Best Southern Green Bean Casserole: Glorious Thanksgiving Recipe
This Best Southern Green Bean Casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish that features tender-crisp green beans baked in a creamy mushroom sauce and topped with crispy French-fried onions. Its rich, savory flavors and delightful textures make it a festive and comforting addition to any holiday meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
Creamy Sauce
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 0.5 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 can (6 ounces) French-fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for baking the casserole evenly.
- Cook Green Beans: Boil or steam the green beans until they are tender-crisp. Once cooked, drain them thoroughly to remove excess water which could make the casserole watery.
- Mix Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and black pepper. Stir well to create a smooth and flavorful sauce base.
- Combine Green Beans and Sauce: Add the cooked green beans to the sauce mixture and gently stir until the beans are evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the green bean mixture into a 2-quart baking dish, spreading it out evenly for consistent cooking.
- Bake First Phase: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the casserole to heat through.
- Add Topping: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the French-fried onions evenly over the top to add a crunchy texture.
- Bake Final Phase: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the fried onions are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider using cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup.
- If you prefer, make your own homemade cream of mushroom soup to enhance the freshness and taste.
- To prepare ahead, assemble the casserole without the fried onions and refrigerate. Add fried onions just before baking, and increase the baking time by a few minutes to ensure thorough heating.
Keywords: green bean casserole, southern green bean casserole, thanksgiving side dish, creamy green beans, mushroom soup casserole, french-fried onions, holiday recipes, classic casserole
