Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe - Thanksgiving Favorite Side Dish

The Classic Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a beloved Thanksgiving tradition in many households. This classic recipe combines fresh green beans, cream of mushroom soup, fried onions, and savory seasonings to create a creamy, crispy, and irresistible side dish.

The History of Green Bean Casserole

The green bean casserole was invented in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly while working in the Campbell's Soup Company test kitchen. Dorcas came up with the recipe to showcase how easy it was to create delicious dishes using Campbell's cream of mushroom soup. The recipe quickly became popular and over 20 million copies were distributed when it first came out.

Since 1955, the green bean casserole has graced Thanksgiving tables across America. The dish is now ingrained into our holiday traditions as much as turkey, mashed potatoes, or pumpkin pie. Its crisp, fried onion topping and rich, creamy mushroom sauce are hallmarks of the perfect Thanksgiving meal.

Choosing the Best Ingredients

While the ingredients in green bean casserole are simple, choosing high-quality products can take this classic dish to the next level. When selecting your ingredients, here are some tips:

• Look for fresh, crisp green beans rather than canned varieties.
• Use cream of mushroom soup - this is the key to creamy sauce.
• Choose fried onions or freshly chopped onions for crunch.
• Flavor with spices like black pepper, garlic powder, or thyme.

Step-By-Step Recipe

Making this quintessential Thanksgiving casserole at home is easy. Follow these simple steps:

1. Wash and trim 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans. Steam until tender yet crisp.
2. In a casserole dish, mix a 10 3⁄4 ounce can cream of mushroom soup with 1⁄2 cup milk. Stir in black pepper and other spices.
3. Add the steamed green beans and toss until evenly coated.
4. Top with crispy fried onions or freshly fried chopped onions.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until hot and bubbling.

And that's all there is to it! As the casserole bakes, your kitchen will fill with the irresistible aromas of cream, green beans, and fried onions.

Unique Twists on Green Bean Casserole

While the classic recipe reigns supreme, over the years home cooks have come up with creative spins on green bean casserole by incorporating different ingredients:

Broccoli and Cheese

For a cheesy twist, try swapping out some green beans for broccoli florets. Then sprinkle shredded cheddar, Parmesan, or Gruyere over the casserole before baking. The cheeses will melt into a bubbly, golden layer over the veggies.

Mushrooms

Sautéed mushrooms pair perfectly with green beans. For extra mushroom flavor, use mushroom soup instead of cream of mushroom. Adding meaty mushrooms gives this side a heartiness akin to a main dish.

Bacon and Fried Shallots

Crispy bacon makes just about everything better. Chop some bacon and fry until crispy, then sprinkle over the casserole along with fried shallots instead of onions for a gourmet crunch.

Breadcrumb Topping

For a dynamic texture, create a buttery breadcrumb topping. Toss panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this herby goodness over your casserole.

Tips for the Best Green Bean Casserole

With these handy tips and tricks, you'll have the crown jewel of Thanksgiving sides on your table:

Cook the Green Beans Properly

Avoid using canned beans which can get mushy when baked. Steam fresh trimmed green beans until just fork tender. This ensures they'll hold their shape and texture.

Nail the Sauce

The scrumptious mushroom sauce binds everything together. Use cream of mushroom soup, not plain mushroom soup. Dilute with milk to reach ideal creamy consistency.

Achieve Max Crunch Factor

The crispy onions or fried shallots should be sprinkled over the casserole right before serving. This preserves that delightful crunch in every bite rather than getting soggy in the oven.

Make Ahead

You can prepare the green bean mixture, soup sauce, and topping a day in advance. Just store each component separately and assemble when ready to bake and serve. This frees up precious oven space on Thanksgiving Day!

Green bean casserole enjoys well-deserved rockstar status on any Thanksgiving spread. With flavorful ingredients and a few easy tricks, you can recreate Dorcas Reilly's iconic recipe for showstopping success.

FAQs

Can I prepare green bean casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to a day before and store the components separately - green beans, soup sauce, crispy onions. Just assemble everything when ready to bake.

What kind of green beans work best?

Fresh and crisp green beans are best to avoid mushiness after baking. Trim the ends before steaming briefly until fork tender.

Do I have to use cream of mushroom soup?

Yes, cream of mushroom is key for the iconic creamy sauce. Do not substitute regular mushroom soup or it will not have the same flavor and texture.

What's the best topping?

Crispy fried onions from a can or jar are classic. You can also fry up fresh onions for crunch. Other toppings like panko crumbs, bacon, or cheese are tasty too.