Fresh Green Bean Casserole
This Fresh Green Bean Casserole is an elevated version of the classic recipe. It features fresh green beans and mushrooms, plus it’s loaded with flavor; no canned green beans here! It’s the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, and will have everyone asking for seconds!
For more Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes, be sure to check out my Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole, Apple Sausage Stuffing, and Million Dollar Deviled Eggs.
No Thanksgiving table is complete without the classic Green Bean Casserole. It’s holiday comfort food at its finest. BUT I’m telling you right now; once you try this Fresh Green Bean Casserole (made with deliciously fresh and tender green beans) you will never go back to the traditional canned version!
Green bean casserole tends to be a very divisive holiday dish. Similar to cranberry sauce or even turkey; people either seem to love it or hate it.
I’ve actually never been a huge fan of green bean casserole myself in all the years I’ve had it made with canned green beans. Don’t get me wrong; canned green beans can be doctored up in some pretty delicious ways (Crack Green Beans and Smothered Green Beans, for example.)
It wasn’t until I started making it with fresh green beans (which is definitely the best way to make it!) that it became one of my favorite Thanksgiving sides.
Not only does this fresh green bean casserole recipe use fresh green beans, it also uses fresh mushrooms and onions. All the veggies are cooked together in butter (so much flavor) then coated in a creamy mushroom sauce and topped with those signature crispy fried onions.
It’s truly so good; you NEED this elevated green bean casserole for your Thanksgiving dinner!
Ingredients for Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans
- Chicken broth – is used for boiling the green beans until they are tender. It imparts so much flavor; definitely use it instead of water!
- Butter – is used for cooking the vegetables. I recommend using unsalted butter.
- Vegetables – you will use a combination of fresh green beans, fresh mushrooms, and diced onions to make your homemade green bean casserole.
- Cream of mushroom soup – my favorite brand (and what I always recommend) for cream soup is Pacific Foods. Most grocery stores carry it. It’s a bit more expensive than Campbell’s or store brand versions of condensed canned soup, but the flavor and simplicity of ingredients (no weird chemicals) is well worth it.
- French fried onions – gives a little crunch to your fresh green bean casserole. I like to mix some into the casserole and then top it off with the rest.
- Spices – you will use a combination of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to season the casserole.
A full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions are located in the recipe card below.
How to Make the Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe – Step by Step
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the green beans and boil for 15 minutes, or until the beans have softened. Drain.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onions and mushrooms for five minutes, until softened.
Add the boiled green beans, mushroom soup, half of the fried onions, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well.
Pour the green bean mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining fried onions and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the crispy onions are golden brown.
Tips and Notes
- Don’t skimp on the chicken broth! I know it’s a lot easier to just boil your green beans in water, but the chicken broth really adds a layer of flavor. I highly recommend it!
- Making in advance: You can prep your Fresh Green Bean Casserole ahead of time for the same day or the next day and store it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. Follow the recipe instructions when you’re ready to bake.
- To Reheat: To reheat a thawed and fully baked casserole or to reheat any leftover casserole, place the baking dish in the oven at 350°Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until thoroughly heated through. If re-heating individual servings, you can warm those in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes at a time.
- Store any leftover fresh green bean casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
More Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes You Should Try!
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
Recipe: Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 heaping cups fresh green beans, trimmed and sliced in half
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 2.8 ounce can fried onions
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the green beans and boil for 15 minutes, or until the beans have softened. Drain.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onions and mushrooms for five minutes, until softened.
- Add the boiled green beans, mushroom soup, half of the fried onions, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well.
- Pour the green bean mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining fried onions and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the fried onions are golden brown.
Notes
- Don’t skimp on the chicken broth! I know it’s a lot easier to just boil your green beans in water, but the chicken broth really adds a layer of flavor. I highly recommend it!
- Making in advance: You can prep your Fresh Green Bean Casserole ahead of time for the same day or the next day and store it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. Follow the recipe instructions when you’re ready to bake.
- To Reheat: To reheat a thawed and fully baked casserole or to reheat any leftover casserole, place the baking dish in the oven at 350°Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until thoroughly heated through. If re-heating individual servings, you can warm those in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes at a time.
- Store any leftover fresh green bean casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Made this for Christmas dinner and it didn’t disappoint. Thank you for the recipe.
The green bean casserole tasted awesome. SO much better than the canned stuff. I’ve been looking for a better version and this is the one!
This green bean casserole was perfect for Thanksgiving! My family loved it and even asked for seconds. Delicious!
I made this as a Thankgiving side and it was a total hit with the guests! Those cripsy onions brings it to another level!