Thanksgiving is around the corner, and with so many COVID-19 restrictions in place, making your own homemade meal is an ideal and safer choice this year.

Your Thanksgiving table is incomplete without the classic green bean casserole, and what’s a better way to make it exciting than preparing it from scratch?

This pleasing recipe comes with many advantages, including the option to customize it to your preferred taste. Amongst other things, making the dish fresh is a sure way to ensure you and your loved ones get all the nutrients available from this family favorite.

Let’s dive into the ingredients and steps to get started on this delicious recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and sliced into bite-size pieces
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 8 oz sliced mushrooms
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup fried onions (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F. While the oven heats up, put a large pot of salted water over high heat to boil. Once boiling, add the green beans and cook for about 5 minutes until they become tender but still retain a crisp texture. Drain the green beans into a colander and run cold water over them until they chill.

In a skillet under medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter and add sliced mushrooms. Cook until they become browned and tender and then add minced garlic. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, and then set the skillet aside.

With the remaining 1 tbsp butter in the same skillet, whisk in the flour. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the flour turns golden brown. Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth and heavy cream.

Raise the heat to medium and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Add salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper, whisking to combine well. Turn off the heat and add the cooked mushrooms and green beans into the skillet, stirring well to mix.

Pour the green bean mixture into an oven-safe baking dish and distribute the fried onions on top of the casserole.

Bake the casserole for about 25 minutes until it starts to bubble and the fried onions become crispy.

Conclusion

Making a homemade green bean casserole is easier than you might think. And the best part about it is that it’s customizable: you can add more spices to suit your taste buds or go for a healthier option and substitute some of the ingredients with a vegan-friendly alternative. The recipe is both cost-effective and tasty, and once you try it, your guests and family will be asking you to make it again and again.

Don’t hesitate to try it out during the holidays or any other time throughout the year, it’s always a hit!