Bonteboon Slaai
Sugar Bean Salad
A classic South African sugar bean salad, dressed in a simple sweet and sour vinaigrette. Perfect as a side dish for a 'braai' (barbecue) or any casual meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cans (approx. 400g each) Sugar beans
- 1 medium Red onion
- 3 tablespoons White sugar
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) White vinegar(Or apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor.)
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) Vegetable oil(A neutral oil like sunflower or canola is recommended.)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt(Or to taste.)
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper(Freshly ground, or to taste.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the beans and onion: Open the cans of sugar beans, drain them thoroughly, and rinse under cold running water. Drain again very well. Peel and very thinly slice the red onion. If the onion slices are too large, you can chop them slightly after slicing.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the white sugar, white vinegar, vegetable oil, salt, and black pepper. Continue whisking until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the dressing is well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed – it should be a balance of sweet, sour, and savory.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Combine ingredients: Add the drained sugar beans and the thinly sliced red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together to ensure the beans and onions are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 4
Chill to meld flavors: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the beans to absorb the dressing, making the salad more delicious.
⏱️ 1 hour (minimum)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For best results, let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or even overnight, to allow the flavors to fully develop.
- ✓This salad is a classic and essential side dish for any South African 'braai' (barbecue).
- ✓The dressing is a simple sweet and sour vinaigrette, which is key to the salad's refreshing taste.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add blanched green beans for extra color and texture.
- Increase the vinegar slightly for a tangier salad.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes to the dressing for a hint of heat.