Classic Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

This is the ultimate green bean casserole recipe made completely from scratch! This classic casserole dish uses fresh green beans, a creamy homemade mushroom sauce and homemade crispy fried onions. Whether you make this for Thanksgiving dinner or just an average weeknight, this classic green bean casserole is always a hit – no cans needed!

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Homemade green bean casserole is an absolute staple on every Thanksgiving table. But this is not the gloppy cream soup casserole of your childhood. The flavor of the homemade creamy mushroom sauce is out of this world, and the fresh green beans and homemade onion rings make all the difference. I’ve never understood why so many Thanksgiving recipes involve cans or boxes… it’s a special occasion that only comes around once a year, so it doesn’t hurt to put in a little extra effort to make every dish as delicious as possible.

the best green bean casserole

I know you have a lot of green bean casserole recipes to choose from, but let me tell you why this one is the best green bean casserole recipe. Let’s talk about all of the real ingredients in this comforting casserole. The fresh ingredients make all the difference! Fresh green beans – not frozen. Not canned. No cans, remember?

Using fresh beans is the best way to get the tender texture of delicious green beans without them being too soft of mushy. The creamy sauce made totally from scratch is actually to die for. Fresh mushrooms and onions sautéed in butter and garlic are the perfect way to start the homemade cream of mushroom soup. Finished with heavy cream and chicken stock, this good-for-you mushroom gravy gives alllll the comfort food vibes we’re looking for on that holiday table. Last but certainly not least, making your own crispy onions from scratch is the ultimate topping on this fresh green bean casserole. Have I convinced you yet?

ingredients you’ll need –

• Fresh green beans
• Butter
• Garlic Powder
• Yellow onion
• Shittake mushrooms
• Organic flour
• Heavy cream
• Chicken stock
• Monterey Jack cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Avocado oil (for frying)

tools you may need –

• Stock pot
• 12-inch cast iron skillet
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Liquid measuring cup
• Casserole dish

how to make green bean casserole from scratch –

green beans:

To make this creamy green bean casserole, start by blanching the fresh green beans. Bring a stock pot of water to a boil. When it has reached a rolling boil, drop in those green beans and boil them for 2-3 minutes. This will not cook them completely, but will give you some beautifully bright green crisp-tender green beans. While they are boiling, fill a bowl with ice water. After a few minutes, strain off the hot water and dump the green beans into an ice bath. This will stop them from cooking any further. You can leave them in the ice bath while you make the incredible creamy mushroom sauce.

mushroom sauce from scratch:

This classic Thanksgiving side dish would not be complete without a savory cream sauce. Of course, we’re going to make a homemade version in place of the questionable canned version. What’s in that stuff, anyway? This homemade mushroom gravy can also be served on its own alongside a roast or chicken. Save the recipe for this awesome sauce!

To make the creamy mushroom sauce, melt butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet on medium heat. Chop of half of that yellow onion (save the rest for the crispy onion topping) and saute mushrooms and onions in butter for 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic powder, salt and pepper. When the onions are starting to turn golden brown, sprinkle the flour over the top and stir the mixture until the flour has absorbed all of the liquid. Next, turn the heat down to medium-low, add the heavy cream and allow to simmer for a few minutes. Finally, pour in the chicken stock, stir it all up and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.

When the beans are blanched and sauce is just about finished, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Next, assemble the casserole in a baking dish. I used a 2.5 quart casserole dish. Layer half of the green beans on the bottom of the dish. Pour half of the mushroom sauce over the beans. Layer the rest of the beans over the sauce, and then pour the remaining sauce over the top of the casserole. Finish with a layer of shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Bake covered for 20 minutes and uncovered for the final 10-15 minutes – until the cheese is browned and the sauce is bubbly.

homemade crispy fried onions:

While the green bean casserole is baking, make the delicious crispy fried onion topping. No shade on the store-bought french fried onions, but I think we can up the ante for a special holiday dinner. 🙂 In a 12-inch cast iron skillet, heat about 1/2 inch of avocado or coconut oil on medium-high heat. Slice the remaining half of the yellow onion into thin rings. Mix the flour and salt in a bowl, and dredge the onions in the flour mixture. Drop into the heat and fry until they are golden brown – about 2 minutes. Dry them on a paper towel. It is best not to crowd the pan, so you will probably have to do a few rounds of onions before they’re done.

When the delicious, traditional green bean casserole is done baking, top with the freshly fried crispy onion rings and serve! This is truly the perfect side dish and this green bean casserole from scratch is definitely going to be a hit at your Thanksgiving celebration.

tips for making green bean casserole ahead:

-The beans can be blanched up to 3 days ahead of time. Follow the instructions to blanch and ice green beans, then strain and store in the fridge in an airtight container.

-Make the mushroom sauce ahead of time and store tightly sealed in a glass jar in the fridge. If it is too thick when you take it out to use it, just stir in a little more chicken stock until it reaches the right consistency.

-Shred the cheese ahead of time and store in a ziploc in the fridge.

-The crispy onions can be made ahead of time too, they will just need to baked to give them a crispy texture again. Bake them on a baking sheet at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes, or until they are crispy.

how to store leftover green bean casserole:

Store leftover green bean casserole in the fridge sealed in an airtight container, and reheat in the oven in a baking dish. One of the best things about Thanksgiving is not having to cook again for the rest of the week as we enjoy all of the leftovers!

Check back over the next few weeks for more Thanksgiving recipes! Homemade cranberry sauce, sourdough apple stuffing, sweet potato casserole and more are soon to come!

try these other homemade Thanksgiving favorites!!

• Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice and Honey
• Sourdough Stuffing with Sausage, Apples and Sage
• The Best Pumpkin Pie From Scratch

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