This Green Bean Casserole is a rich, creamy dish topped with golden, crispy onions that offer the perfect balance of texture. It combines tender green beans with a savory, mushroom-flavored sauce, creating a comforting and delicious dish perfect for family dinners or holiday meals.
This classic casserole is not only easy to prepare but also customizable. If you prefer, you can use fresh or frozen green beans and even make the creamy sauce from scratch. The crispy fried onions provide that irresistible crunch that everyone loves, making this dish an essential comfort food that’s sure to please any crowd.
Full Recipe:
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4 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
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1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
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1/2 cup milk
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1 teaspoon soy sauce
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1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/4 teaspoon onion powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1 1/2 cups French fried onions
Directions:
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for about 5 minutes until they are tender but still crisp. Drain and set aside.
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In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
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Add the cooked green beans to the soup mixture and stir to combine.
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Transfer the green bean mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
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Top the casserole with French fried onions, spreading them out evenly on top.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly, and the onions on top are golden brown.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 180 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Perfect Green Bean Casserole: A Thanksgiving Classic
Green Bean Casserole is undeniably one of the quintessential dishes on the Thanksgiving dinner table. Its creamy, savory mushroom sauce, tender green beans, and crispy golden onions create the ideal combination of textures and flavors that are not just comforting but also full of nostalgia. This recipe elevates the traditional Green Bean Casserole to a whole new level, with a homemade mushroom sauce that stands apart from the overly processed versions many have come to associate with the dish.
The Origins of Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole has an iconic status in American culinary history. It was first introduced in 1955 by the Campbell Soup Company as part of a marketing campaign to promote their Cream of Mushroom Soup. The company’s original recipe called for canned green beans, canned fried onions, and, of course, canned mushroom soup. The dish quickly became a staple in households across the United States, particularly around Thanksgiving, due to its ease of preparation and comforting flavors.
However, the dish has evolved over time, and many cooks now choose to make it from scratch, leaving behind the canned ingredients in favor of fresher, more flavorful alternatives. This recipe follows the spirit of the classic dish while introducing some modern twists for a richer, more authentic flavor.
Why Skip the Canned Soup?
One of the biggest changes in recent years to the Green Bean Casserole recipe is the move away from using canned mushroom soup. Although convenient, canned soups are often packed with preservatives, artificial flavorings, and excessive salt. By making the mushroom sauce from scratch, you control the flavor, texture, and quality of every ingredient. The creamy sauce made from fresh mushrooms, butter, cream, and stock is far more indulgent and balanced compared to its processed counterpart. Not only does it taste better, but it’s also free from any artificial additives, giving you a much healthier dish without sacrificing flavor.
The Importance of Texture: Crispy Onions Make the Difference
A standout feature of any great Green Bean Casserole is the topping of crispy fried onions. While the canned fried onions that are often used can be convenient, there’s no comparison to the crunch and depth of flavor offered by homemade fried onions. The use of Panko breadcrumbs gives the onions a larger, airier crunch, making each bite more satisfying. Additionally, frying the onions allows you to control their texture, ensuring they are crispy and golden brown, not soggy. The combination of these perfectly fried onions with the creamy green beans creates a perfect balance of textures – soft and velvety beans, contrasted by the sharp, crispy crunch of the onions.
If you’re not keen on frying onions yourself, there’s no need to stress. There are high-quality store-bought options available that can still give you a satisfying crunch. However, if you decide to go the homemade route, be sure to allow the fried onions to drain thoroughly before adding them to the casserole. This ensures they remain crisp when baked, rather than becoming soggy in the creamy sauce.
Blanching the Green Beans to Perfection
The key to achieving tender but crisp green beans is blanching them. Blanching is the process of briefly boiling the beans and then shocking them in ice-cold water to stop the cooking process. This method helps to preserve the beans’ vibrant green color and crisp texture while ensuring they remain tender in the casserole. The beans are then gently dried before being mixed with the sauce. If the beans are left too wet, they will release excess water into the sauce, making it watery and less creamy. Properly dried beans will help maintain the smooth, rich consistency of the sauce, and they’ll blend beautifully with the other ingredients.
Make-Ahead Tips for Stress-Free Cooking
One of the best things about this Green Bean Casserole recipe is that it can be prepared ahead of time. Thanksgiving Day can be a frenzy of cooking, so having side dishes that can be prepped in advance is a lifesaver. You can blanch the beans and prepare the mushroom sauce up to 3 days ahead of time and store them in the fridge. The onions can be fried the day before and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. On the day of your meal, all you need to do is assemble the casserole, bake it to heat it through, and then top it with the crispy onions before baking again to get that golden crunch.
For a truly smooth and stress-free Thanksgiving, having these components ready to go will allow you to focus on other dishes while ensuring your Green Bean Casserole comes out just as delicious as if it were made from scratch that day.
How to Adjust the Recipe for Different Dietary Preferences
This Green Bean Casserole is quite versatile and can be easily adapted for different dietary needs. For a vegetarian version, simply ensure that the stock used is vegetable-based, rather than chicken stock. If you’re looking to make the dish dairy-free, you can substitute the butter and cream with plant-based alternatives like olive oil and coconut milk. These substitutions may slightly alter the flavor, but they will still result in a deliciously creamy sauce that complements the green beans.
For a gluten-free version, you can use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. Many stores offer gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs, or you can make your own by processing gluten-free bread into breadcrumbs. The key is to ensure that your substitutions align with your guests’ dietary restrictions while still delivering the same great taste and texture.
Green Bean Casserole as a Versatile Side Dish
While Green Bean Casserole is most commonly served at Thanksgiving, it’s an incredibly versatile dish that works well for any occasion. Its creamy texture and savory flavors complement a wide range of main dishes, from roast turkey to baked ham or even grilled steaks. It’s also a fantastic choice for holiday dinners or family gatherings, where a warm, comforting vegetable side is always appreciated.
This casserole pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, making it an essential part of the Thanksgiving feast. But don’t hesitate to serve it for other holidays like Christmas or Easter, or even as a comforting dish during the colder months.
Conclusion: A Dish to Remember
Green Bean Casserole is a beloved dish that has become synonymous with Thanksgiving for many, and for good reason. It’s a perfect blend of comforting flavors, textures, and aromas, all in one casserole dish. By making the creamy mushroom sauce from scratch and topping it with crispy fried onions, this recipe elevates the classic dish to a new level, ensuring that it’s not just another side on the table but a true crowd-pleaser.
Whether you’re making it for a large holiday gathering or a smaller family meal, this Green Bean Casserole is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire. With a little preparation and some love for the process, you’ll create a dish that not only tastes fantastic but also brings joy and nostalgia to every bite.
By following this recipe, you ensure that your Green Bean Casserole is nothing short of perfection. It’s a dish that’s perfect for making ahead, flexible for dietary needs, and deliciously satisfying for all who partake. This is more than just a side dish – it’s a symbol of the love and care put into preparing a memorable holiday meal.