This easy green bean casserole recipe can be made with fresh, frozen, or canned green beans. We'll skip the condensed soup and make our own for the best, most flavorful version you've ever had! Recipe includes a how-to video!
Blanch the green beans. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add green beans and boil for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice water. Drain green beans then immediately submerge in the ice bath. Let sit while you prepare the sauce.
1 lb fresh green beans
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook butter until melted.
⅓ cup salted butter
Add onion and cook until softened and translucent.
½ cup finely chopped onion
Add garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
Add mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until softened.
8 oz white-button mushrooms
Sprinkle flour over the veggies and cook until absorbed, then cook an additional 30 seconds longer to lightly toast (builds flavor!).
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
While stirring, gradually drizzle in chicken broth, then add milk, cream, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce is thickened (should coat the back of a spoon)..
1 cup chicken broth, ½ cup whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon table salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Drain green beans and add to the sauce, stir until beans are covered with sauce.
Spread evenly into a 2qt baking dish and sprinkle the top with French fried onions.
2 cups French fried onions
Transfer to center rack of 350F (175C) oven and bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes (will likely be bubbling around the edges).
Video
Notes
Heavy cream/milk
You may substitute the heavy cream and milk for 1 cup (236ml) of half-and-half.
For frozen green beans
Skip the step for blanching. Thaw and drain 4 cups frozen green beans and add them to the sauce in step 9.
For canned green beans.
Skip the step for blanching. Use two 14.5-oz cans of green beans. Drain well then add to the sauce in step 9.
Making in advance
Prepare recipe through step 9. Pour into 2qt baking dish (do not add French fried onions), let cool for about 15 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, remove cover, and let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Add French fried onions overtop, and cook on 350F (175C) for 30 minutes/until bubbling and warmed through (note, if you bake directly from the refrigerator the casserole will take longer to bake).
Storing
After baking, cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or in 350F (175C) oven until heated through (green beans will be softer after cooking a second time). I don’t love freezing this dish.