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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!
LOVE that you made everything from scratch! I make green bean casserole for my family every thanksgiving and christmas and have to veganize it and make it form scratch otherwise they will make the traditional canned-soup recipe.
My family also always has green bean casserole on the table at Thanksgiving, although I will shamefully admit, we still use the canned stuff — I just can’t bring myself to mess with tradition. But this…this looks like it could possibly break tradition, I LOVE the homemade fried onion topping.
Oh my sweet goodness that topping looks fabulous! Winner! Pinning!
Yay! THanks so much!!
Love the shoestring potato topping! Your version of green bean casserole sounds perfect!
Thanks Jessica! Those potatoes are kind of addicting too!
The real deal is so much better than the fake deal. I love everything about this casserole. Yum!
Oh for sure!
Green bean casserole is my FAVORITE holiday dish and I love this one!!!
Isn’t that so funny that a simple casserole has all of our hearts?
I want to shove this into my face! One of my favorite T-Giving sides!
lol! I’d like to see that
I’ve been wanting to make a from scratch green bean casserole for ages now. I love the idea of the shoestring potatoes, although I don’t know if I could get my family to give up on the fried onions. People LOVE their fried onions. 🙂
Yay! Now you can try this one!
This looks very delish! The casserole looks perfect for Thanksgiving.
That potato topping is so awesome! Such a genius idea!