Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Eggs Benedict with Turkey and Avocado on a Lighter Greek Yogurt Hollandaise

High ProteinNut-Free
Prep Time10 min
Cook Time15 min
Servings2
Calories390 kcal
Health Score8/10
↓ Jump to recipe
Eggs Benedict with Turkey and Avocado on a Lighter Greek Yogurt Hollandaise

Eggs Benedict with Turkey and Avocado on a Lighter Greek Yogurt Hollandaise is a recipe that takes one of the most indulgent brunch classics and rebuilds it from the ground up without stripping away any of the satisfaction. The original version, with its butter-heavy hollandaise and Canadian bacon, can land north of 600 calories before you even finish your coffee. This version comes in at 390 calories while delivering 32 grams of protein per serving, which makes it one of the more genuinely filling morning meals you can put together in under half an hour. The swap from traditional hollandaise to a Greek yogurt base is the central move here, and it works because the yogurt carries enough richness and tang to hold its own against the poached eggs and avocado. The turkey breast keeps things lean while still providing real substance. If you have been making standard eggs benedict on weekends and walking away feeling heavy, this recipe gives you the same experience with a noticeably lighter result.

The ingredient list is compact but every item earns its place. Whole grain English muffins bring around 4 grams of fibre per muffin and provide a sturdy, slightly chewy base that holds up under the weight of the toppings without turning soggy immediately. Oven-roasted turkey breast is one of the leanest protein sources available, contributing the majority of that 32-gram protein count while keeping saturated fat low. The avocado adds around 6 grams of healthy monounsaturated fat, which helps with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from the eggs and contributes to the 6 grams of total fibre in the dish. The four large eggs provide choline, vitamin D, and roughly 12 grams of additional protein across the two servings. Full-fat Greek yogurt, used in the hollandaise, brings calcium, probiotics, and a thick body that mimics the creaminess of a butter sauce. The egg yolks in the sauce add lecithin, which acts as a natural emulsifier and helps the yogurt sauce stay cohesive. Fresh lemon juice brightens everything and keeps the sauce from tasting flat. Dijon mustard adds depth and a mild heat.

The assembled dish has a layered appearance that looks more involved than it is to produce. The toasted whole grain muffin gives you a golden, slightly crunchy foundation. The turkey slices drape over it with a soft, deli-style texture. The avocado, sliced or slightly mashed depending on your preference, sits in the middle with its pale green colour and buttery weight. The poached eggs rest on top, and when you cut through the yolk, the runny centre spills down through the layers and mingles with the hollandaise. The yogurt hollandaise is made in a small saucepan over low heat, whisking egg yolks with lemon juice and Dijon before folding in the Greek yogurt and olive oil. The key is keeping the heat gentle so the yogurt does not break. The finished sauce is pale yellow, glossy, and coats a spoon in a way that feels far richer than the ingredient list suggests. A dusting of smoked paprika on top adds a faint warmth and a rust-coloured finish. The chives cut through the richness with a mild onion note.

This recipe is built around a high-protein breakfast goal, which makes it well suited for anyone trying to manage hunger through the morning, support muscle repair after early exercise, or reduce mid-morning snacking. At 32 grams of protein and 390 calories, the macros align well with structured eating plans, including high-protein diets and general calorie-aware approaches. The fibre content of 6 grams is meaningful for a breakfast dish and supports steady digestion and blood sugar management after the meal. People following plans that prioritise whole food sources over processed protein will appreciate that every gram of protein here comes from eggs, turkey, and yogurt rather than powders or supplements. The dish contains gluten from the English muffin, so it is not suited for coeliac diets without substitution, but it is naturally free from added sugar beyond the 4 grams of naturally occurring sugars. Athletes, busy professionals who want a proper weekend breakfast that does not derail their intake, and anyone recovering from a tough morning workout will find this recipe genuinely useful rather than just decorative.

This recipe is most practical as a weekend cooking project since the poached eggs require attention and are best served fresh, but several components can be prepared in advance to cut down on morning effort. The yogurt hollandaise keeps well in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to two days and can be gently rewarmed in a small saucepan over low heat with a splash of water to loosen it. The turkey slices are already ready to go straight from the package, and the avocado can be sliced just before assembly to avoid browning. If you want to make this part of a broader meal prep routine, toast and portion the English muffins ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. For variations, you can swap the turkey for smoked salmon, which pairs naturally with the lemon and dill if you add a small amount. A vegetarian version works well with sauteed spinach and roasted tomatoes in place of the turkey. You can also use a thin whole grain flatbread instead of the muffin for a slightly lower carbohydrate base. The full recipe with quantities and step-by-step instructions is in the recipe card below.

Ingredients

Serves:2
  • 2 whole whole grain English muffins (split and lightly toasted)
  • 4 oz oven-roasted turkey breast slices (low-sodium, about 4 thin slices)
  • 1 large ripe avocado (peeled, pitted and thinly sliced)
  • 4 large eggs (as fresh as possible for best poaching results)
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar (for the poaching water)
  • 3 tbsp full-fat plain Greek yogurt (strained style works best)
  • 2 large egg yolks (for the hollandaise)
  • 1.5 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about half a lemon)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (drizzled in slowly)
  • 0.3 tsp smoked paprika (for garnish)
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives (finely chopped, for garnish)
  • 0.3 tsp fine sea salt (divided between sauce and assembly)
  • 0.3 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Make the Greek yogurt hollandaise first. In a small saucepan over the lowest possible heat, whisk together the egg yolks, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard until combined. Gently whisk continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes pale.

    Keep the heat very low. If the pan feels too hot, lift it off the burner for a few seconds while continuing to whisk.

  2. 2

    Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the Greek yogurt until smooth and well combined. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking to emulsify. Season with a small pinch of sea salt and a crack of black pepper. Set aside, covered, in a warm spot.

    If the sauce thickens too much as it sits, whisk in a teaspoon of warm water to loosen it back up.

  3. 3

    Fill a medium saucepan with about 3 inches of water and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Add the white vinegar. Crack each egg individually into a small cup or ramekin. This gives you control over the drop.

    Look for small bubbles rising from the base of the pan. A rolling boil will break the eggs apart.

  4. 4

    Create a gentle swirl in the water with a spoon, then carefully slide one egg at a time into the centre of the swirl. Poach 2 eggs at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, until the whites are set and the yolk remains soft. Remove with a slotted spoon and rest on a clean folded kitchen towel.

    For runnier yolks, pull at 2 minutes. For firmer yolks, give them the full 3 minutes.

  5. 5

    While the second batch of eggs poaches, lightly toast the English muffin halves and warm the turkey breast slices briefly in a dry non-stick pan over medium-low heat for about 1 minute per side.

    Do not overheat the turkey or it will dry out. Just a gentle warm-through is all you need.

  6. 6

    Assemble the benedicts. Place 2 toasted muffin halves on each plate. Layer each half with turkey, then fan several slices of avocado across the top. Rest a poached egg gently on the avocado.

    Fan the avocado slices out slightly so they sit stable and give you good coverage across the muffin.

  7. 7

    Spoon the warm Greek yogurt hollandaise generously over each egg. Dust with smoked paprika and scatter the chopped chives across the plates. Add a final crack of black pepper and serve immediately.

    Serve the moment everything is assembled. Hollandaise and poached eggs wait for no one.

Nutrition per serving

390kcal

Calories

32g

Protein

28g

Carbs

17g

Fat

6g

Fibre

4g

Sugar

520mg

Sodium

Pro Tips

  • Use the freshest eggs you can find. Older eggs have thinner whites that spread out in the water rather than holding together.

  • If you are serving 4 people, poach all eggs in advance, transfer them to a bowl of warm water, and reheat for 30 seconds in simmering water just before plating.

  • The hollandaise can be made up to 30 minutes ahead and kept warm in a bowl set over a pan of hot water, covered with a lid.

  • Choose a ripe avocado that gives slightly under gentle pressure. It will slice cleanly and taste far creamier than an underripe one.

  • A whole grain English muffin adds around 3 grams of fibre per serving compared to roughly 1 gram in a standard white muffin, making it a meaningful upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use turkey deli slices instead of roasted turkey breast?

Yes, low-sodium deli turkey slices work well here. Just look for a brand with minimal added ingredients and avoid any honey-glazed varieties to keep the sugar content down.

Is the Greek yogurt hollandaise stable enough to use?

It is stable enough for immediate serving and stays warm for about 20 to 30 minutes if kept covered. It does not reheat as well as traditional hollandaise, so make it fresh each time.

How do I know when the avocado is ripe enough?

Press the avocado gently near the stem end. It should give slightly under pressure without feeling mushy. The skin on a ripe Hass avocado will be dark and pebbly.

Can I make this gluten free?

Swap the whole grain English muffin for a certified gluten-free English muffin or a thick slice of toasted gluten-free sourdough. All other ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten free.

Why is this healthier than traditional eggs benedict?

Traditional eggs benedict uses Canadian bacon or ham and a butter-heavy hollandaise that can add 600 or more calories per serving. This version uses lean turkey breast, avocado for healthy fats, and a Greek yogurt hollandaise that cuts the saturated fat significantly while adding protein and probiotics.

Can I meal prep any part of this recipe?

You can slice the turkey and avocado ahead of time, storing the avocado with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning. The hollandaise is best made fresh. Poached eggs can be made ahead and stored in cold water in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then reheated briefly in simmering water.

Variations

  • Spicy Chipotle Turkey Benedict

    Add half a teaspoon of chipotle powder to the hollandaise and layer a few slices of pickled jalapeño under the egg for a smoky, spicy twist that complements the avocado beautifully.

  • Spinach and Turkey Benedict

    Wilt a large handful of baby spinach in a dry pan with a little garlic and layer it between the turkey and avocado for extra iron and a Florentine-inspired feel.

  • Keto Turkey Avocado Benedict

    Skip the English muffin entirely and use thick portobello mushroom caps, roasted upside down in the oven, as your base. This drops the carbs significantly while adding earthy flavour.

  • Tomato and Herb Turkey Benedict

    Add two thick slices of ripe beef tomato between the turkey and avocado, and swap the chives for a mix of fresh basil and flat-leaf parsley for a bright Mediterranean variation.

Substitutions

  • whole grain English muffingluten-free English muffin or thick-sliced sweet potato toast (Sweet potato toast adds natural sweetness and extra fibre while keeping the recipe grain-free.)
  • full-fat Greek yogurtlow-fat Greek yogurt (Works fine but the sauce will be slightly less rich. Avoid fat-free yogurt as it can taste sour and thin out too much.)
  • fresh lemon juicewhite wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar (Use half the quantity as vinegar is more acidic than lemon juice. The flavour will be slightly sharper.)
  • oven-roasted turkey breast slicessliced cooked chicken breast (Grilled or poached chicken breast works just as well and keeps the protein content equally high.)
  • avocadohummus spread (If avocado is unavailable or not to your taste, a thick spread of plain hummus adds creaminess and plant-based protein in its place.)
  • Dijon mustardwhole grain mustard (Adds a slightly more textured, rustic flavour to the hollandaise. Use the same quantity.)

🧊 Storage

Eggs benedict with turkey and avocado is best eaten immediately after assembly. Leftover poached eggs can be stored in cold water in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The Greek yogurt hollandaise will keep in the fridge for up to 1 day in a sealed jar but may separate on reheating. Whisk vigorously with a tiny splash of warm water over low heat to bring it back. Sliced avocado should be stored with lemon juice pressed onto the surface and tightly wrapped to minimise browning.

📅 Make Ahead

The Greek yogurt hollandaise can be made up to 30 minutes before serving and kept warm in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of hot water. Poach eggs up to 24 hours in advance and store in cold water in the fridge. To reheat, lower them into gently simmering water for 30 to 45 seconds. Avocado is best sliced fresh to order for the best texture and colour.