Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (2024)

Elizabeth Van Lierdethanksgiving

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No matter what, green bean casserole is at the top of our Thanksgiving side’s lineup. This ultimate green bean casserole is made with the classics like Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup and French’s fried onions but made decadent with ingredients like fresh golden brown mushrooms and fresh green beans. The perfect pair with thanksgiving turkey, pork roast or tri-tip. Bookmark this green bean casserole recipe for all your Thanksgiving needs.

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (1)

I can only speak for myself but is anyone else’s family totally obsessed with green bean casserole!?

It’s the number one requested Thanksgiving side dish at our house and I am happy to oblige. For as long as I can remember I have been in charge of ‘the’ green bean casserole. Or ‘the bean casserole’ as my Dad likes to say.

Looking for a fun and easy twist?! Try this Crispy Prosciutto Green Bean Casserole twist!

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (2)Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (3)Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (4)
Green Bean Casserole Ingredients:

  • FRESH green beans
  • Butter
  • Fresh mushrooms
  • Minced Garlic
  • Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup
  • Half and Half
  • Black pepper
  • Soy sauce
  • French’s Fried Onions (the whole can!)

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (5)

How To Make Green Bean Casserole:

  1. Grab a pal (and a glass of wine), a large chopping block and trim a few pounds of green beans.
  2. Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Boil green beans for 3-4 minutes and then transfer to an ice bath (large bowl of ice+water) to stop cooking.
  3. In a large saute pan, brown up your mushrooms until they are golden and tender.
  4. Stir together the soup, half and half, black pepper, thyme, soy sauce and part of the onions. Combine the soup mixture and green beans.
  5. Bake the casserole for 20 minutes covered, remove foil and add the rest of the onions and continue baking until golden brown and bubbly.

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (6)

Can I mix up Green Bean Casserole the night before?

Yes, girl! I know that Thanksgiving prep can be bananas and you can totally mix this green bean casserole the night before. You will make it according to the recipe, just be sure to add in the crunchy onions right before baking instead so they don’t get soggy overnight. Mix in the onions and bake accordingly!

I make up the green bean casserole in my extra-large Le Creuset roaster the night before, wrap tightly, and bake right in the same pan the next day. This roaster is perfect for green bean casserole because I ALWAYS double the recipe and it extra large enough to handle it!

What goes with Green Bean Casserole?

I truly think green bean casserole should be instituted all year long BUT it is a Thanksgiving side classic. This creamy, savory casserole pears perfect with roasted turkey, pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and sweet marshmallow-topped yams.

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (7) Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (8)

Tips for The Best Green Bean Casserole:

  • Use fresh beans! I cannot tell you enough! The fresh beans will add such depth and freshness to the casserole. Plus, they hold up WAY better than canned beans and never get mushy.
  • Don’t deviate from the classic too much. I love using the nostalgic items like Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup and French’s fried onions but add in fresh mushrooms for extra added flavor. Bacon is also a great addition for extra flavor!
  • Be sure to blanch your fresh beans and put them right into an ice bath! They will continue to cook in the oven and become perfectly tender. If you don’t blanch your fresh beans they will be hard and crunchy.
  • Reheating for leftovers: tent the casserole loosely with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 F or until heated through.

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (9)

More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Herb Apple Pecan Stuffing
  • Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
  • Butternut Squash and Spinach White Lasagna
  • Brussel Sprout and Caramelized Leek Gratin

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Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (10)

  • Author: Elizabeth Van Lierde
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 side portions 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This ultimate green bean casserole is made with the classics like Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup and French’s fried onions but made decadent with ingredients like fresh golden brown mushrooms and fresh green beans.

Ingredients

Scale

3 lbs of fresh green beans, trimmed

3 tablespoons of unsalted butter

16 Oz of crimini mushrooms, sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 cans of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup

1 cup of half and half

1 tablespoon of soy sauce
2 Teaspoons of fresh thyme sprigs

2 cups / 1 can of French’s Crispy Fried Onions

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Bring a large stock pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook green beans for 3-4 minutes and transfer into a large bowl filled with ice water. This will stop the cooking process of the beans. Once cooled, drain and transfer beans to a separate large bowl.
  3. In a large sautè pan, melt butter on medium heat. Add in sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-10 minutes or until mushrooms are golden brown. Add in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
  4. In a large bowl, stir together the soup, half and half, black pepper, soy sauce, and thyme sprigs.
  5. Combine the soup mixture, mushrooms, 1/2 crunchy onions and green beans together. Transfer mixture to a large casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, top with remaining onions and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

*If making the recipe the night before, make up until step 4, cover with plastic wrap and wait to add the crunch onions until just before baking.

You may also enjoy:

  • Goat Cheese Bruschetta

  • Spicy Sausage Pasta

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep green bean casserole from being soupy? ›

The Casserole Is Too Soupy

Don't worry, there's a relatively easy and quick fix that will help soak up the excess liquid: Make a slurry of flour or cornstarch in liquid (broth or water) to help thicken it up and then cook it for a bit longer.

Which is better in green bean casserole canned or frozen? ›

When I make green bean casserole, I skip canned beans all together. Frozen green beans are the best green beans to use for green bean casserole.

Why is my green bean casserole always runny? ›

Green bean casserole should have a nice thick sauce that coats the green beans—it should not resemble soup. One common cause of a watery casserole is not adding enough thickener, such as flour or cornstarch, to your sauce.

What goes well with green bean casserole? ›

Stuffing, cornbread, and rice are also great options that will add some variety to your meal. If you're looking for something a little lighter, a shaved Brussels sprouts salad or roasted sweet potatoes might be just what you need. Another great option is to serve a protein alongside your green bean casserole.

Should green bean casserole be soupy before cooking? ›

Green Bean Casserole from Scratch FAQs

Cover and freeze until you are ready to bake. You can bake start from frozen without adding the onions until the casserole has already baked for about 20 minutes. Should green bean casserole be soupy? No, your green bean casserole should not be soupy.

How do you make a casserole less liquidy? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking. You can also substitute chickpea flour for cornstarch. Chickpea flour is an excellent thickener for savory dishes.

How many cans of green beans equals 4 cups? ›

✿ 4 cups of green beans is about 1½ pounds fresh or 16 ounces frozen or 2 cans (15 ounces each) drained.

Can you overcook green bean casserole? ›

Overcooking the beans won't just drain them of their appealing color, but it will also make them too soft and mushy, resulting in a less appetizing casserole.

How to make green bean casserole thicker? ›

Add a thickener

While your green bean casserole is on the stove, incorporate a thickener into the vegetables, such as cornstarch or flour. According to The Kitchn, you can combine cornstarch and a small amount of water or broth in a cup and stir until the lumps are gone, and it becomes a thick yet drizzly consistency.

Is green bean casserole better the next day? ›

If you're lucky enough to have any leftovers, Green Bean Casserole is delicious when reheated! Just know that the fried onions won't be crisp after being stored. But that's ok--simply sprinkle the casserole with a few more after heating. It will be a comforting addition to any lunch or leftovers dinner night.

How many days is green bean casserole good for? ›

Green Bean Casserole Leftovers

Your creamy green bean casserole will last about four days in the fridge. The crunchy topping will get softer as time goes by; pop it into the oven to reheat to crisp it up a bit. While casseroles have a reputation for being freezer-friendly, green bean casseroles don't freeze so well.

How to fancy up green beans? ›

15 Tips To Add Flavor To Green Beans
  1. Roast green beans. ...
  2. Blanch green beans and add butter. ...
  3. Grill green beans and serve with yogurt. ...
  4. Simmer green beans in chicken broth. ...
  5. Air fry green beans and add garlic powder. ...
  6. Roast in bacon fat and combine with bacon. ...
  7. Jazz them up with cream. ...
  8. Mix green beans into mac and cheese.
Feb 12, 2023

How many days does green bean casserole last in the fridge? ›

Stored properly, your leftover green bean casserole will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Freezing: Wrap your green bean casserole tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil, freezer wrap or transfer to an airtight container and keep in the freezer for 6 months.

How long can green bean casserole sit on the counter? ›

The casserole can sit out at room temperature for about an hour, then it should be reheated or stored in the fridge.

How do you fix soupy beans? ›

To thicken the broth in bean soup, you can try the following methods:
  1. Mashing a Portion of Beans: Gently mash a portion of the cooked beans against the side of the pot. ...
  2. Addition of Cornstarch or Flour: Create a slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch or flour with water. ...
  3. Use of Potato Flakes or Mash.
Apr 15, 2016

How do you reduce liquid in beans? ›

Simply keep your beans cooking over low heat to allow them to absorb more of the excess liquid, occasionally stirring until they look ready to eat. 2. Mash them more. Beans are very starchy and can absorb a lot of water.

How do you thicken green beans? ›

Flour or Cornstarch Thickening:Mix 1-2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch with equal parts water to create a smooth paste. Stir the paste into the simmering green beans. Allow the mixture to cook for a few more minutes until it thickens.

How do you thicken sauce with beans? ›

Take a can of beans with a cup of hot stock from the soup and blend together until smooth, then add back to pot. Or cook beans with soup and puree the entire soup, beans included. Beans add great fiber and protein, as well!

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