Healthier Green Bean Casserole (Dairy-Free)

This Green Bean Casserole is a lightened up, but just as delicious, version of a classic Thanksgiving side dish. It’s made up of crisp-tender, fresh green beans baked in a makeshift dairy-free cream of mushroom soup! It’s rich, creamy, perfectly seasoned, and topped with homemade healthier crispy fried onions!

The Best Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

Believe it or not, I didn’t grow up eating green bean casserole during the holidays. We usually had these Garlicky Blistered Green Beans, which I love and serve often, but now that I’ve had a lightened up green bean casserole for the holidays, I’m never going back. 

Classic green bean casserole consists of green beans tossed in cream of mushroom soup and topped with melty cheese and fried onions. My version of green bean casserole has all of the delicious flavors and textures of traditional green bean casserole, but it’s healthier, dairy-free, and made without any soup mix!

It’s a lightened up version of a classic holiday side dish that no one will know isn’t the real thing. Trust me. It’s just that good!

Ingredients Needed

This green bean casserole is completely made from scratch, from the makeshift cream of mushroom soup to the healthy fried onions! See the recipe below for the full details.

• Butter: I use grass-fed butter but you can use oil to keep this recipe dairy-free if desired.
• Green Beans: definitely use fresh green beans, chopped into bite-sized pieces, for the best texture and flavor.
• Mushrooms and Onions: both sliced thinly.
• Garlic: use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Pre-minced garlic will work as well if that’s what you have on hand.
• Coconut Aminos, Cashew Cream, and Vegetable Broth: the base for our healthier alternative to the cream of mushroom soup mix that is used in classic green bean casserole. Coconut aminos is a soy sauce alternative. Note: You can use store-bought cashew cream or easily make your own. I always make my own! It’s super easy.
• Seasonings: you’ll use a simple blend of sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
• Bacon: this is a totally optional addition if you want to keep your green bean casserole vegetarian, but it does add a delicious smoky flavor.
• Crispy Onions: I include a homemade, healthier recipe for crispy onions but you can use store-bought if preferred.

Cashew cream for the dairy-free win!

Meet my favorite dairy replacement that mimics heavy cream: Cashew Cream! It as a neutral flavor that compliments most anything it is used with and truly hresults in making a dish creamy without adding any dairy.

It’s compliant with many diets including Keto, Paleo, Whole30 and we guarantee it’s going to be your new favorite dairy-free swap.

Want to swap out the cashew cream? I haven’t made this recipe with heavy cream, but I am betting it will work just fine here. Coconut cream may work well, but you will taste the coconut flavor.

How to Make This Green Bean Casserole

This easy green bean casserole recipe takes a total of 10 minutes to prep! 

1. Make the crispy onions: Combine the egg and arrowroot, then dip the onion into the mixture. Cook in hot avocado oil until browned. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Blanch the green beans: Add the green beans to a large pot of salted boiling water and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge the beans into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
3. Make the cream sauce: Melt butter in a cast-iron skillet and cook the mushrooms. Add in the onion, garlic, and coconut aminos then mix in the cashew cream and broth. Decrease the heat and add salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cover and cook until thickened.
4. Combine green beans and sauce: Season the green beans then mix them into the skillet with the sauce.
5. Bake and serve: Transfer the mixture to a 9×9” baking dish and bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes. Remove, top with the crispy onions and bacon, then bake for another 15-20 minutes. Serve warm!

Let’s Talk About Healthier Crispy Fried Onions

How we’re making these fried onions healthier! We are using avocado oil (tasteless and great for high heat cooking) instead of canola oil, and arrowroot flour instead of white flour. We also aren’t deep frying and wasting tons of oil, rather we are pan frying. We’ll still get those crispy onions we want, but a little bit lighter!

• Heat avocado oil until hot.
• Whisk the egg and arrowroot mixture.
• In batches, dip the onion into the egg/arrowroot mixture and then place into the hot oil.
• Cook on each side until a nice golden or dark brown.
• Set aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
• Voila! Crispy fried onions.

How Long to Cook Green Bean Casserole

You’ll quickly cook the green bean casserole ingredients on the stove, then you’ll bake for 30 minutes, then you’ll top it off with the crispy onions and bake for another 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done cooking when the green beans are tender and the casserole is bubbly!

If the fried onions are getting too brown but the casserole isn’t quite cooked all the way through, just cover the baking dish with foil and continue to cook.

Can You Use Frozen or Canned Green Beans?

In theory, yes, but I definitely think fresh green beans are the way to go! They have the best flavor and a firmer texture which holds up nicely in the creamy casserole.

If you do decide to use frozen or canned, keep in mind that for starters, we haven’t tested it with frozen or canned, but also that their textures will likely be mushier and require less cook time. If you use canned, be sure to drain and rinse them before proceeding with the recipe.

Tips for Making the Best Green Bean Casserole

• Blanch the beans. Blanching the green beans gives them that perfect crisp-tender texture. After you boil them, make sure you plunge them into a cold water bath right away to stop the cooking process, otherwise they could become mushy.
• Dry the green beans. After you wash the gree beans, be sure to drain and dry them to remove any excess moisture. If they’re too wet, the casserole can become watery.
• Wait to add the crispy onions. You want the onions to be crispy, not burnt! Make sure you bake the casserole without the onions at first, then add them when it’s closer to being done.
• You can roast the green beans, instead of blanch them if you like. Just toss with some oil, salt, and pepper and roast at 375ºF for 20-30 minutes. If you do roast and season the green beans, be careful not to add too much salt later on.

Can You Make This Dish Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! Prepping green bean casserole ahead of time is a great way to get ahead on holiday cooking.

To prepare ahead of time and refrigerate, simply assemble as directed up until you place the casserole mixture into the baking dish. Instead of baking, cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to a day. When you’re ready to bake, bring the casserole to room temperature and bake as directed.

To prepare ahead of time and freeze, assemble as instructed, wrap tightly, and store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. When you’re ready to bake, thaw in the fridge, bring to room temperature, and bake as directed. 

How to Store It

After it’s baked, the green bean casserole is best served right away for the best texture. However, if you do have leftovers they will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. I don’t recommend freezing it after baking because the texture can become watery.

To reheat, bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave leftovers but the onions won’t be as crunchy.

More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love:

• Scalloped Potatoes
• Gluten-Free Stuffing
• Roasted Veggies
• Cranberry Walnut Roasted Acorn Squash
• Crockpot Cranberry Sauce

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