Salade Liégeoise (Liège Green Bean and Potato Salad)
Local name: Salade liégeoise
In short: A warm salad of green beans and waxy potatoes tossed with crisp bacon, shallot and a sharp vinaigrette made in the bacon pan. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 310 kcal
Salade liégeoise is a warm salad from Liège, built on two crops that come into season together in summer: green beans and new potatoes. They are boiled, drained and tossed with crisp bacon, shallot and a vinegar dressing made in the bacon pan. It is eaten as a light main course, often with a fried egg or a slice of cold meat, and it also makes a good side for grilled sausages.
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes and put them in a pot of cold water with half the salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until a knife slides in easily. Drain, cool for 5 minutes, peel if you like, and cut into thick slices.
- While the potatoes cook, boil the green beans in salted water for 5 to 7 minutes until tender but still slightly firm. Drain, rinse under cold water to keep the color and drain again.
- Cook the bacon in a large frying pan over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes until crisp. Lift it out with a slotted spoon and leave the fat in the pan.
- Add the shallot to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vinegar, mustard and oil, scraping the base of the pan.
- Add the warm potatoes and beans to the pan and toss over low heat for 1 minute so they absorb the dressing.
- Fold in most of the bacon and the parsley, season with pepper and a little salt if needed, and serve warm topped with the rest of the bacon.
Tips
- Dress the potatoes while they are still warm. They soak up the vinegar and take on flavor, while cold potatoes are only coated.
- Top the salad with a fried or soft-boiled egg for a full meal, or swap the bacon for diced smoked sausage.
Questions and answers
Can I serve Liège salad cold?
You can, but it is best warm or at room temperature. If you chill it, take it out 20 minutes before serving and add a splash of vinegar to wake up the dressing.
What potatoes are best for Liège salad?
Waxy potatoes such as new potatoes or Charlotte hold their shape after boiling. Floury varieties fall apart when tossed.
Can I make Liège salad vegetarian?
Yes. Replace the bacon with sautéed mushrooms or smoked tofu fried in a little oil, and add a pinch of smoked paprika.
How long does it take to make Salade Liégeoise (Liège Green Bean and Potato Salad)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Salade Liégeoise (Liège Green Bean and Potato Salad)?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 30 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
