If you need an answer to the question “What can I serve with eggs Benedict?”, I got you!
Eggs Benedict is one of my favorite breakfast meals. Minus the bacon, of course.
That’s right, it can be vegetarian, served with some added fresh avocado slices and a side of roasted potatoes for a different eggs Benedict variation.
Nonetheless, making your meal complete can be tricky. So I’ll share some creative eggs Benedict serving ideas.
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What are eggs Benedict?
Eggs Benedict is an American breakfast meal made of two English muffin halves, Canadian bacon slices, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce. Hash browns or crispy bacon often accompany different variations of eggs Benedict.
Eggs Benedict may have started in late 19th-century New York City, although its actual origin is unknown.
In 1894, retired Wall Street stockbroker Lemuel Benedict ordered a variant of the meal at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City and named it after himself.
Oscar Tschirky, the hotel’s chef, liked the meal so much, he put it on the menu, where it became a hit.
What to serve with eggs Benedict for brunch?
Adding the correct side dishes can make Benedict eggs even better. These are some delicious side dishes:
- Roasted potatoes
Eggs Benedict goes nicely with these tasty, easy-to-make potatoes. Roasting gives them a crunchy outside and soft inside. Garlic, rosemary, thyme, and paprika are popular seasonings.
- Fried potatoes
Hash browns and home fries are tasty and crispy breakfast additions. They add texture to the poached egg and hollandaise sauce. Fried potatoes are a simple recipe but they’re heavy in fat and should be eaten sparingly.
Hash brown casserole took center stage in one of my earlier articles. Have a look if you want some ideas for what to eat with hash browns.
- Fruit salad
A delightful and healthful breakfast side, fruit salad adds color and flavor. Berries, melon, pineapple, and kiwi can be used. Add honey or lime juice for taste.
- Grilled asparagus
Asparagus adds flavor and nutrition to eggs Benedict. It provides crispness when grilled or roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Vitamins and minerals also make asparagus a super healthy option.
If you don’t have it on hand, I have an article covering the asparagus alternatives. Click it for more options!
- Avocado toast
Avocado toast is a popular breakfast meal. Avocado, poached egg, hollandaise sauce, and a slice of toast go nicely together.
- French toast
Eggs Benedict with French toast is a classic brunch combination. You can use whatever kind of bread you choose and sprinkle your slice of toast with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Bacon or sausage
Sausage or strips of bacon go great with eggs Benedict. The salty pork provides protein and compliments the creamy hollandaise sauce.
I don’t eat meat so I often substitute slices of bacon with store-bought vegan bacon and seitan.
- Grilled tomatoes
Tomatoes’ acidity and freshness match hollandaise sauce’s richness. Before grilling, cut tomatoes in half, spritz olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Fried green tomatoes are a great summer side. If you can’t find them, check out these green tomato alternatives for similar flavors.
- Toasted bagel
In eggs Benedict, toasted bagels can replace English muffins. The chewy bagel offers a distinct flavor and can be topped with cream cheese or smoked salmon. To vary your lunch, try sesame or everything bagels.
- Sauteed spinach
This healthy and simple side dish goes great with eggs Benedict. Spinach adds iron and other nutrients to your breakfast.
Sauté spinach in a skillet with oil or butter until wilted. You can season it with garlic and red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
You can also consider serving these fresh spinach substitutes alongside Benedict eggs for your next brunch dish.
Eggs Benedict FAQs
Eggs Benedict is usually served during breakfast. Nonetheless, its taste makes it ideal for any time of day.
Eggs Benedict can be a healthy breakfast depending on the ingredients used. Incorporate vitamins and minerals with grilled asparagus, tomatoes, or spinach. Substitute Greek yogurt or hummus for hollandaise sauce to make it healthier.
Yes, homemade hollandaise sauce is easy to make. You’ll need some egg yolks, melted butter, and fresh lemon juice. You can season it with a pinch of salt and pepper (cayenne pepper or white pepper).
Hollandaise sauce should be served warm when eating eggs Benedict. The creamy sauce should be heated up before being poured over the poached egg and English muffin.
Poaching water is often used when making eggs Benedict. White wine vinegar or rice vinegar is added to boiling water before adding the eggs to hold them together.
Yes, eggs benedict should have a runny yolk. The egg yolks should be cooked just enough to keep their form so that the rich, creamy yolk spills over the English muffin when sliced.
BOTTOM LINE: As you can see, the eggs Benedict brunch menu has many pairings. There’s a side dish for every occasion, from light and refreshing to robust and full. So try different combinations till you discover your taste. Brunch on!
I hope you’ve found the perfect side to make this delicious breakfast dish even better!
If you need more inspiration, check out my post on amazing side dishes for baked brie, what to pair with empanadas, or my favorite dishes to serve with egg rolls!