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Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

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This Green Bean Casserole with Bacon is the BOMB! What makes this the best green bean casserole ever? That’s easy, my friends: BACON.

 

Main image for green bean casserole with bacon. Single portion on a plate ready to eat.

 

Not only is this tasty twist on a classic side dish full of bacon-y goodness, but it’s also completely from scratch! No canned cream-of-anything soups, just real, delicious ingredients.

Perhaps you’re thinking this recipe will be much more difficult if it doesn’t use canned soup — let me assure you, this is a super EASY green bean casserole recipe! 

And, between you and me, it tastes so much better from scratch!

It’s also perfect for any day of the week! Really! Weeknights, weekends, holidays, anything goes!

And this is a great recipe because it feeds a crowd too! Which is a must around my house!

If you prefer a canned soup version, check out this classic Campbell Soup Green Bean Casserole Recipe.

 

garlic added to bacon and onion in skillet

 

What is Green Bean Casserole?

Traditional green bean casserole is a now-beloved side dish, most popular with turkey dinners. 

To make this homemade green bean casserole, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Bacon – let’s be real. We all know bacon makes EVERYTHING better.
  • Onion – you’re going to sauté this bad boy in the bacon grease. Hello, yum!
  • Butter – this is part of your roux, or creamy base, since this recipe doesn’t call for canned soup.
  • Garlic – brings a lot of extra flavor to this casserole.
  • Flour – you’ll combine the flour with the melted butter in the skillet to create your creamy base or roux.
  • Milk – also part of your creamy base. Once you’ve combined the butter and flour over medium heat, you’ll slowly incorporate the milk for the perfect, creamy base!
  • Sour cream – this will make your creamy base even richer and more delicious!
  • Black pepper – for seasoning and added flavor.
  • French style green beans – we use canned in this recipe, but you can also use frozen or fresh beans.
  • Cheddar cheese – like bacon, cheese also tends to make everything better.
  • Crispy French fried onions – this crunchy, classic topping is the perfect finish to your casserole!

Pro Tips:

  • If you decide to use fresh green beans, be sure to parboil your beans for 2 minutes.
  • The creamy sauce and the green bean mixture is enough for me, but I know sometimes you can’t live without those fresh mushrooms. Add in if desired.
  • Frozen green beans should be thawed and drained before using.
  • I don’t recommend bacon bits as you want the bacon fat from the slices of bacon for flavor.

 

Melted and butter in a skillet

 

Who Invented Green Bean Casserole?

While it wasn’t always the Thanksgiving Day staple that it is now, green bean casserole has made its way into homes across America. 

Campbell’s Soup Company actually created the original recipe, or rather, Dorcas Reilly led the team that created Green Bean Casserole.

Reilly took two ingredients most homes in the 1950’s already had in their pantry and put them together to create this classic dish. 

Green Bean Casserole was not a well-loved recipe at first; however, with persistence it eventually became known as “the ultimate comfort food.” 

The original recipe is still one of the most loved and used even today.

It’s made for a holiday meal, Sunday dinner and makes the perfect side dish for all holiday menus.

Campbell’s estimates that 40% of all cream of mushroom soup sales is because of green bean casserole. 

Though, personally, I think this recipe is much better because it doesn’t contain said-soup!

Real ingredients will win every time! 

 

butter and flour mixed together. Milk being added to pan.

 

How Do You Make Green Bean Casserole:

Classic green bean casserole from scratch is so simple to make! 

And not only is this recipe simple, but it’s a green bean casserole with bacon — which means it’s extra delicious. 

Here’s how to make it:

  1. Cook Bacon: Fry up that crispy bacon in a large skillet and save the bacon fat for using later. 
  2. Mix: Cook onion and garlic bacon fat then add butter and flour. Be sure to stir it constantly. 
  3. Whisk: Whisk in milk until smooth and creamy!
  4. Add: Stir in sour cream, onion mixture, green beans, and crumbled bacon, top with cheese and crispy fried onions, and voila
  5. Devour: You’ve just prepared the best green bean casserole recipe.

 

Flour roux created and ready for remaining ingredients.

 

How to Cook Green Bean Casserole?

This recipe has you cook your green bean casserole in a 9×9 baking dish in the oven. 

But if you’re concerned about having enough oven space while preparing your Thanksgiving meal, consider cooking your casserole in a slow cooker! 

Prepare as directed, but reserve half of your crispy French onions. Cook in the slow cooker on low for 5-6 hours. Top with reserved onions before serving.

 

Green beans and bacon onion mixture added to roux.

 

How Long Do You Bake Green Bean Casserole?

Once you’ve prepared your green bean casserole, pop it into the preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crispy onions are golden brown.

You can serve it on the holiday table still nice and hot or at room temperature.

 

green bean mixture place in a 9x9 casserole dish.

 

How Long Do You Cook Green Bean Casserole?

If you’re cooking your green bean casserole in the oven, you’ll need to bake it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

If you’re cooking your green bean casserole in the slow cooker, do so on low heat for 5-6 hours.

 

green bean casserole with fried onions baked and ready to serve.

 

Can You Make Green Bean Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can make the ultimate green bean casserole ahead of time! 

Prepare the casserole as directed and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. 

Don’t add the crispy onions until you’re ready to bake the casserole! When baking, either put in the oven while it’s preheating or give it a couple extra minutes at the end.

If you decide to prepare your casserole in the slow cooker, you can store the prepared casserole in the crock until you’re ready to cook it.

 

 

Can you Freeze Green Bean Casserole?

This question is a bit tricky to answer. 

Technically, yes, you can freeze the green bean casserole. 

But you’ll want to do it before it’s been baked and before you add the crunchy topping. 

Frankly, I wouldn’t recommend it because you’re dealing with dairy and multiple-times-cooked ingredients, which can be a little iffy from a food-safety standpoint. 

I definitely wouldn’t freeze the casserole dish once it’s been cooked. 

But your casserole will stay good in the fridge for about 4 days … and this recipe is so delicious, it probably won’t last that long!

 

 

What Goes with Green Bean Casserole

TURKEY! The most obvious answer. 

But homemade green bean casserole also goes great with rotisserie chicken, ham dinners, pot roasts — really any big, meaty dinner!

Here are some easy ideas:

 

 

How to Reheat Green Bean Casserole

You can reheat your green bean casserole with bacon pieces in the oven (this will keep the topping pretty crunchy) at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

You can also reheat it in the microwave in single-size servings. Microwave in 1-2 minute bursts.

Or you can reheat in the Instant Pot using the pot-in-pot method. 

Place leftovers in a metal container that will fit in your instant pot. Fill the bowl of the Instant Pot with 1 cup of water. 

Put on the lid, make sure the pot is sealed, turn on the “keep warm” setting, and set the “steam” function for 5 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally.

 

 

This homemade green bean casserole is delicious and so easy to prepare. It will make a fabulous addition to your Thanksgiving dinner! 

 

Yield: 6 Servings

Bacon Green Bean Casserole

zoomed in plate of green bean casserole

This Bacon Green Bean Casserole is a delicious twist on the classic side dish. This version is made without mushrooms or a cream soup. Instead it's made with real ingredients making this a must have side dish every year!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*F
  2. Spray a 9x9 casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  3. In a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until done but not crispy.
  4. Add onion and cook until onion is cooked through and translucent. If there isn't enough bacon fat to help onion cook, add 1 Tablespoon butter. This will depend on how fatty your bacon is.
  5. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  6. Remove ingredients from pan and set aside in a bowl.
  7. Add 1 Tablespoon butter to hot pan. Once melted add flour and mix well.
  8. Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup of milk to flour mixture. This should create a thick paste. Add rest of milk, 1/4 cup at a time (total of 1 cup) whisking continually until all milk is incorporated and mixture is smooth and creamy.
  9. Add sour cream and continue to cook until mixture thickens.
  10. Once mixture has thickened remove from heat and add black pepper, green beans and bacon mixture. Mix to combined.
  11. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
  12. Top with cheddar cheese then crispy onions.
  13. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and crispy onions are golden.
  14. Serve Immediately.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 20.7gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 643mgCarbohydrates: 16.4gFiber: 1.6gSugar: 4.1gProtein: 10.7g
Originally Posted: December 2, 2015

Photos & Text Updated: November 3, 2021

Text Updated: February 23, 2024

 

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Kristin

Monday 22nd of November 2021

Hi Janelle, Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe! How many pounds of fresh green beans should be used and incase I decide to use frozen, how many boxes? Thank you, I look forward to making this dish!

Janelle

Monday 22nd of November 2021

For the recipe as written, it would be 1 pound fresh green beans. Hope that helps! Good luck!

Alyssa

Monday 23rd of November 2020

So I was a dork and got fresh green beans when I was at the store because I hadn't fully read the recipe yet... can you make this with fresh green beans? Any idea on what would need to adjust? Thanks!

Janelle

Wednesday 25th of November 2020

Yes you can! The texture will be slightly different but it will work. The only catch is that you'll want to cook your green beans first. Just cut them in half or thirds then boil them until fork tender. Then drain and follow the recipe! Great question!

Susan

Tuesday 17th of November 2020

This is the ultimate holiday side dish - we make it every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas...so good!

Allison

Tuesday 17th of November 2020

I love the addition of bacon. So tasty!

Jennie

Saturday 7th of November 2020

Could I sub sharp cheddar for mild?

Janelle

Thursday 26th of November 2020

Yes you can! It will give even more flavor!

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