A Delicious Twist on a Classic: Green Bean Casserole Recipe with Fresh Green Beans
This timeless classic American side dish, 'Green Bean Casserole,' is often served during the holidays, especially Thanksgiving.
We give it a fresh and vibrant twist by replacing canned beans with fresh garden beans and topping it with cheese for an added layer of indulgence.
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You can prepare this simple dish a day ahead, making it ideal for holiday gatherings.
Serve this scrumptious side dish for Thanksgiving alongside the Perfect Roast Turkey, Homemade Sourdough Dinner Rolls, Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes, and Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice for a family feast.
The Beauty of Fresh Green Beans
Green Bean Casserole is traditionally made with canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and French fried onions.
I love using fresh green beans in this classic green bean casserole dish to add a crisp texture and a brighter flavor, all while saving time.
It also gives me better control over the cooking process, ensuring the beans are cooked to my desired level of tenderness and preventing the dish from becoming soggy.
I always blanch some green beans from my garden during the summer and keep them in the freezer to use in the winter.
They save me time when I want to prepare dishes like Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans and Mediterranean Green Beans (Taze Fasulye).
Why This Recipe Works?
- Using fresh green beans instead of canned ones adds a vibrant, natural flavor and crispness that canned beans can't match.
- Despite the use of fresh beans, this best green bean casserole recipe remains relatively simple and quick to prepare, making it perfect for a holiday table.
- You can customize it with different add-ons such as cajun spices, bacon, or herbs.
- This classic side dish is perfect for preparation in advance, offering convenience for busy holiday meals.
Ingredients You'll Need
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.
- Fresh green beans - When selecting fresh green beans, opt for those that are firm, smooth, and vibrant in color. The most delicious green beans are harvested when they are young and tender, providing the best flavor and texture.
- Mushroom soup - The original recipe uses Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, but you can substitute it with any condensed mushroom soup you prefer.
- Fried onions - You can use any type of crispy fried onions or even fried shallots for this recipe.
- Milk - I prefer using semi-skimmed milk to thin the mushroom sauce. Adjust the quantity based on your soup's thickness.
- Soy sauce - While soy sauce may seem like an unusual ingredient to add to green bean casserole, it brings a savory kick and complements the creamy sauce. Kikkoman all-purpose soy sauce works great with this recipe.
- Cheese - It adds an extra savory layer to the dish. I prefer a mixture of mature cheddar cheese and Gruyère cheese. However, you can use any of your favorite hard cheeses, such as pepper jack, Monterey jack, or even Parmesan.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this delicious Green Bean Casserole Recipe is pretty straightforward.
However, there are a few tips and tricks that you should follow to achieve the best results:
Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C).
Wash the fresh green beans and trim the ends.
You can choose to leave them whole or cut them into bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference.
In a large pot, bring water to a boil on medium-high heat and add a teaspoon of salt.
Blanch the green beans for about 4-5 minutes until they become bright green.
Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the canned soup, milk, soy sauce, 100 g crispy onions, black pepper, and salt.
Mix these ingredients until well combined.
Add the blanched tender green beans to the bowl and give them a good stir, ensuring the green beans are well coated with the sauce.
Place the green bean mixture in a baking dish or casserole.
Sprinkle the remaining French-fried onions evenly over the top of the beans, and then scatter the grated cheese on top of the fried onions.
Place the casserole in the preheated oven, and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Top Tips From the Chef
- When selecting fresh green beans, opt for those that are firm, smooth, and vibrant in color.
- When blanching, ensure you add a teaspoon of salt to the boiling water.
- Avoid overcooking the green beans. They should turn bright green and stay crispy. Quickly place them in an ice bath to keep their color and crunch.
- Gruyère and cheddar are excellent options but feel free to explore other varieties like Parmesan, Swiss, or even a blend for unique flavors.
- Watch the salt in your soup and soy sauce; adjust the added salt to avoid over-seasoning.
- Prepare the casserole in advance, cover it, and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. This can save you time on busy days or during holiday meal prep.
What to Serve with Green Bean Casserole?
Roast Turkey, Beef Sirloin Tip Roast, or Honey Glazed Baked Ham is a classic choice for Thanksgiving or holiday meals, as it complements the creamy and savory flavors of the casserole.
The other side dishes to complement the green bean casserole are:
Pomme Puree - Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Homemade Sourdough Dinner Rolls
Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Recipe Variations
- Add crispy bacon bits for a smoky flavor.
- Incorporate a mix of sautéed fresh mushrooms like shiitake, cremini, and oyster for a richer and earthier taste.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to add some heat to the dish.
- Top the casserole with sliced almonds for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Mix panko breadcrumbs with fresh herbs such as parsley and thyme, and then sprinkle this mixture over the casserole in place of fried onions.
- Use homemade mushroom sauce instead of canned soup.
- Crumble blue cheese and sprinkle chopped walnuts on top of the casserole for a gourmet touch.
Storage and Reheating
Allow the leftovers to cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. It will keep for up to five days when refrigerated.
I don't recommend freezing green bean casserole dish.
To reheat, cover the casserole with tin foil and place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until it's heated through.
Recipe FAQs
To avoid a soggy casserole, make sure to blanch the green beans until they are crisp-tender, and don't over-saturate the dish with sauce.
Yes, green bean casserole can be made in advance. Prepare the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate.
Add the fried onions and cheese just before baking.
Absolutely! You can easily scale down this classic holiday side dish to make a smaller portion if you're serving a smaller group.
Related Recipes
For more delicious Thanksgiving side dishes why not try:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below, tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram, and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making this Fresh Green Bean Casserole Recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!
Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 kg fresh green beans
- 300 ml condensed mushroom soup
- ½ cup semi-skimmed or full-fat milk
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (+ 1 teaspoon salt for boiling water)
- 150 g fried onions (100 g and 50 g separately)
- 80 g Gruyère or/and cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C).
- Wash the fresh green beans and trim the ends. You can choose to leave them whole or cut them into bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil on medium-high heat and add a teaspoon of salt. Blanch the green beans for about 4-5 minutes until they become bright green.
- Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the condensed mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, 100g fried onions, black pepper, and salt. Mix these ingredients until well combined.
- Add the blanched green beans to the bowl and give them a good stir, ensuring the green beans are well coated with the sauce
- Place the green beans in a baking dish or casserole, sprinkle the remaining fried onions evenly over the top of the beans, and then scatter the grated cheese on top of the fried onions.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven, and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- When selecting fresh green beans, opt for those that are firm, smooth, and vibrant in color. <
- When blanching, ensure you add a teaspoon of salt to the boiling water.
- Avoid overcooking the green beans. They should turn bright green and stay crispy. Quickly place them in an ice bath to keep their color and crunch.
- Gruyère and cheddar are excellent options, but feel free to explore other varieties like Parmesan, Swiss, or even a blend for unique flavors.
- Watch the salt in your soup and soy sauce; adjust added salt to avoid over-seasoning.
- Prepare the casserole in advance, cover it, and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. This can save you time on busy days or during holiday meal prep.
Nutrition
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