Fresh Twist on a Classic Recipe: How-to Make Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

Green bean casserole is a classic side dish that is often served during the holidays, but can also be enjoyed year round. While the traditional recipe calls for canned green beans, using fresh green beans can take this dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make green bean casserole with fresh green beans.

To start, you’ll want to wash and trim the fresh green beans by removing the stem and the stringy ends. Next, blanch the green beans in boiling water for a few minutes until they are slightly softened but still retain their vibrant green color. Then, you’ll want to create the creamy mushroom sauce by sautéing mushrooms, onions, and garlic in butter before adding flour and vegetable broth. Finally, you’ll combine the green beans with the mushroom sauce and bake it in the oven topped with crispy fried onions. This simple and flavorful dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and a family favorite.

10 Simple Steps to Making Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

Step 1: Sort and Clean the Green Beans

The first step to making green bean casserole with fresh green beans is to sort and clean them. Remove any discolored or damaged beans and wash the rest in cold water. Trim off the ends of the beans and cut them into bite-size pieces.

Step 2: Boil the Green Beans

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the green beans and cook them for 5-7 minutes until they are tender but still firm. Drain the green beans and set them aside.

Step 3: Fry the Onions

Heat some oil in a large skillet and add sliced onions. Cook the onions until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Mushroom Sauce

In the same skillet that you used for the onions, melt some butter and add sliced mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until they are tender and then add flour to the mixture. Stir in vegetable or chicken broth and simmer until the sauce thickens. Add salt, pepper, and dried thyme for flavor.

Step 5: Combine the Creamy Mushroom Sauce and Green Beans

Stir the creamy mushroom sauce into the cooked green beans and mix everything together well. Spread the mixture into a baking dish.

Step 6: Top the Casserole with Fried Onions

Sprinkle the fried onions over the top of the green bean mixture.

Step 7: Add Cheese for Extra Flavor (Optional)

If you want to add extra flavor to your green bean casserole, sprinkle some shredded cheese over the top of the fried onions.

Step 8: Bake the Casserole

Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the casserole for 20-25 minutes until it is bubbly and the top is golden brown.

Step 9: Let the Casserole Cool

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Step 10: Enjoy Your Delicious Green Bean Casserole!

Now that your green bean casserole is ready, it’s time to enjoy it! Serve it up with your favorite dish and enjoy the fresh, flavorful taste of a homemade dish.

Ingredients for Green Bean Casserole

One surefire way to make sure your green bean casserole comes out as good as possible is by having the right ingredients. Here are some of the ingredients that you will need to get started:

1. Green Beans – Fresh green beans should be used when making this casserole dish. You can find fresh green beans at your local supermarket or grocer.

2. Onion – This is an integral part of the green bean casserole. You can slice the onion and use it for both the casserole and onion topping.

3. Garlic – Garlic cloves can be minced and added to the dish for an added burst of flavor.

4. Cream of Mushroom Soup – Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup is the most common brand used for the casserole.

5. Milk – Any type of milk can be used, but whole milk or heavy cream give the casserole a creamier texture.

6. Cheese – Cheddar cheese or any other type of cheese can be added to the casserole for additional flavor.

7. Butter – This is used to cook the onions for the topping and the green beans.

8. Salt and Pepper – Add salt and pepper to taste.

9. Fried Onions – This is a classic topping for green bean casserole. You can easily pick up a can of fried onions at your local supermarket.

10. Breadcrumbs – Breadcrumbs can also be sprinkled on top of the casserole for an added crunch.

Now that you have all of the ingredients, let’s start making the casserole.

Ingredients

First things first, let’s talk about the essential ingredients you need to make your green bean casserole with fresh green beans. Of course, fresh green beans are a must, but here are the other ingredients you’ll need:

The Steps

Now that you have all of your ingredients, let’s get started on making your fresh green bean casserole.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

The first thing you want to do is preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Prep the Green Beans

Next, you’ll need to prep your fresh green beans by washing them, removing their ends, and slicing them in half. Then, you’ll want to blanch them by boiling them for about 5 minutes and then immediately transferring them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.

Step 3: Sauté the Onion

Take your medium onion and slice it into thin half-moons. Then, heat your pan with 3 tablespoons of butter and sauté the onions until they turn golden brown.

Step 4: Mix the Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix together cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Once mixed, add in your green beans and sautéed onions and stir until everything is evenly coated.

Step 5: Bake the Casserole

Pour your mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes. Then, remove the dish from the oven and top with your fried onions before baking for an additional 5-10 minutes.

And voila! You have yourself a delicious green bean casserole with fresh green beans. Serve it up and enjoy!

Enjoy Your Fresh Green Bean Casserole!

We really hope you found this article helpful in making your own green bean casserole using fresh green beans. As we said before, this dish is a classic American dish that you don’t want to miss out on, especially during the holidays. Making it from scratch is not only easy but also so much more flavorful than the canned version. Plus, it’s a great way to incorporate some vegetables into your diet! Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to check back in for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Happy cooking!