White Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce

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White asparagus with hollandaise sauce is a classic German dish that is enjoyed by everyone while asparagus is in season! The combination of asparagus and hollandaise sauce is pure perfection and is a total must-make if you can find white asparagus in your local grocery store or farmer’s market.

white asparagus with hollandaise sauce garnished with parsley on a plate

If you’ve been looking for a white asparagus recipe, then please do yourself a favor and try this white asparagus with hollandaise sauce! It’s how white asparagus is typically prepared and enjoyed in Germany. And it’s seriously delicious!

For quite some time I wasn’t sure why everybody was so crazy for asparagus season (or „Spargelzeit“) in Germany. But once I tried this dish, I totally got it. The flavors in this white asparagus recipe are a total match made in heaven.

So now I look forward to every single asparagus season. And I always make sure to eat plenty of white asparagus.

The great thing is that white asparagus with hollandaise sauce is super easy to prepare! You really don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to bring this fantastic German white asparagus dish to the table.

Ingredients

To make this white asparagus with hollandaise sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients.

White asparagus: If you want to try this recipe, you should definitely buy fresh white asparagus. I know that it can be harder to find it in the US. If you can’t find it in your local grocery store or farmer’s market, I’d recommend ordering it online. I’ve seen a few places on Instacart that sell it for a very reasonable price.
Eggs: The eggs are needed to make homemade hollandaise sauce. Just use the eggs you’d usually buy.
Butter: Butter is another key ingredient for making homemade hollandaise sauce. You’ll also need a small amount of butter when cooking the asparagus. So definitely make sure you have enough on hand.
Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard is also needed to make homemade hollandaise sauce. And I really don’t recommend skipping it as it’s crucial for the flavor of the sauce.
White sugar: White sugar is used for cooking the asparagus and making hollandaise sauce. And you definitely need it, so please don’t skip it.
Lemon: Lemon is another important ingredient. You’ll need it for the asparagus and hollandaise sauce. Plus, this whole dish tastes great when you drizzle some lemon juice over it. So definitely have enough lemons in your kitchen when you make this recipe.
Parsley: Parsley is used for garnishing the whole dish. I’d definitely use it as it doesn’t just look pretty, it also tastes really great with all of the components of this recipe.
Ground nutmeg or cayenne pepper: Ground nutmeg or cayenne pepper gives the hollandaise sauce some extra flavor but they aren’t absolutely necessary. I’d highly recommend using one of them, but you’ll be fine if you don’t have one of these two ingredients on hand.

How to make white asparagus with hollandaise sauce

Preparing white asparagus with hollandaise sauce is super simple! Just follow these steps:

Prepare the white asparagus: This step is really important. Before you can cook the white asparagus, you need to peel it and trim off the tough ends.
Cook the white asparagus: Next, add water to a large pot or pan and bring it to a boil. Add the salt, butter, and sugar. Then stir until the ingredients dissolve. Transfer the asparagus to the pot and add some lemon slices. Cover the pot, reduce to a simmer and let the asparagus cook for 8-12 minutes until tender.
Prepare the hollandaise sauce: While the asparagus cooks, you can prepare the hollandaise sauce. First, place the egg yolks, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and ground nutmeg in a tall and narrow container. Then blend with an immersion blender until combined. Melt the butter in a microwave until hot. Then slowly pour it into the same container while continuously blending with your immersion blender.
Serve: Place the white asparagus on a plate and pour the hollandaise sauce over the asparagus. Serve with potatoes and lemon wedges on the side. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

Tips & Notes

Here are a few quick notes to check out before you try this white asparagus recipe for the first time.

Stick to the recipe. I know that it’s tempting to change some of the ingredients or skip certain steps. And sometimes that’s totally okay. With this recipe, I’d highly recommend sticking to the steps and ingredients. Otherwise, your results might not be as expected and I definitely don’t want you to feel disappointed by one of my favorite dishes!
Thoroughly peel the white asparagus. The skin on white asparagus is a lot tougher than the one on green asparagus which is why you should make sure that it’s peeled well.
Adjust the cooking time for the asparagus. How long you’ll cook the asparagus really depends on your preferences and the thickness of the asparagus you use. The thicker the asparagus is, the longer it’ll need to cook. So make sure to check on it with a fork to see if it’s tender.
Make sure the butter for the hollandaise sauce is hot. If the butter is only melted, the hollandaise sauce won’t turn out well. So make sure the butter is actually hot and then use it to make the hollandaise sauce.

white asparagus with cooked potatoes and hollandaise sauce garnished with parsley on a plate

How to serve white asparagus with hollandaise sauce

In Germany, white asparagus is traditionally served with hollandaise sauce, potatoes, and ham.

But there are several other ways to serve white asparagus with hollandaise sauce. Here are some of my favorite options.

Potatoes: Potatoes are a classic side dish for white asparagus. And honestly, it’s the one I’d recommend preparing. Potatoes just taste amazing in combination with the asparagus and hollandaise sauce! To make the potatoes, just peel and cut them, then add them to a pot with some water. Bring the water to a boil, add some salt, cover the pot, reduce to a simmer and let the potatoes cook for 10-15 minutes. It’s super simple and really delicious!
Ham or turkey: The first time I tried white asparagus, eating it with the turkey breast slices I’d usually use for my sandwiches seemed kind of weird. But it actually tastes really good! If you prefer pork, you can use ham.
Salmon: Salmon is another delicious protein option! So if you’re in the mood for fish, feel free to sear salmon filets and serve them alongside your asparagus.
Chicken breast: Chicken breast is great for anyone who doesn’t like one of the other options (and anyone who loves chicken). You can season and then bake the chicken breasts in your oven at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes. Then cut the chicken breasts into slices and serve with the asparagus.
Lemon: I have a huge love for lemons and lemon juice. And it’s a great addition to this dish! So serve some lemon wedges to drizzle some lemon juice over your asparagus.
Parsley: Parsley is great for garnishing and adding some extra flavor. So I’d highly recommend using it when you’re plating everything!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought hollandaise sauce instead of making it at home?

Yes, absolutely! I think both taste great. So feel free to buy one at your grocery store if that’s what you prefer.

Can I make this white asparagus recipe dairy-free?

Sure! Just use vegan butter instead of regular butter and follow the instructions as described.

How do I store leftovers?

White asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Hollandaise sauce can be stored in your refrigerator and reheated but I’d recommend serving it fresh. If you want to store and reheat it though, make sure to reheat it using low heat so the eggs don’t cook. You can do this by using your microwave or stove.

More simple and delicious German recipes

If you love German dishes and want to try more recipes, then check out the following recipes. They are all super delicious and very easy to make.

5 from 1 vote