Green Bean Casserole

This upscale version of the classic Green Bean Casserole takes the flavors of a holiday standby and elevates it with fresh, flavorful ingredients! Tender green beans are combined with onions and mushrooms in a savory cream sauce. Top it with the fried French onions for crunch, and you have the perfect side dish for any meal!

What is the side dish you always look forward to eating for Thanksgiving dinner?
My husband loves a good cornbread dressing. I absolutely can’t wait for Twice-Baked Potato Casserole. If yours is Green Bean Casserole, then you have to try making it this way! I promise, even though it requires a few more steps than using canned ingredients, it is still an easy recipe to put together, and the end product is worth the extra work!

Why Green Bean Casserole is a Classic Holiday Dish

Green bean casserole is a perfect dish for holiday entertaining because it is simple, fairly cheap, and can easily be made ahead of time. Thanksgiving especially requires a lot of meal prep, so having a quick casserole to throw together cuts down on time in the kitchen!

Nowadays, we often share our holiday meals with family and friends, and everyone loves to contribute. When you are not responsible for the whole meal yourself, you can spend a little more time preparing something special. That is where this easy green bean casserole recipe comes in handy!

Ingredients for Homemade Green Bean Casserole

You won’t find canned soup in this list of ingredients. While I love the versatility of cream of mushroom soup, making your own mushroom sauce adds just a touch of elegance to this dish. Plus, you can avoid extra salt and preservatives if that’s something that matters to you.

Here’s what you will need to make this delicious addition to your Thanksgiving table:

• 1 pounds of fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed, and cut in half
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 ounces sliced white mushrooms
• 1 small yellow onion, minced
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ⅓ cup sherry
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup whole milk
• 1 cup French’s Fried Onions

Step-by-Step Directions for Making Green Bean Casserole

Whether you are a seasoned chef or new to cooking, anyone can make this recipe! Here’s how to make this classic holiday side dish:

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray an 8 X 8 baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.

Blanching the green beans

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 5 minutes. Remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and immediately place them in a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain the green beans and set aside for later.

Assembling the casserole

In a large skillet, melt the butter, then add olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the fresh mushrooms and onions, then sauté for 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour, salt and pepper over the mixture and stir until flour is not visible.

Slowly add chicken broth to the skillet, stirring as you mix. Continue to stir until the mixture starts to thicken, about one minute.

Lower the heat to medium-low and add sherry, Worcestershire sauce, cream, and milk. Cook for about three minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the green beans and coat in the creamy mushroom sauce.

Pour the green bean mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the fried onions and bake for 18-20 minutes. If the topping browns too quickly, you can cover it with aluminum foil the last 7 minutes or so. Remove from the oven and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

• To make this gluten-free, omit the flour and use a cornstarch slurry for thickening.
• Don’t like fried onions? Top this with Panko breadcrumbs instead!

What are the best mushrooms for this dish?

I used white button mushrooms as they are mild, versatile, and easy to find at the grocery store. You can use your favorite mushrooms in this dish, though. Consider cremini, chantarelle, or shiitake mushrooms!

How to store leftover Green Bean Casserole

Let your casserole cool to room temperature, then cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can also transfer it to an airtight container.

Can you freeze Green Bean Casserole?

I recommend preparing the casserole ingredients and freezing them before baking since the topping can go soggy when thawed.

Prepare the recipe as directed, minus the fried onions, and pour it into a freezer and oven-safe container. Cover with aluminum foil or a freezer-safe lid and place the casserole in the freezer for up to a month.

Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before you need to bake it. On the day of, just top the casserole with the fried onions and bake!

Try these Thanksgiving Recipes!

If you’re in charge of some (or all!) of Thanksgiving this year, you’ll need these tasty recipes to complete your holiday table:

Appetizers

• Deviled Eggs– These creamy eggs are always a hit at parties! Set out a tray of deviled eggs for snacking while the cooking happens in the kitchen!
• Holiday Cheese Ball– assemble this nutty cheese ball ahead of time and serve it with your favorite crackers, pretzels, veggies, and baguette slices for snacking.

Side Dishes

• Creamed Corn is another classic holiday side dish full of creamy goodness! 
• Green Bean Almondine– this side dish featuring fresh green beans is fresh and flavorful with plenty of crunch!
• Spinach Salad with Sweet Potatoes– serve this salad when you need something healthy on your holiday table!
• Sweet Potato Biscuits – These sweet and salty biscuits are great alone or with your meal.
• Gruyere Scalloped Sweet Potatoes– cheese and potatoes—what’s not to love?
• Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts – if you’re not a fan of brussel sprouts, this recipe will convert you!

Desserts

• Apple Pie– this seasonal pie is a classic for good reason! Even novice bakers can make this delicious pie!
• Apple Pear Crisp– try this fall recipe for an alternative to pie. It tastes just as good without all the work!

This post was originally published December 22, 2016. It has been updated with pictures and in format on November 14, 2024.