Back to Recipes
Curried Green Beans (Kerrieboontjies)

South African

Curried Green Beans (Kerrieboontjies)

A traditional Afrikaner side dish of green beans in a sweet-tangy curry sauce.

~35 mintotal~148 kcalper serving~3g protein~22g carbs~5g fat

Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 4.

Ingredients

  • 500g green beans, trimmed and cut
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • Salt & pepper

Cooking Steps

  1. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3–4 minutes. Drain and set aside.

  2. Sauté onion and garlic in oil. Add curry powder and turmeric.

  3. Add vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thick and syrupy.

  4. Add green beans and toss to coat in sauce.

  5. Serve warm or chilled; flavours develop overnight.

Optional Enhancements

  • Add mustard seeds
  • Add chilli for heat
  • Add potatoes for a thicker stew
  • Make a sweet-and-sour version with apricot jam

Plant & Growing Tips

  • Green Beans: Sow in warm soil (late spring–summer); provide support for climbing types; beans fix nitrogen; avoid overwatering
  • Onions: Plant early spring or autumn; full sun
  • Garlic: Plant in winter and mulch well; good drainage required
  • Mustard Seeds: Mustard greens grow quickly in cool weather; allow plants to flower and set seed

Natural Pest Control

  • Marigolds repel nematodes in bean beds
  • Spray garlic-chilli water for beetles
  • Encourage ladybirds to control aphids
  • Rotate beans to prevent soil-borne diseases

Harvest

  • Green Beans: Harvest when pods are slender and seeds barely visible; regular picking encourages more beans
  • Onions & Garlic: Harvest when tops fall over and dry

Storing & Freezing

Keeps 5 days refrigerated. Freezes well for up to 2 months.

More recipes

See all ›
80 minSouth AfricanCape Malay Chicken Curry~524 kcal~57g protein50 minSouth AfricanBoerewors with Tomato Relish~522 kcal~30g proteinSouth AfricanSweet Potato Mash with Chilli Butter~294 kcal~6g protein45 minSouth AfricanBeef Sosaties~441 kcal~46g protein40 minSouth AfricanGrilled Snoek with Apricot GlazeRecipe70 minSouth AfricanButternut Soup~266 kcal~3g protein75 minSouth AfricanPeri-Peri Chicken & Rice Prep Boxes~330 kcal~31g protein75 minSouth AfricanBobotie~566 kcal~42g protein15 minSouth AfricanGreen Bean Salad with Garlic Dressing~168 kcal~3g protein45 minSouth AfricanBeetroot Salad~108 kcal~2g protein130 minSouth AfricanSamp & Beans (Umngqusho)~352 kcal~13g protein40 minSouth AfricanHoney-Roasted Butternut & Chickpea Bowl~424 kcal~15g protein

Make this easier with Visionary

Scan any food in secondsPoint your camera at a meal or label and log it. No weighing, no database hunting.The best MyFitnessPal alternativesFive apps compared on tracking, training and coaching, not just calorie counting.Visionary in South AfricaHow Visionary works for South African members, with local food and local routines.