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Bohnensalat (German Green Bean Salad)

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A delicious Bohnensalat recipe celebrating the glory of fresh green beans!Ā  Simple to make and a great accompaniment to virtually anything, this German Green Bean Salad is a wonderful addition to your side dish repertoire!

bohnensalat recipe german green bean salad traditional authentic onions vinaigrette bohnenkraut savory

Whether your garden is bursting with beans or you find a good deal at the store or farmer’s market, this German Bohnensalat is a wonderful way to showcase those delicious, nutrient-packed green beans!

My garden is producing an abundance of beans right now.Ā  Every morning I go out to pick beans and come back in with a beautiful harvest.Ā  Whether you’re growing your own or a buying them, use the freshest beans you can find.Ā  You can use any number of green bean varieties as well as yellow and wax bean varieties.

I’ve made this German green bean salad with Roma type green beans as well as yellow wax beans and they’re all delicious.

garden fresh beans green yellow

Today I’m using some French haricot vert green beans, freshly harvested from my garden this morning.Ā  If you’re having dinner guests over these longer, slender green beans make for an elegant presentation when left whole.

garden fresh green beans

This Bohnensalat features the subtle flavor of summer savory, an herb that’s popular in Germany and known as Bohnenkraut but is relatively unknown in the U.S..Ā  If you want to experience a traditional German green bean salad, I highly recommend using the savory.Ā  However, feel free to change up the flavor profile with herbs of your choice (e.g., dill, oregano, parsley, thyme).

Tips for Making the Perfect Green Bean Salad:

  • It’s important that you don’t overcook the beans or they will be limp and mushy.Ā  Cook them until they’re barely tender but still slightly firm with a bit of “bite” to them.
  • Let the salad chill for several hours before eating to enable the flavors to penetrate the beans.
  • Eat the salad the same day or well within 24 hours while the beans are still a vibrant green; they lose their vibrance and turn a dull color over time.

bohnensalat recipe german green bean salad traditional authentic onions vinaigrette bohnenkraut savory

Bohnensalat Recipe

Let’s get started!

To cut or not to cut:Ā  Depending on the bean variety (if they’re not too long), you can either opt to leave them whole or you can cut them into bite-sized pieces.Ā  It’s purely a matter of personal preference.

Whisk together the vinaigrette and set aside.

Boil the beans with the summer savory in lightly salted water just until tender but still slightly firm. Do not overcook.

boiling green beans

When the beans are done cooking, drain them and immediately pour the marinade over the hot beans and stir in the minced onions. Let them sit until cool and then put them in the fridge to chill for several hours or overnight before serving.

Eat the same day or well within 24 hours while the beans are still a vibrant green.

bohnensalat recipe german green bean salad traditional authentic onions vinaigrette bohnenkraut summer savory

Enjoy!

bohnensalat recipe german green bean salad traditional authentic onions vinaigrette bohnenkraut savory

For more German salad recipes be sure to try our:

bohnensalat recipe german green bean salad traditional authentic onions vinaigrette bohnenkraut summer savory

Bohnensalat (German Green Bean Salad)

This fresh Bohnensalat is simple to make and is the perfect side dish for virtually everything!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine German
Servings 4
Calories 116 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh green beans , washed, drained, ends trimmed; you can either leave the beans whole or cut them into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 sprigs summer savory or 1/4 teaspoon dried summer savory (highly recommended for authentic German flavor but can substitute other herbs of choice, e.g. dill, parsley, oregano, thyme)
  • 1/3 cup finely diced yellow onion
  • For the Vinaigrette:
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil , highly recommended for authentic German flavor but can substitute olive oil (olive oil will solidify in the fridge; bring to room temp before serving)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • a few grinds of black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together the vinaigrette and set aside.
    Boil the beans with the summer savory in lightly salted water just until tender but still slightly firm. Do not overcook. When the beans are done cooking, drain them and immediately pour the marinade over the hot beans and stir in the minced onions. Let them sit until cool and then put them in the fridge to chill for several hours or overnight before serving.
    Eat the same day or well within 24 hours while the beans are still a vibrant green.

Nutrition

Calories: 116kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 880mgPotassium: 259mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 783IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Bohnensalat, German Green Bean Salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Hi, Iā€™m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!

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Recipe Rating




5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

4 Comments

    1. Hi hc, it’s there in the 4th sentence of the instructions: “When the beans are done cooking, drain them and immediately pour the marinade over the hot beans and stir in the minced onions.”