smoked salmon or gravlax — whatever makes you happy. The vibrant variety pictured here is smoked wild sockeye.
- A couple of tablespoons of distilled white vinegar in the poaching water help the proteins in the egg whites to set beautifully while the yolks stay soft.
- You can use any eggs you like, but sourcing good ones makes all the difference in such a simple recipe. Nothing beats the gorgeous golden yolk of a fresh egg from a well-treated hen. I've devoted a whole section to helping you parse the details.
- Immersion blender Hollandaise sauce takes the guesswork out of the process. You'll never turn back — I promise.
- This recipe is quick to make and at its best right off the stovetop, so I don't recommend making it in advance. That said, you may be surprised to learn that you can make poached eggs a day in advance, store them submerged in cold water in the fridge and simply reheat in a pan of barely simmering water for about a minute right before serving. Restaurants sometimes use this technique, and if you're cooking for a large crowd, it's a good one to keep in your back pocket.Hollandaise will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours. Reheat gently so the sauce doesn't break.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hungry for more?
Subscribe to Umami Girl’s email updates, and follow along on Instagram.
