Traditional Greek Avgolemono Sauce (Egg-Lemon Sauce) Recipe
Avgolemono Sauce is a traditional Greek egg-lemon sauce known for its creamy texture and bright, tangy flavor. Made by slowly tempering eggs with lemon juice and hot broth, this sauce is often used to enrich soups, stews, and rice dishes, adding a velvety richness and refreshing citrus note.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 cup of sauce, enough for 4 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Avgolemono Sauce Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 lemon, juiced (plus 1 additional lemon for extra juice if desired)
- 2 cups hot broth (chicken or vegetable broth recommended; can use broth from the soup you’re adding the sauce to)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the eggs: In a heatproof bowl, whisk the 2 large eggs until they are smooth and slightly frothy.
- Add lemon juice: Stir in the juice of 1 lemon to the whisked eggs and mix thoroughly to combine.
- Temper the eggs: Slowly add about half of the hot broth into the egg-lemon mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from cooking too quickly and curdling.
- Combine sauce with broth: Gradually pour the tempered egg-lemon mixture back into the remaining hot broth, stirring gently but continuously to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Heat gently: Place the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly; be careful not to boil the sauce to avoid curdling.
- Season to taste: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
- Optional adjustment: If desired, add extra lemon juice for more brightness, mixing well into the sauce.
- Serve: Use the avgolemono sauce immediately poured over soups, rice, or vegetables to enjoy its fresh, creamy flavor.
Notes
- Temper the eggs slowly with hot broth to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth sauce.
- The sauce should be heated gently; boiling will cause the eggs to scramble.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor and brightness.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice as desired.
- This sauce pairs beautifully with chicken soup, rice dishes, or steamed vegetables.
