Eggs Florentine Benedict is the kind of brunch recipe that looks like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen but is completely doable at home on a regular weekend. I made this for the first time on a slow Sunday morning and could not believe how polished it felt with so little effort. The combination of silky hollandaise, garlicky spinach, and a perfectly poached egg is genuinely hard to beat.
I still remember standing over my stove the first time I tried poaching eggs, convinced everything was going to fall apart in the water. The hollandaise had me even more nervous. But once I discovered that a blender handles the whole sauce in under two minutes, the entire dish clicked into place. This Eggs Florentine Benedict recipe is one of those brunch classics that feels indulgent without keeping you in the kitchen all morning. The creamy sauce, tender wilted spinach, and that runny golden yolk all come together in a way that makes it worth making again and again.
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Everything You Need to Make Eggs Florentine Benedict
I always keep these ingredients simple and fresh because this dish is really about quality over quantity. Pro tip: the fresher your eggs, the cleaner and more compact your poached eggs will be. Here is everything you need to bring this classic Florentine Benedict together at home.
For the Benedict:
- 4 English muffins
- Unsalted butter, to taste (for toasting)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 9 oz fresh spinach (I prefer baby spinach for its tender texture and milder flavor)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 8 large eggs (use the freshest eggs possible for the best poaching results)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
For the Blender Hollandaise:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from about half a lemon)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 4 large egg yolks
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped fresh chives
- Ground paprika

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Eggs Florentine Benedict at Home
I recommend reading through all the steps once before you start. Everything moves quickly once the water is simmering, so knowing the order ahead of time makes the whole process feel much smoother.
Step 1: Toast the English Muffins Butter the English muffin halves and arrange them cut-side up on a large sheet pan. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and toasted. Keep a close eye on them because they can go from perfect to burnt very quickly. Set aside once done.
Step 2: Saute the Spinach Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and a pinch of salt. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is fully wilted and bright green. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the spinach to a strainer and press it firmly with the back of a spoon to drain all excess liquid. This step is important. Wet spinach will make the muffins soggy during assembly.
Step 3: Set Up for Poaching Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. While the water heats, crack each egg into its own small bowl or ramekin. For the cleanest results, strain each egg through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl to remove the loose watery whites that cause stringy strands in the water. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat until it is barely simmering with just a few small, lazy bubbles rising to the surface. Add the white vinegar. Do not add salt because it causes the whites to spread and break apart.
Step 4: Poach the Eggs Hold each ramekin close to the surface of the water and gently slide the eggs in, 2 to 4 at a time. Do not overcrowd the pan or the water temperature will drop and the eggs will not set properly. Cover the pan and poach for about 3 minutes. The whites should be fully set with a soft, jiggly yolk inside. Use a slotted spoon to lift each egg out and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Step 5: Make the Blender Hollandaise Melt the 4 tablespoons of butter in the microwave until fully melted and very hot. Add the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, egg yolks, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a blender or food processor. Blend for about 1 minute until the mixture looks pale and smooth. With the blender still running on low, slowly drizzle in the hot melted butter in a thin, steady stream. Continue blending until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. If the sauce begins to separate, try blending on high for another 30 seconds. If it still does not come together, it is best to start fresh rather than risk serving a broken sauce.
Step 6: Assemble Place a small mound of sauteed spinach on each English muffin half. Top with one poached egg, then spoon hollandaise sauce generously over the top.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve Sprinkle with chopped fresh chives and a pinch of paprika if desired. Serve immediately while everything is warm.
What to Serve Alongside Your Eggs Florentine Benedict
The best sides for Eggs Florentine Benedict are fresh and light so they complement the richness of the hollandaise without competing with it.
Fresh Fruit Salad: A bowl of seasonal fruit with berries, melon, and citrus brings natural brightness and sweetness that cuts right through the creamy sauce. It is the easiest side you can make and it always works.
Mimosas or Fresh Orange Juice: A classic brunch pairing for a reason. The citrus is refreshing and the acidity balances the richness of the eggs and hollandaise beautifully.
Simple Arugula Salad: A lightly dressed arugula salad with lemon and olive oil adds a peppery, crisp contrast that feels intentional and elegant next to the Florentine Benedict.
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes: Slow-roasted until jammy and sweet, cherry tomatoes pair wonderfully with the garlicky spinach and make the plate look even more inviting.
More Egg and Brunch Recipes Worth Trying
If you loved this Eggs Florentine Benedict, there are plenty of other satisfying brunch and dinner ideas on the site that pair well with the same fresh, wholesome ingredients. For a heartier meal, the Spinach Greek Chicken Casserole uses similar Mediterranean-inspired flavors with spinach as the star. If you are in the mood for something Mediterranean and bright, the Greek Chicken with Lemon and Feta and the Lemon Chicken Pasta are both beautifully simple and packed with fresh flavor.
For a lighter side to round out your brunch spread, the Zesty Mediterranean Bean Salad is a fresh and colorful option that complements the richness of hollandaise perfectly. If you enjoy eggs and hearty greens in different formats, the Spaghetti Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce is another spinach-forward recipe worth bookmarking for a weeknight dinner.
How to Store and Reheat Your Eggs Florentine Benedict
This dish is best enjoyed fresh right after assembly, but the individual components store well when kept separately. Assembled Eggs Florentine Benedict can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, though the muffins will soften over time.
To reheat, warm poached eggs by placing them in gently simmering water for 30 to 60 seconds until just heated through. Reheat the hollandaise very gently over low heat, stirring constantly, or microwave it in 10-second intervals, stirring between each burst. Do not overheat or the sauce will break. Always toast a fresh muffin rather than reheating the original for the best texture.
I recommend making the individual components ahead when you are serving a crowd. Poached eggs keep in cold water in the fridge for up to 2 days. Hollandaise can be made up to 1 day ahead and reheated gently. This turns the recipe into a very quick and stress-free assembly job on brunch morning.
Eggs Florentine Benedict Questions Answered
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach?
Yes, frozen spinach works as a backup. Thaw it completely and squeeze out as much liquid as possible before sauteing. Fresh spinach gives a better color and texture, but frozen is a solid option when that is what you have on hand.
My hollandaise broke during blending. What should I do?
Try blending on high speed for another 30 seconds to see if the emulsion comes back together. If it does not, it is best to start with fresh ingredients. The most common cause is adding the melted butter too quickly, so go slow and steady with the pour next time.
Can I make this Florentine Benedict gluten-free?
Absolutely. Swap the English muffins for a gluten-free version, gluten-free toast, or even a halved avocado for a naturally keto-friendly option. All of the other components in this recipe are naturally gluten-free.
Make This Eggs Florentine Benedict This Weekend
This recipe is one of those rare brunch dishes that feels truly special but is completely approachable for any home cook. Once you get comfortable with the blender hollandaise and poaching a few eggs at a time, you will find yourself coming back to this Eggs Florentine Benedict recipe weekend after weekend. It is elegant, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. Give it a try this weekend and bring a little French-inspired magic right to your own kitchen table.
Eggs Florentine Benedict
A healthy, elegant brunch classic featuring toasted English muffins topped with garlicky sauteed spinach, perfectly poached eggs, and a silky blender hollandaise sauce made from scratch. Simple enough for home cooks, impressive enough for guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Poach, Saute, Blend, Broil
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 English muffins
- Unsalted butter, to taste (for toasting)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 9 oz fresh spinach
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 8 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for hollandaise)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1/2 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 4 large egg yolks
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh chives, optional
- Ground paprika, optional
Instructions
- Butter the English muffin halves and place cut-side up on a large sheet pan. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and toasted. Watch closely to avoid burning. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add spinach and a pinch of salt. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes until fully wilted. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more. Transfer to a strainer and press firmly to remove all excess liquid.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Crack each egg into its own small ramekin. Optionally strain each egg through a fine mesh sieve to remove loose watery whites. Reduce heat to a bare simmer with just a few small bubbles. Add white vinegar. Do not add salt.
- Hold each ramekin close to the water surface and gently slide in eggs 2 to 4 at a time. Cover and poach for about 3 minutes until whites are fully set and yolks are still soft. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Melt butter in the microwave until fully melted and hot. Add lemon juice, Dijon mustard, egg yolks, salt, and pepper to a blender. Blend for 1 minute until pale and smooth. With the blender running on low, slowly drizzle in the hot melted butter in a thin steady stream. Blend until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Place a mound of sauteed spinach on each English muffin half. Top with one poached egg and spoon hollandaise generously over the top.
- Sprinkle with chopped chives and paprika if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use the freshest eggs possible for the cleanest, most compact poached eggs. Fresh whites are thicker and spread less in the water.
- Do not add salt to the poaching water as it causes whites to spread. White vinegar helps the whites coagulate quickly around the yolk.
- If hollandaise separates, blend on high for 30 seconds. If it does not come together, start fresh. Adding butter too quickly is the most common cause.
- Always drain and press excess liquid from sauteed spinach before assembling to keep the muffins from getting soggy.
- Poached eggs can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored submerged in cold water in the fridge. Reheat in simmering water for 30 to 60 seconds before serving.
- Hollandaise can be made up to 1 day ahead. Reheat very gently over low heat or microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring between each burst. Do not overheat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 muffin halves
- Calories: 484 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 481 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 597 mg







