Fresh Green Bean Casserole is bright and flavorful. It is easy to make, and takes this beloved classic to a new level of yum!!
Fresh Green Bean Casserole is a classic side dish for any dinner or holiday. If you can’t get enough green beans, try these tasty sides: Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon, Roasted Green Beans, and Green Bean Bundles.
Fresh Beans make It Better!
Green Bean Casserole is a HUGE hit at our house. And if you’ve had Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans, then you know it’s even more addicting!
You may be worried that it requires a lot of extra time, but never fear, it is still simple to make!
The fresh green beans add a brightness to the dish, and a bit of texture. It also does not require much extra effort, so win-win! You will love it, I promise.
We even stock up on the fried onions so we can enjoy this side dish throughout the year, because we love it that much! But it’s a definite favorite for our Thanksgiving or Christmas spread!
How to make Fresh Green Bean Casserole
PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
BOIL. To cook the green beans, bring a large pot of water to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, add the cut green beans and cook for 6-7 minutes. Drain.
MIX. Add the mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, pepper, cooked beans, and 2/3 cup of the onions to a 1 1/2-quart casserole (8×8 pan) and stir.
BAKE. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbling. Give the mixture a stir, then sprinkle the rest of the onions evenly over the top. Bake for another 5 minutes until the onions are a golden brown.
Make in a crockpot
This best Green Bean Casserole recipe can easily be made in a slow cooker.
- Spray the crock pot with cooking spray.
- Boil the beans.
- Place the ingredients, except for the French Fried Onions, in the pot.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, or 1 hour on high.
- At the end of the cook time, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Spread the fried onions on a baking pan and bake for 5 min. This will crisp them up and you can sprinkle them on top of the green bean casserole.
Tips + Variations
A few things to keep in mind when making Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans.
Boiling the beans. The green beans need to be partially cooked before mixing them in with the other ingredients. Be sure not to boil them too long, otherwise they’ll get mushy when baked.
To add some flavor to the beans, add 1 tablespoon of salt for every 8 cups water you boil.
Watery casserole. This casserole should have a nice creamy texture. A few things to keep in mind to create the perfect holiday side dish, include:
- If you use frozen green beans, skip boiling them in water. Be sure to thaw, or steam, and allow any excess water to drain off.
- Undercooking the green beans in the water can mean that any excess moisture in the beans may leak out while baking. Be sure that the green beans are tender, but not soggy. Drain and pat dry.
- To be extra cautious, toss the green beans in a light coating of all purpose flour after boiling them.
- The casserole will thicken as it cools. If the casserole is notably soupy at the end of the 25 minutes, add in a cornstarch slurry before you top it with the remaining french onions.
- Slurry: In a separate bowl, combine 2 teaspoons cold water and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Once smooth, mix it into the casserole. Top with french onions and bake for another 5 minutes.
Amp up the flavor. I love how this recipe turned out exactly as it is, but every cook has a different taste, and likes to change things up from time to time. Try:
- sprinkling on cheddar cheese
- adding cooked crumbled bacon
- adding a bit of butter to the green beans
- season with garlic salt
Holiday Prep + Storing
How much to make per person. When serving this for a crowd, such as a holiday dinner, one dish will serve 10-12 people. Double the recipe for 20-25 people. Triple the recipe for 30-35 people.
Make ahead of time. Prep this casserole in a baking dish the day before, but don’t add the french fried onions on top. Cover the casserole, and keep in the fridge. When you’re ready, add the onions and bake.
STORE leftover casserole in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave, or the oven. To crisp up the french fried onions, place the leftovers under the broiler for a couple of minutes.
We hope you enjoy this delicious Fresh Green Bean Casserole!
For More Side Dishes, try:
- Cauliflower Casserole
- Yellow Squash Casserole
- Corn on the Cob
- Cornbread Stuffing
- Dinner Rolls
- Best Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Fresh Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- (1 can) 10.5 oz Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 dash black pepper
- 4 cups cooked green beans cut into 1 – 1.5 inch pieces
- 1 1/3 cups French's® French Fried Onions divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- To cook the green beans, bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling add the cut green beans and cook for 6-7 minutes. Drain.
- Add the soup, milk, soy sauce, pepper, cooked beans, and 2/3 cup of the onions to a 1 1/2-quart casserole (8×8 pan) and stir.
- Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbling. Give the mixture a stir and the sprinkle the rest of the onions evenly over the top.
- Bake for another 5 minutes until the onions are a golden brown.
I love the crunch & taste of this casserole. I will say, it’s my favorite way to eat green beans!
I love that bit of crunch the fried onions give this dish. Such a classic!
I love using fresh green beans instead of canned! Sure cuts down on the salt! And it also gives it a different texture. It’s not all mush! Fantastic!
Looks so good! I know my family would love this.
Green beans are a favorite veggie. Love them in this casserole dish.
Planning to make this for Thanksgiving, how long can I refrigerate the pre-made casserole (without crispy topping) before baking?
I would personally only make it a day ahead. Haven’t tried longer than that.
LOVE YOUR SITE
Awe, thank you so much!
Classic side for the big holiday meals as well as any other gathering. My family loves it.
This was such a great thanksgiving side! People were so impressed it was made from scratch and it converted even the pickiest of green bean eaters!
Made this for Thanksgiving this year. I’ve never liked green bean casserole, but this completely changed my mind! It’s so yummy and the fresh green brand are amazing. No more mushy canned ones here!
A quick and easy thanksgiving traditional side!
I always thought I didn’t like green bean casserole until it was made with FRESH green beans. It’s makes such a difference.
About how many lbs is 4 cups of cooked beans?
I’d say probably 1-1 1/2 lbs.
This is the best green bean casserole ever. I made it for Thanksgiving and my husband said it was so delicious that he also wanted it for Christmas. Thank you. Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄
Best ever
Delish! Made it with some cheddar cheese sprinkled on top. Super yummy!
Love this simple recipe! So often, less is more. Everyone is right–fresh green beans make ALL the difference. Just made it tonight to cook tomorrow morning. Used 98% fat-free Cream of Mushroom soup and 2% milk, and, believe it or not, it’s just delicious (even before going in the oven). The teaspoon of Soy is the perfect amount and adds a real richness to the dish.