Forget the canned green bean casserole and level up your Thanksgiving dinner with this fresh and cheesy version. The combination of gruyere and white cheddar cheese takes this dish to a whole new level, and the crispy fried onions on top add the perfect crunch. Don’t be surprised if this recipe for green bean casserole with fresh green beans becomes a new holiday tradition for your family too!

crispy, cheesy green bean casserole with fresh green beans

The perfect fresh green bean casserole for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about what dishes will grace your table this year.

So far, my family has requested Grandma’s creamy mac and cheese, scalloped potatoes, and orange sweet potato souffle.

Now, I know you might be wondering… where are the green beans?!?

Well, our family has never really been into the traditional green bean casserole with canned beans and cream of mushroom soup. But then, one Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law brought over this amazing fresh green bean casserole, and we were totally hooked!

Basically, instead of the usual stuff, you make your own creamy sauce and pour it over fresh green beans. Then, you top it all off with those classic fried onions.

It’s seriously delicious – cheesy, crunchy, and definitely not mushy.

Trust me, it’s so good that you’ll want to use your homemade yeast rolls to soak up every last bit of that amazing sauce!

Ingredients needed to make cheesy green bean casserole

To make this delicious green bean casserole with fresh green beans, here are all of the ingredients you’ll need:

Green Beans: To make a delicious Thanksgiving casserole, you’ll need two pounds of fresh green beans. Make sure to wash and trim them before cooking.
Cheese: This recipe calls for both gruyere and white cheddar cheese, grated and mixed into the sauce. Make sure to use good-quality cheese for the best flavor.
Shallot: One sliced shallot will add a nice, subtle onion flavor to the dish. If you can’t find any shallots, you can use a small onion instead.
Butter: You’ll need two tablespoons of butter to sauté the shallot and make a roux.
Flour: To thicken the cheese sauce, you’ll need two tablespoons of all-purpose flour. To make this fresh green bean casserole gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour blend instead.
White Wine: The white wine adds a nice depth of flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute with chicken or vegetable broth.
Milk: You’ll need 3/4 cup of whole milk for this recipe. You can also use half and half or heavy cream for a richer sauce.
Vegetable Broth: To add more flavor, you’ll need one cup of vegetable broth. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use chicken or beef broth instead.
Soy Sauce: This adds a savory and slightly tangy flavor to the sauce. If you’re avoiding soy, you can omit this ingredient or substitute it with tamari or coconut aminos.
Garlic: One minced garlic clove will add some extra flavor to the sauce. If you’re not a fan of garlic, you can leave it out.
Salt: Just one teaspoon of salt is needed to enhance all the flavors in this dish.
Crispy Fried Onions: No green bean casserole is complete without some crispy fried onions on top. You can make your own or use store-bought ones for convenience.

Be sure to check out the full ingredient measurements and complete recipe below.

Kitchen equipment needed

Large Stock Pot
Large Mixing Bowl
Saucepan (This is my favorite!)
9 x 13 Baking Dish
Tongs
Whisk

cheesy green bean casserole before baking

Tips for making green bean casserole without mushroom soup

Blanch the green beans: To prevent your green beans from getting mushy, make sure to blanch them in boiling water for just five minutes before placing them in an ice bath.
Don’t overcook the sauce: To prevent your cheese sauce from becoming too thick and clumpy, make sure to constantly whisk it while cooking and take it off the heat once it starts to thicken.
Add a little extra: If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some cooked bacon or mushrooms to your green bean casserole for even more flavor and texture. Or top it with some panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy topping.
Make your own fried onions: If you want to make your own crispy fried onions, slice some onions thinly and toss them in flour, salt, and pepper. Then fry them in hot oil until golden brown. If you don’t, you can always use store-bought ones for convenience.

blanche green beans in ice water — Put the green beans in an ice bath after cooking to stop the cooking process.

What to serve with fresh green bean casserole recipe

This cheesy green bean casserole is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or any holiday dinner.

Besides a juicy turkey, it complements a variety of dishes and can be served alongside traditional favorites like butternut squash soup and Southern cornbread dressing.

It also pairs well with this cheesy garlic bread to soak up all the delicious cheesy sauce.

Don’t forget to include a slice of apple pie AND pumpkin pie (with a dollop of whipped cream). Why choose one when you can have both?

Frequently asked questions about fried onion green bean casserole

Whenever I share this recipe, I get some of the same questions. Here are the most popular ones that people ask!

If you have a question that isn’t listed here, please leave them in the comments, and I’ll answer them as soon as possible. Thank you!

Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen green beans for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them before using them and follow the same blanching process as with fresh green beans.

Can I use canned green beans?

While you technically can use canned green beans, I highly recommend using fresh or frozen for the best texture and flavor. The crunch of fresh green beans really elevates this dish. Using canned green beans might make this dish super mushy.

What can I substitute for white wine in this cheesy green bean casserole?

If you don’t have white wine on hand, you can substitute it with chicken or vegetable broth. You can also use apple cider vinegar mixed with a little bit of water.

Can I use different types of cheese for this recipe?

Absolutely! While the gruyere and white cheddar give this casserole a deliciously creamy and cheesy flavor, you can experiment with other types of cheese, such as gouda, fontina, or even mozzarella.

Can I make this fresh green bean casserole ahead of time?

Yes, this dish can be made a day or two in advance.

If you want to make this ahead, just assemble the casserole without adding the fried onions on top. Cover it with foil and pop it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

When you’re ready to dig in, just follow the baking instructions as stated in the recipe.

How do I properly store leftovers?

Store any leftover green bean casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

More Grandma-Approved Recipes To Try

If you enjoyed this recipe for green bean casserole with fresh green beans, take a look at some of these other yummy recipes:

Fresh Green Bean Casserole

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Print Recipe

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Blanch green beans: Set a large stock pot of water on high on the stove until boiling. Add the green beans to the boiling water and let boil for 5 minutes.
While the beans are cooking, fill a large mixing bowl with ice water.
Drain the green beans from the boiling water and put them in the ice bath for 2 minutes. This will stop the cooking process and the beans should be bright green and tender, but still firm.
Using tongs, remove the green beans from the ice bath and place in a baking dish.
Make the cream sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan on medium-high and add the sliced shallots. Cook until shallots are tender, about 3-4 minutes.
Turn the stove to medium and add the flour. Whisk until well combined and starts to brown.
Taking time between each addition to stir, add the wine, broth, milk and soy sauce.
Continually stir the sauce and allow the sauce to thicken. Turn the heat up until the sauce simmers for 1-2 minutes until it thickens a little more. We want it to coat the green beans well and not be soup!
Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the cheeses, garlic and salt.
Pour the sauce over the green beans.
Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
Then uncover the pan and bake for another 15 minutes.
Then remove the dish from the oven, stir the green beans and sprinkle the crispy fried onions on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the onions are toasty.
Allow to sit for 10 minutes and then serve warm.

Notes

If you need to make this ahead, assemble the casserole, but leave the fried onions off the top. Cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to eat it, follow the baking instructions according to the recipe instructions.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American