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The real green bean casserole doesn’t use cream of anything soup and the fried shoestring potatoes may be a new twist but it’s a good one!
The Utah Dairy council and I want to make sure you have a perfect Thanksgiving so we’ve brought you a special recipe for the real green bean casserole.
Raise your hand if green bean casserole makes it to your Thanksgiving feast. I don’t remember a single Thanksgiving dinner that didn’t involve green bean casserole, but ours never had the fried onion thingys on top. That just wasn’t really our thing. It stopped with the cheese, and it definitely involved a can of cream of mushroom soup, but I think my version is better, much better.
I asked on facebook a while back what you all have to have at Thanksgiving dinner and I was shocked that almost everyone mentioned green bean casserole with fried onions. I was seriously shocked. I thought that green bean casserole had been forgotten by everyone but my family. I was happily surprised, but still not for the fried onions. So, I do hope you will hear me out on this one because I think you’re going to love these shoestring fried potatoes.
Green beans and potatoes do go together so while I was whisking up the sauce, yes real mushroom sauce not canned anything, I had the thought that I could switch out the fried onions for something way better. And it totally worked. So, since this blog is all about reinventing family dinner I’ve reinvented the green bean casserole, but don’t worry it’s still just like the classic only it tastes better and it’s all fresh!
Are Green Beans Good For You?
Green beans are a good source of fiber, potassium, and folate, and are an excellent source of protein, iron, and zinc.
They contain anti-oxidants which can improve heart health and help prevent cancer and manage/prevent diabetes.
Can You Freeze Green Beans?
Green beans can be frozen for longer storage.
Like other vegetables, they should be blanched (Put in boiling water) for 2 minutes, then cooled and packaged in freezer containers.
Green beans can be frozen for 8-10 months.
How Long Will Cooked Green Beans Keep?
Cooked green beans can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
The Real Green Bean Casserole
The Real Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons Butter, unsalted
- 1/4 Cup Onion, minced
- 1 Clove Garlic , minced
- 1/2 Cup Mushroom, minced white button
- 3 Tablespoons Flour
- 3/4 Cup Cream
- 1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, Freshly Ground
- Salt to taste
For the Casserole
- 16 Ounces Green Beans, French style or fresh, washed and trimmed
- 1 1/2 – 2 Cups Cheese, Grated (we use colby jack)
For the Shoestring Potatoes
- 1 Russet Potato, Large, or 2 small mostly peeled (I leave little slivers of peel on for added color)
- Canola Oil
- Salt
Instructions
For the Sauce
- In a large sauce pan over medium heat add the butter and begin to melt.3 Tablespoons Butter
- Add the onion and garlic and saute until tender.1/4 Cup Onion, 1 Clove Garlic
- Add the mushrooms and saute until beginning to turn tender, about 1-2 minutes.1/2 Cup Mushroom
- Whisk in the flour and continue to whisk for about 30 seconds to remove that flour taste.3 Tablespoons Flour
- Quickly add the cream and broth and whisk until thickened.3/4 Cup Cream, 1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
- Season to taste.1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, Salt to taste
For the Casserole
- Add the green beans and sauce mixture to a 9×9″ pan and fold everything together.16 Ounces Green Beans
- Top with shredded cheese and shoestring potatoes.1 1/2 – 2 Cups Cheese
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until hot all the way through.
For the Shoestring Potatoes
- Using a mandolin, slice the potatoes on the thinnest position.1 Russet Potato
- Stack a few up at a time and chop into shoestrings.
- Heat a pan with 1/4 cup oil over medium heat and fry until golden.Canola Oil
- Drain on a paper towel and sprinkle with a little salt.Salt
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
String Beans with Bacon
Because bacon makes even a side dish totally craveable
Green Beans by Brown Eyed Baker
Look at those crunchy onions on top!
This looks so yummy! Iโm planning to make it for our Thanksgiving! Could it be put together the night before and then baked the next day? Thank you!
Yes absolutely! Just wait to put the cheese and shoestring potatoes on top until right before baking. Enjoy!
The recipe looks like healthy, perfection, definitely saving it. Thanks for green bean casserole recipe with ingredients also.
Thanks Nancy!
This is the BEST!!!
Thanks for the cream of mushroom sauce (soup) recipe. I’ve been unable to have any since I found I can’t have any form of soy anymore and green bean casserole was one of my favorite dinners – yes, dinner! I’ll have to try it with the potatoes as I can’t have those onion rings anymore either!
Oh, I’m just so glad!
I made your cream sauce without the mushrooms for the ground beef and rice casserole. The casserole is currently in the oven, so I can’t comment on that, however, the “cream of…” soup was absolutely delicious by itself as a base. It was so full of flavor! I cannot wait to use it in different meals. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Thank you so much!
Do you use fresh green beans or could you use frozen? If frozen would you blanche first?
Thank you!
Fresh or frozen is fine. A quick blanch would ensure they’ll be properly done after baking.
Yes, I agree with Ron. We use fresh or frozen but we always blanch the frozen first. ๐
My aunt always made green bean casseroles when I was young ๐ I love how food can bring you back. This recipe looks like perfection, definitely saving it!
This sounds delicious. What kind of cream do you recommend?
Love the potato topping! I’ve always loved green bean casserole too. It was always on our Thanksgiving table and always with the fried onions. Going to have to try it your way very soon!
I love your recipe. In fact I may modify my Green Bean Casserole Recipe as a result. But may I make a small, suggestion? Add two tablespoons of Soy Sauce, mix it in. You won’t believe it…
Just something I want you to try…. Let me know what you think…
ohhhh, I’l have to try that!
For a healthier alternative to soy sauce, we use Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (https://www.amazon.com/Bragg-Liquid-Aminos-Purpose-Seasoning/dp/B0006Z7NNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421709053&sr=8-1&keywords=soy+sauce+alternative) Just a thought!