South African Green Bean Salad

Brighten up your table with the vibrant flavors of South African Green Bean Salad, a refreshing and zesty side dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Crisp, tender green beans are blanched to perfection and tossed with thinly sliced red onions, then coated in a tangy-sweet vinaigrette infused with white vinegar, mustard powder, paprika, and garlic. The salad is finished with a drizzle of olive oil for a silky texture, making it a delightful balance of crunch and bold flavors. This easy-to-make salad comes together in just 25 minutes (plus chilling time), but its true magic happens as it marinates, allowing the robust flavors to meld beautifully. Serve it chilled as a vibrant accompaniment to grilled meats, barbecues, or summer picnics. Packed with fresh ingredients and South African flair, this green bean salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Fresh green beans
• 1 medium Red onion
• 60 ml White vinegar
• 60 ml Water
• 50 grams Sugar
• 30 ml Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon Mustard powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Paprika

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and water.

Step 2

Trim the ends of the green beans and cut them into approximately 5 cm (2-inch) pieces.

Step 3

Blanch the green beans by adding them to the boiling water and cooking for 2-3 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Immediately transfer the beans to the ice bath to stop them from cooking further. Once cooled, drain and set aside.

Step 4

Peel the red onion and slice it thinly into rings or half-moons.

Step 5

In a small saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, sugar, salt, black pepper, mustard powder, and paprika. Mince the garlic and add it to the mixture.

Step 6

Heat the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched green beans and sliced red onion.

Step 8

Drizzle the cooled vinaigrette over the vegetables and add the olive oil. Toss everything together until well coated.

Step 9

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. For best results, let it sit overnight.

Step 10

Serve the salad chilled and enjoy as a zesty side dish alongside grilled meats or poultry.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(843.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	691.1

Total Fat 30.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2400.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 100.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.9g	0%
Total Sugars 72.1g
Protein 11.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 245.8mg	0%
Iron 6.1mg	0%
Potassium 1337.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.8%

Protein: 6.3%

Carbs: 55.9%