Grüne Soße
Frankfurt Green Sauce
A classic Frankfurt specialty, this vibrant green sauce is made from a blend of seven fresh herbs, creamy sour cream, and yogurt. Traditionally served with boiled potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, it's a refreshing and flavorful accompaniment to many dishes. Legend has it, it was Goethe's favorite sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200 g Fresh herb blend (traditionally includes parsley, chives, chervil, borage, sorrel, salad burnet, and garden cress)(Ensure herbs are fresh and washed. A good quality pre-mixed 'Grüne Soße' herb blend is available in Germany, or you can create your own.)
- 250 g Sour cream(Full-fat sour cream will yield the richest flavor.)
- 150 g Plain yogurt(Greek yogurt can be used for a thicker sauce, or regular plain yogurt for a lighter consistency.)
- 3 Large eggs(For serving.)
- 500 g Waxy potatoes (like Yukon Gold or Fingerling)(For serving. About 6-8 medium potatoes.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the eggs and potatoes: Place the eggs in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. While eggs are cooking, wash the potatoes, place them in a separate pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly. Once the eggs are cooked, drain them, run under cold water, and peel them.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 2
Finely chop the herbs: Wash and thoroughly dry the seven herbs. Remove any tough stems. Finely chop all the herbs together until they are almost a paste. The finer the chop, the better the herbs will meld into the sauce and release their flavor. You can use a sharp knife or a food processor for this, pulsing carefully to avoid over-processing.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Combine the sauce ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream and yogurt. Add the finely chopped herbs to the sour cream and yogurt mixture. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the sauce is a uniform green color. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Let the sauce rest for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Serve: Arrange the boiled potatoes and peeled hard-boiled eggs on a platter or individual plates. Serve the Grüne Soße in a separate bowl or ramekin for dipping or spooning over the potatoes and eggs. This sauce is also excellent with boiled beef, fish, or as a general condiment.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The traditional seven herbs are parsley, chives, chervil, borage, sorrel, salad burnet, and garden cress. If you can't find all of them, use a good mix of fresh, aromatic herbs like dill, tarragon, or even a little mint.
- ✓For a smoother sauce, you can press some of the chopped herbs through a fine-mesh sieve or blend them with a small amount of the sour cream before mixing with the rest.
- ✓Grüne Soße is best served fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavor may deepen over time.
- ✓This sauce is a staple in Frankfurt and is often served during the spring and summer months.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a tangier sauce, increase the proportion of sour cream or add a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Some variations include adding a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise for extra richness.
- For a lighter version, use a higher ratio of yogurt to sour cream.