With only 5 ingredients, this Green Bean Casserole recipe is so easy to make! It will be your new go-to for Thanksgiving.
What's In This Article
Classic Green Bean Casserole
Who is ready for the days of traditional food that we all look forward to? Green Bean Casserole is always on my list of dishes to enjoy for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I feel like every family makes it, but has their own spin. This recipe is the most basic of green bean casseroles. Feel free to add a signature ingredient or spice blend to make it unique.
In addition to this casserole, you better believe that homemade bread and deviled eggs are also on the table. Macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and corn casserole are also very popular around our home.
Ever since I was a kid, I remember having Green Bean Casserole. The simplicity of it is what gets me. It doesn’t take a ton of ingredients and it’s not hard to make.
It’s also ideal to make ahead, freeze or bing as a potluck dish. Blend and bake the main green bean mixture and then top and reheat quick at your event.
Ingredients
What’s in Green Bean Casserole? If you’ve never made or had Green Bean Casserole, you may be wondering what is in it?! This is simple! You’ll obviously need green beans, they are the hero of this dish.
I prefer to use fresh green beans, but I have a note in the recipe if you’d prefer to use frozen green beans instead.
PRO TIP: Don’t discount frozen vegetables. They have just as much nutritional value as fresh and sometimes even more since they are flash frozen right after harvesting.
Along with green beans, there is Cream of Mushroom soup. Another staple in the Green Bean Casserole department. Adding soup takes out the need for additional seasoning, make a roux and adding mushrooms. The ultimate casserole hack.
There is one special ingredient in my recipe though. That ingredient is lemon juice!
A little acidity really brings the dish together and adds a bright layer. You can also substitute white wine or just omit it.
Last but not least, the ingredient we all love is the French fried onions. They might be my favorite part. You can make your own or buy them in a can.
What Can You Serve with Green Bean Casserole?
Are you kidding? You can serve anything with this wonderful dish! You just can’t go wrong with it. My favorites are to serve it with the turkey at Thanksgiving. However, it always goes well with ham too.
One of my favorite side dishes to go along with this dish is sweet potatoes! A little savory and a little sweet goes a long way. Especially with a salty turkey or ham.
What Makes Green Bean Casserole So Tasty?
I think this question has a few answers. The creamy sauce has to be one of the reasons Americans find this dish to appealing. As the casserole bakes, the cream of mushroom soup breaks down into a velvety deliciousness.
But also the nogastia. I honestly don’t see folks making this dish other than Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is silly. Why not?
lastly, the fried onions on top make this dish super crunchy, which is why it’s so popular.
How Do You Make Green Bean Casserole?
Making this casserole is super easy! You will first want to bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add the salt and green beans to the boiling water, cooking for 6-8 minutes.
Drain the beans, and then combine with cream of mushroom soup and lemon juice in a large bowl. Stir the bean mixture until everything is well combined.
Next, coat a baking dish with cooking spray, and add the bean mixture to it. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly.
Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle with the crispy onions. Put it back in the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
And that’s it! You are ready to serve. If you have cheese lovers in your family, you could certainly top with 1/2 cup of shredded cheese, but I usually just stick with salt and pepper.
Making ahead of time and freezing it is also an option. Check everything you need to know about freezing, storing and making a green bean casserole ahead of time.
With the holidays rapidly approaching, I hope you enjoy this classic casserole. Green Bean Casserole is something we have every holiday.
What’s your favorite part of this dish? Let us know in the comments.
Check out these other Thanksgiving recipes:
- Delicious and Unique Thanksgiving Sides
- How to Brine a Turkey
- Best Thanksgiving Desserts
- Thanksgiving Punch
- Sweet Butternut Squash Casserole
- Vegetarian Stuffing
Classic Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh green beans*
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 10.5 ounces Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 1/3 cups French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9×9 casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add 2 teaspoons Kosher salt.
- Cook beans for 6-8 minutes or until tender. Drain well.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine beans, cream of mushroom soup and lemon juice.
- Transfer mixture to baking dish.
- Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes or until bubbly.
- Remove and sprinkle with French fried onions, bake for 5 additional minutes or until onions are crispy.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Notes
1. Drain beans
2. Mix in soup and lemon juice
3. Add mixture to baking dish
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until bubbly.
5. Sprinkle with fried onions, bake for 5 additional minutes or until onions are crispy Frozen beans – 20 ounce bag
1. Thaw and drain frozen beans
2. Cook beans according to instructions on bag
3. Add beans to mixing bowl
4. Mix in soup and lemon juice
5. Add mixture to baking dish
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until bubbly.
7. Sprinkle with fried onions, bake for 5 additional minutes or until onions are crispy
Love a good classic green bean casserole and this looks perfect! It’s been ages I have made it and can’t wait to make it with this recipe of yours !
Yum! This is my favorite holiday dish. Thanks for including adjustments for frozen and canned all in one place!
A must for Thanksgiving! I love the addition of the lemon juice in your version! It adds so much more flavor!
Green bean casserole is comfort food at its best. Can’t get any better than this
Your secret ingredient is genius! Hands down, this is one of my favorite holiday recipes!