Hungarian Green Beans
Hungarian Green Beans offers tender beans cooked with crispy bacon and a tangy sour cream sauce, making it a hearty side perfect for family dinners or festive occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups of boiling water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a boil.
- Add the green beans and cook over high heat until boiling.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 12 to 16 minutes until beans are tender-crisp, then reserve the liquid.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon slices until crispy, then remove and drain on paper towels.
- In the bacon drippings, sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Gradually stir in the reserved bean cooking liquid, vinegar, and sour cream, cooking until thickened.
- Chop the cooked bacon and stir into the sauce.
- Add the cooked green beans to the sauce, toss to combine, and serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding minced garlic or a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the onions. For a lighter version, substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon and Greek yogurt for sour cream. If you're short on time, canned green beans can be used, but fresh or frozen are recommended for best texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish as a side to grilled meats or alongside a hearty main like Jaeger Schnitzel. It also pairs well with crusty bread for a complete meal. For added texture, garnish with crushed nuts or freshly chopped herbs before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking, or microwave in short intervals until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hungarian Green Beans contains roughly 375 calories, with 10g protein, 68g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1861mg per serving (81% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or mushrooms for a rich flavor. Use vegetable broth instead of the bean cooking liquid and a plant-based sour cream to keep it vegetarian-friendly.
How can I adjust the thickness of the sauce?
If the sauce is too thick, add a little more reserved bean liquid or broth to reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, mix a bit more flour with water to create a slurry and stir it in while cooking.
What other dishes pair well with Hungarian Green Beans?
This dish pairs beautifully with Ham Stuffed Cabbage Rolls and can complement a variety of pork recipes. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside roasted potatoes or a light salad.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).