In the realm of classic American comfort food, few dishes evoke nostalgia and family gatherings quite like the iconic green bean casserole. This culinary delight, often gracing the tables during Thanksgiving and holiday feasts, is a harmonious blend of crisp-tender green beans, creamy mushroom soup, savory fried onions, and a golden-brown topping. Its origins can be traced back to the mid-20th century, with variations evolving over time. This article offers a comprehensive guide to creating the perfect homemade green bean casserole, presenting three distinct recipes that cater to diverse preferences.
1. **Classic Green Bean Casserole:** This recipe stays true to the traditional version, utilizing canned cream of mushroom soup and crispy French-fried onions to achieve that comforting, familiar flavor.
2. **Healthy Green Bean Casserole:** For those seeking a lighter and healthier rendition, this recipe swaps out the condensed soup for a homemade mushroom sauce, using Greek yogurt and almond milk to create a creamy base. Additionally, it incorporates whole wheat bread crumbs for a nutritious and flavorful topping.
3. **Southern Green Bean Casserole:** This recipe adds a touch of Southern charm with the inclusion of bacon, diced tomatoes, and a hint of Creole seasoning. The result is a casserole with a smoky, savory flavor that is sure to impress.
Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, ingredient lists, and cooking tips to ensure success in the kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice venturing into the world of casseroles, this article equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to create a memorable green bean casserole that will delight family and friends alike.
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE WITH HOMEMADE MUSHROOM GRAVY
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until they just turn bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. (You don't want to cook the green beans through as they will cook in the oven also.) Strain and plunge the green beans immediately in a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. When cool, drain and set out to dry on paper towels.
- Set a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and vegetable oil. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add the mushrooms. Cook undisturbed so the mushrooms sear nicely, about 1 minute. Add the thyme and garlic and continue cooking the mushrooms to achieve some nice color. Season with the salt, pepper, cayenne and nutmeg. Cook 2 to 3 more minutes longer, dusting the mushrooms with some of the flour as they release moisture. Stir with a whisk to incorporate the flour (just like making a roux) and gradually add in the chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and add the sour cream and cream. Stir gently and cook over low heat until gravy thickens, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the blanched green beans to the pan and fold together so everything is mixed well. Spread out evenly in the pan. Sprinkle the green beans with the grated Parmesan and transfer to a roasting tray (to catch any spill-over). Bake until the casserole is bubbly and the top is melted and golden, 15 minutes.
- Pour the vegetable oil into a deep skillet and heat to 350 degrees F. Pour the flour into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Toss the shallot rounds in the seasoned flour, then place in a strainer and shake off any excess flour. Fry the shallots in the hot oil in small batches until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and season with salt while still hot.
- Top the green bean casserole with the fried shallots and serve.
HOMEMADE GREEN BEAN AND MUSHROOM CASSEROLE
Categories Vegetable Side Thanksgiving Casserole/Gratin Fall
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Onions: Slice onion in half; place the flat half down on your cutting board and slice each half into thin rounds. Place in a baking dish and cover with buttermilk and soak for at least an hour. Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Heat oil in small fryer or large dutch oven to 375 degrees. Grab a handful of onions, throw into the flour mixture, tap to shake off excess, and plunge into hot oil. Fry for a few minutes and remove as soon as golden brown. Repeat until onions are gone. Casserole: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add beans and cook until deep green and tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt 2 tbsp of butter on medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until they start sweating liquid, about 4 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Continue cooking, stirring often, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until it evaporates, about 3 minutes. Remove the mushroom mixture to a separate bowl. Combine the milk, cream, and chicken stock and bring to a simmer in a saucepan. Melt the remaining 4 tbsp butter in the Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk until creamy; about 2 minutes. Add the hot milk mixture and continue cooking, whisking frequently, until thickened, about 15 minutes. Whisk in Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Stir the mushroom mixture into the cream sauce and simmer, whisking frequently, for about 5 minutes for the flavors to marry. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper. Stir the green beans into the mushroom sauce and toss to combine. Pour the green bean mixture into a large, buttered casserole dish (about 2 quarts). Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Add the grated cheddar and crispy onion strings and bake uncovered until cheese is melted; about 15 minutes.
HEALTHIER HOMEMADE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
Almond milk and dry white wine combine to make a lighter sauce for this homemade green bean casserole featuring mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and thyme.
Provided by coweed
Categories Side Dish Casseroles Green Bean Casserole Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a small baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray.
- Toss almonds with brown sugar, 1 tablespoon water, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Spread on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven, stirring once, until toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool; break apart clusters.
- Cook green beans in lightly salted boiling water in a large skillet, covered, about 5 minutes. Drain. Transfer beans to a large bowl of ice water; drain again. Place in a large bowl.
- Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, shallots, garlic, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until mushrooms are browned and tender and any liquid has evaporated, about 8 minutes. Add to beans and toss to coat. Transfer to a 1 1/2- to 2-quart baking dish.
- Whisk almond milk, wine, cornstarch, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add to skillet; cook, stirring, over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, scraping up any browned bits, 4 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chives. Pour over bean mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake until bubbly, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with almonds. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 156.3 calories, Carbohydrate 17.7 g, Fat 6.8 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 298 mg, Sugar 7.4 g
HOMEMADE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE WITHOUT CONDENSED SOUP
Homemade Green Bean Casserole made without condensed soup. So creamy and delicious!
Provided by Elyse
Yield 8-10
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Add beans to boiling water and let boil for 5 minutes.
- Drain beans and add mushrooms then set aside.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and parsley and cook for a few minutes until onion is tender.
- Whisk in flour, salt and pepper until well combined then gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Whisk in sour cream and continue stirring over medium heat until sauce begins to bubble.
- Fold in green beans and mushrooms until evenly coated.
- Add half the cheese and fried onions and mix until well combined.
- Pour green bean mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese and onions on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Servingsize 1 serving, Calories 281 kcal, Fat 2 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 54 mg, Carbohydrate 63 g, Sugar 29 g, Protein 17 mg
HOMEMADE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
If you think you don't like green bean casserole, withhold judgment until you've tried this entirely from-scratch version. It has all the classic elements of the Thanksgiving favorite, but its base is a mushroom gravy amped up with red-wine vinegar, red-pepper flakes and fresh thyme rather than a can of soup. If you don't want to fry the onions yourself (we understand), you can always substitute 1 1/2 cups store-bought fried onions or even crispier fried shallots.
Provided by Sarah Jampel
Categories casseroles, side dish
Time 1h45m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Make the onions: In a medium bowl, combine the onions with the flour, bread crumbs and salt, and toss to coat the onion pieces.
- In a heavy skillet with high sides, pour enough oil to reach 1/2-inch up the side. Heat over medium-high until the oil is hot - a drop of water should sizzle and sputter when flicked into the oil.
- Add the onions in batches, taking care not to overcrowd them. Fry until golden-brown (they don't have to be deep brown, as they'll continue cooking in the oven), about 5 to 6 minutes, then use a slotted spoon or a pair of tongs to transfer to paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Repeat until you've fried all of the onions.
- Butter a shallow 4-quart baking dish and heat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of water to a boil with an ice bath nearby. When boiling, salt the water generously, add the green beans, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until slightly tender and bright green. Immediately transfer beans to the ice bath. When beans are chilled, drain and set aside.
- Pour water out of the pot, wipe dry and return to the stovetop. Over medium-high heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. When melted, add the red-pepper flakes and thyme, and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown significantly, 8 to 10 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt and sliced garlic and stir until fragrant, another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour all over and stir to coat the mushrooms. Gradually add the stock and milk, and bring to a simmer, stirring all the while. Turn the heat down to medium and continue to stir until the sauce is thick and creamy and coats the back of a spoon, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Add nutmeg, black pepper, vinegar and Worcestershire, if using. Taste for salt, pepper and acidity.
- Add the green beans and half of the onions, stir to combine, and transfer to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining onions and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until bubbling. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 390, UnsaturatedFat 28 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 34 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 462 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Choose fresh green beans: Look for beans that are bright green and crisp. Avoid beans that are limp or have brown spots.
- Trim the green beans: Remove the ends of the green beans. You can use a sharp knife or a bean trimmer.
- Cook the green beans until they are tender-crisp: You can boil, steam, or sauté the green beans. Cook them until they are just tender, but still have a slight crunch.
- Make the cream sauce: The cream sauce is made with butter, flour, milk, and cream. You can also add other ingredients to the sauce, such as cheese, garlic, or onion.
- Assemble the casserole: Layer the green beans, cream sauce, and fried onions in a casserole dish. Bake the casserole until it is bubbly and hot.
- Serve the casserole immediately: Green bean casserole is best served hot. You can garnish it with fresh parsley or chives.
Conclusion:
Green bean casserole is a classic holiday dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its creamy sauce, crispy onions, and tender-crisp green beans, it's the perfect side dish for any special occasion. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make holiday dish, give this homemade green bean casserole a try. You won't be disappointed!
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