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German Green Bean Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 120 reviews

This traditional German Green Bean Soup, known as Bohnensuppe, is a comforting and hearty dish featuring crispy bacon, tender green beans, and potatoes in a creamy, savory broth. Infused with aromatic dried savory and finished with sour cream, this soup is perfect for a cozy meal that highlights authentic German flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Bacon and Vegetables

  • 6 slices bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small onion, thinly chopped
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds green beans (750 grams to 1 kg), trimmed and chopped into 1-inch lengths
  • 1 pound potatoes (250 grams), peeled and diced

Broth and Seasoning

  • 3 to 4 cups stock (vegetable or chicken stock recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon dried savory
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Finishing Touch

  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • Optional garnish: fresh parsley or additional bacon bits

Instructions

  1. Cook the Bacon: Place the chopped bacon in a cold medium to large saucepan and set it over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until it’s crispy, rendering out the fat and developing rich flavor.
  2. Sauté the Onion: Add the thinly chopped onion to the bacon in the pan. Cook until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes, to build the soup’s flavor base.
  3. Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Stir in the chopped green beans, diced potatoes, dried savory, salt, and pepper. Pour in 3 to 4 cups of stock, enough to cover the vegetables well.
  4. Simmer the Soup: Bring the contents of the pan to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook until the green beans and potatoes are tender, about 20-25 minutes.
  5. Puree Part of the Soup: Carefully transfer about one-third of the soup into a separate bowl. Use an immersion blender to puree this portion until smooth.
  6. Add Sour Cream and Blend: Stir the sour cream into the pureed soup and blend again to incorporate the creaminess evenly.
  7. Recombine and Heat: Return the pureed mixture to the saucepan with the rest of the vegetables. Stir well, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Reheat gently for a few minutes, but avoid boiling to prevent sour cream from curdling.
  8. Serve and Garnish: Remove the soup from heat and ladle into serving bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or additional crispy bacon bits if desired, then serve warm.

Notes

  • Use vegetable or chicken stock depending on dietary preferences.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable stock; sauté onions in oil to replace bacon fat flavor.
  • The soup can be pureed more thoroughly for a smoother texture or left a bit chunkier depending on preference.
  • Adjust sour cream quantity to taste for creaminess.
  • Reheating should be done gently to avoid breaking the sour cream texture.

Keywords: German green bean soup, Bohnensuppe, bacon soup, creamy green bean soup, traditional German recipes

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/german-green-bean-soup-recipe/