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Oma's German-Style Creamy Green Beans (grüne Bohnen)

German green beans (grüne Bohnen) in creamy sauce ... just like Mutti made, with bohnenkraut for that traditional, comforting flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds (681 grams) frozen green beans (See Hints below)
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
• ½ cup (75 grams) finely diced onion
• 2 tablespoons (16 grams) all-purpose flour (see Hints below)
• about ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable broth or water, if needed
• ½ teaspoon (0.5 gram) summer savory (bohnenkraut)
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place the frozen green beans in a saucepan and add enough water to almost cover the beans. Add the salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 8 minutes or until just tender.
2. Pour the beans into a sieve to drain, reserving the cooking liquid. 
3. In the saucepan, melt the butter and add the onions. Sauté for several minutes until the onions are transparent, but not browned. 
4. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
5. Stir in about 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid and continue to cook while stirring. Simmer for about 5 minutes, adding more liquid if the sauce gets too thick. If you run out of cooking liquid, use vegetable broth or water.
6. Return the cooked beans to the sauce and stir in the savory. Season with salt and pepper. Add chopped parsley, if using, and serve.

Hints:

• To use fresh or canned beans, see the post above for info.
• You can use this recipe for making peas and carrots. Use either canned or frozen, cook till tender and make the sauce the same way. Use parsley instead of savory.
• Make this Gluten-Free by using GF flour.

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Recipe updated on June 7, 2025