Friends, it’s that time of year to make something cozy and nostalgic and eat one too many servings. For me, that’s green bean casserole – a dish my mom used to make all the time for my sister and me growing up.
It’s simple, creamy, savory and healthy because there’s veggies, right? I suspect this was one of those dishes that my mom used to sneak more greens into our diets, despite our suspicion of all things salad-like. But who can resist anything baked in a creamy sauce and topped with crispy fried onions?
My mother was (is) a smart lady.
I’ve been wanting to make a vegan version of this childhood classic for a while now, and the holiday season finally prompted me to do so.
I’m happy to report that my attempt was a huge success and yielded a seriously delicious result. Bonus? It’s simple – just 10 ingredients and about 30 minutes from start to finish. Plus, once the green beans are boiled, it all happens in one pan! That’s my kind of side dish.
The magic happens when the crispy fried onions come on the scene – crunchy, salty, and indulgent. You can make the onions from scratch, but Trader Joe’s has some that just happen to be vegan-friendly. This saves time and hassle and is totally worth it in my opinion. Look at that crunch!
I think you guys are going to love this dish. It’s
Simple
Savory
Loaded with veggies
Completely from scratch
Crunchy
Creamy
Comforting
& Perfect for the holidays
If you try this dish, let us know! Take a picture of your holiday spread and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can see. Cheers!
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans (rinsed, trimmed and cut in half)
- Sea salt and black pepper
- 2 Tbsp vegan butter or olive oil
- 1 medium shallot (minced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms (button, baby bella, or cremini)
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour*
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth (DIY or store-bought)
- 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
- 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions (divided // I love Trader’s Brand – check ingredients to ensure vegan friendly)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt well – it will help season the green beans. Add green beans and cook for 5 minutes, then drain and place in an ice water bath to stop cooking. Drain and set aside.
- In the meantime, start preparing sauce. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, add vegan butter or olive oil and shallots and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and stir. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add mushrooms and season with a bit more salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes more or until lightly browned.
- Sprinkle in flour and whisk to stir and coat the veggies. Cook for 1 minute, then slowly add in veggie stock, whisking to incorporate.
- Add almond milk next and whisk to stir again. Season with a touch more salt and pepper and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low to thicken. Cook for 5-7 minutes more, or until thick and bubbly. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Remove from heat and add 1/3 of the fried onions (1/2 cup as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and all of the cooked green beans. Toss to coat well, and top with remaining fried onions.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until warmed through and bubbly and slightly browned on top. Serve immediately (handle pan carefully).
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to a few days.
Video
Notes
*This recipe works well replacing the all-purpose flour 1:1 with our Minimalist Baker Gluten-Free Flour Blend.
*Adapted from Alton Brown
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Joanne says
This recipe is incredible. I’ve tried other vegan versions of this classic and they’re not even close to this. Amazing! Thank you so much.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, thank you for this amazing review, Joanne! We’re so glad you enjoy our recipe! xo
Hillary Jaroschy says
This was so good! And good leftover. I made it for a Friendsgiving because I had one vegan friend coming but everyone liked it so much another friend made it later just because she liked it better than the “classic” version. It has all the elements of a classic GBC but fresher. And it was so easy! I’d def make this again and again. A few things, I doubled it with ease, I used baby bellas diced very small and I think the Whole Foods Market French onions reign supreme. I also didn’t measure the amount on top, I made sure it was nicely covered. I cooked in a cast iron skillet – perfect size for a double portion. Oh and I totally forgot to use veg broth and used water by accident and didn’t notice.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing!! We’re so glad it was a hit at Friendsgiving. Thanks so much for sharing, Hillary! xo
Tracy says
Hi,
This dish sounds amazing. Are you able to make it in advance the day before?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Tracy, yes! You can make it a day ahead. Enjoy!
Hillary Jaroschy says
Yes. Just don’t bake it til you’re ready to serve and bring it out to room temp an hour before so your not cooking it from cold. That way the inside will warm as needed and the onions on top don’t over-brown. Maybe 1.5 hours before. Just bring it to room temp is all. And perhaps consider waiting to add the French onions on top til ready to bake, though I doubt it would make a significant difference.
Laura says
My wife loves green bean casserole and makes it every year for Thanksgiving. Long story short, I made it this year using this recipe and she said it’s the best she’s ever had! Only thing I changed was subbing some of the salt for soy sauce for more umami flavor.
We plan on using this recipe from now on!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re honored that it’s her new favorite! Thank you for making the recipe and sharing, Laura! xoxo
Julia says
I am planning on using frozen green beans. Should I thaw them and still cook them on the stove and cover with cold water/ drain? Your instructions are a bit vague for frozen green beans. How long ahead of time can I prep this as well and store in the fridge until I’m ready to cook it? I want to prep a day in advance if possible. Thanks!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Julia, thank you for bringing this to our attention and apologies that the note on using frozen green beans wasn’t clear! We’ll get that updated. To clarify, we prefer fresh green beans, but frozen will work in a pinch. If using frozen, thaw the beans, pat dry, skip the blanching in step 1, and bake longer, if needed, until hot and bubbly. And yes, you can make it a day ahead! We would suggest making it up to the point of baking and leaving the onions off until baking. Hope that helps!
Courtney says
I’ve been making this for the holidays for years now and it’s a hit every time! Better than any other green bean casserole I’ve made before. No one even realizes it’s vegan.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Courtney! Thanks so much for the lovely review. xo
LG says
can i substitute vidalia onions for shallots? if yes, should i caramelize them ?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
You can substitute vidalia onions. The instructions would be exactly the same as written! Hope this helps.
Annaliese says
My mom and I used this recipe a few years back as a swap for regular green bean Casserole (since I went vegan) and we love it! We’ve made it every year since for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I’ve even brought it to a few friendsgivings! It’s always such a hit!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Annaliese! Thank you so much for the kind words and support. xo
Monita says
I made this last year for Christmas, and it was absolutely delicious! Thank you for the easy, tasty recipe. I want to make it again for Thanksgiving this year, but one of my guests has a tree nut allergy. Would oat milk make an OK replacement for the almond milk?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it and will be making the recipe again, Monita! Oat milk should work well. Another option would be rice milk. Hope that helps!
Lizzie says
This is the best green bean casserole ever! I make it every year now! I love that I can make the “sauce” the day before and then just boil green beans and bake. It’s so easy. No one knows it’s vegan and it tastes better than any green bean casserole.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Lizzie! We’re so glad you enjoy it. Next time would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? It’s super helpful to us and other readers. Thank you so much again! xo
Freadom says
Thank you for a solid basis for a wonderful recipe. I added ingredients and seasonings to my liking before and after making the rue. Used green beans and a small onion I picked from our garden, and added some cooked rigatoni pasta before baking.
My sister who struggles with apatite really loved this.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you and your sister enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing! xo
Sarah says
So delicious!!! Thank you for this recipe. I will definitely make this again (and again).
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad to hear it, Sarah! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Shraddha Mehta says
Is it okay to make it without the vegetable broth?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Shraddha, It won’t be as flavorful, but you could use water + more salt. Hope that helps!
Jamie says
I know this is a strange question, but could I omit the mushrooms? Or would it greatly change the flavor? Me and my family all dislike mushrooms.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Jamie, it won’t have the same classic flavor, but you could! We’d suggest using a little more shallot. Hope that helps!
Crystal says
I’ve made this 3 years in a row without the mushrooms and it’s delicious. I do use a few more shallots! Thank you for creating this recipe for those who cannot have dairy!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Crystal! Thanks so much for sharing. xo
Tanya K in MN says
There are quite a few vegan green bean casserole recipes out on the internet. Because of all of the comments on this one, I am going to make this for our holiday meal! I’m grateful to all of the followers here who have encouraged me that THIS is the one to make!! I love everything I’ve made from Minimalist Baker in the past and just wanted you to know, I appreciate YOU too!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, thank you SO much for your sweet words, Tanya! We’re grateful to have you here! xoxo
Katie M. says
This is one of the best green bean casseroles I’ve ever had, vegan or not. Even non-vegan family members raved about it, and asked for it to be made on a regular basis! It was so delicious and creamy. Everything melded together and came out with a great mushroom flavor. It was super easy to assemble and came together seamlessly! You will not be disappointed adding this to your holiday menu, or for weekly dinner too!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you and your family love it, Katie. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Debbie says
Loved this recipe. Only change I made was I was out of any milk except for vegan heavy cream. Used that and recipe was perfect and delicious
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing, Debbie!
Debbie Garven says
Hi Dana- this recipe did NOT disappoint! Oh my goodness- this is so good! I was going to do a traditional GB Casserole with the soup and im like ah…. Checking on my favorite girls site for an option! Super easy, fresh green beans, TJs onions (the bomb and already in my pantry) milk (your choice) Onions/shallots/garlic….spice….done. Oh my god….prepare to eat it out of the pan! Love love this! No revisions needed! Debbie
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We are so glad you enjoyed, Debbie! Thanks so much for sharing. xo
Julie says
Can I make this today and leave of the fried onions for now . Keep in fridge And then bake tomorrow?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hey Julie! You definitely can!
Amy says
Made this last night for Thanksgiving and it was so good! My husband could not stop talking about how much he loved it! We have been together for 13 years and I learned –as we were eating –that he had never had green bean casserole! He’s been vegan his whole life and it never occurred to me that he may have never eaten a vegan version. Myself, I became vegan in my 20s, so I’ve had many thanksgivings with the OG green bean casserole made with cream of mushroom soup. Great recipe, we will definitely make this every year from now on….and likely throughout the year!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so happy you were able to bring green bean casserole back to your table! Thank you so much for the lovely review, Amy!
Mila says
I didn’t take a photo last night which is a shame, but it was gobbled up before I had a chance! It was super delicious and a huge hit at Thanksgiving, several people told me it was their fave and 2 people asked for recipe. Everything took a bit longer because I made 12 servings but still easy… next time I might use more mushrooms and maybe some brown bellas baked in that have a similar texture to the beans. Yesterday I used a little more flour and sprinkled Parmesan on top… oh and easy to make gluten free with GF fried onions at Whole Foods and GF flour at Trader Joe’s. It didn’t taste healthy but without the cream it was! Delicious will make again.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Mila! Thank you so much for sharing! xo
Holly says
Simple and very tasty recipe. We made this for Thanksgiving today. Got the sauce ready and had the parboiled green beans resting in their ice bath, and didn’t stir them together until twenty minutes before we sat down. Then I stirred everything together, added the crispy onions and popped it into the oven. They went straight from the oven to the table, and were delicious!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Holly! Love the tips too!
Ramona says
I am making this for the second time since it was such a hit last year! Can I make this ahead (now 10 am), refrigerate and cook later today?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Ramona, Yes! We would suggest making it up to the point of baking, leaving the onions off until baking. Hope that helps!
Lisa says
Can you make this ahead of time??
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yes! We would suggest making it up to the point of baking (leave the onions off until baking), then bake the day of. Or, you can make it fully and reheat in the oven right before serving.
Andrea Gunn says
Hello! What size baking dish do you recommend?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Andrea, we used a large (10 – 12 inch) oven-safe skillet. An 8×8 inch square pan should also work!
Jill says
Getting ready to make this for the third Thanksgiving in a row! It was a huge hit the first time, and they begged me to make it again! Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad it’s been a hit at your Thanksgiving, Jill. Thank you for sharing! xo
Melanie K says
Used this recipe 3 years in a row already, due to severe gluten and dairy intolerances, and I’m making it again this year. I use GF flour and fried onions (Whole Foods offers GF vegan fried onions around Thanksgiving! Stock up!!) and it still turns out amazing every time. Tried frozen green beans as a trial run this past week and it was so good!! Even my non-GF/Dairy Free family has said it tastes great! Highly recommend this recipe!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad it’s on repeat for you, Melanie. Thank you for the lovely review and for the great tips on making it GF/DF. Happy Thanksgiving!
Barbara says
I just test drove this recipe and will make it again in a few days for Thanksgiving. This is a fantastic alternative to the classic green bean casserole. I’m on a special diet so no shallots, garlic or onions for me. I simply excluded those items and it was still delicious. I seasoned the mushroom sauce with ground fennel seed. In place of crispy onions, I toasted gf bread, processed and sauteed in a little oil, cumin, and salt. The recipe was easy to follow. I’m thrilled. I’ll be making this not just for the holiday. I love it. Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad you enjoyed it with some modifications, Barbara. Thank you for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mel says
I make this every year for both Thanksgiving and Christmas (And sometimes Easter). My family likes it and I’m expected to make this every year. Simple and good!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad it’s a repeat in your kitchen, Mel. Thank you for sharing! xo
Chanon says
I’m allergic to almonds – how about coconut milk or oat?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Chanon, oat milk should work well! Coconut milk may make it taste like coconut. Rice milk would be another option. We hope you love it!
Sarah Beth says
This was really delicious. I have a weird thing though that when almond milk cooks it gives off a very subtle smell/flavor I don’t like. Will this work with cashew milk instead?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Sarah Beth, it depends if it’s homemade or store-bought! Some of the store-bought cashew milks have a funky/artificial taste. If homemade or a neutral-flavored store-bought one, it should work!
Lisa says
This recipe looks delicious! I have a mushroom adverse guest, if I omit the mushrooms would it be as tasty?! Thanks!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hmm, possibly with more sautéed shallot?
Ren says
I found that the amount of flour was not enough to get a thick enough consistency. I used a Cornstarch slurry to help, and that made it better! Other than that, this was an easy recipe to follow and came out beautiful!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thank you for sharing, Ren! Is it possible you were using a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour?
Lily says
I had the same issue! After the slurry, it was perfect. I used AP flour.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
It may have just needed to cook down longer. Did you happen to make a larger batch? If so, it will take longer.
Lily says
I doubled the recipe! I cooked it for about 20 minutes and it barely made a difference in the thickness, which is what made me try the slurry. A couple of years ago, I made a single batch of the recipe and I did not have to add the slurry, so could be that I doubled it.
Gwen Snodgrass says
Wondering if you can make this the night before? Has anyone tried?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Gwen, yes, it can be made the night before! We would suggest making it up to the point of baking (leave the onions off until baking), then bake the next day. Or, you can make it fully and reheat in the oven right before serving.
Leah says
I made this tonight with 1 sweet onion’s worth of your fried onion recipe (doubled the fried onion recipe). The green beans were too firm so I baked them a little longer. I put 1/2 onions in the casserole and the other 1/2 on top. It was scrumptous! My whole non-vegan family was gobbling them down. Both recipes turned out delicious!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Woohoo! Thank you for sharing, Leah! xo
Donna says
I have made this multiple times for holidays and get-togethers for up to 12 people. It is always a hit, even with family who typically dislike green beans! The sauce is amazing!
I use King Arthur’s 1:1 gluten-free flour, and sometimes I only use the fried onions on top, and skip adding any to the main mix. I have made it with raw green beans, and also made it with thawed/drained frozen green beans. I use either button or baby bella mushrooms, and whatever fat source I have on hand (olive oil or regular butter). We’re not vegan, so we don’t mind regular butter. I also use white pepper, and smoked or regular paprika, depending on my mood.
It’s so good – thanks for the recipe!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Woohoo! Thanks so much for the great review, Donna!
Carolyn Malone says
I am very late with my comment, but oh wow! This recipe is to die for! It is just as good reheated too. I made it a while ago and it was a huge hit. The family kept going back until it was gone, and I had to go back to the store and make another pan. This is my go-to recipe now! I appreciate you!
Thank you so much!
Carolyn
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks so much for the wonderful review, Carolyn! So glad you all enjoyed this!
Frances says
I don’t use oil in my recipes so I can dry fry the shallots and garlic in the recipe. For the fried onions, do you think if I dry fried additional onions and then put them in the dehydrator, could that replace the fried onions for the topping?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Frances, we are not familiar with dry frying for this recipe, but let us know if you try it. We think any sort of crispy shallot would be delicious on top!
Missy says
This was delicious! I used home canned green beans and just skipped boiling them. Drained them and tossed them in when the recipe called for them. It turned out great! My husband said it was the star dish at Thanksgiving this year. This recipe is a keeper!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Wow! We’re so glad you both enjoyed it, Missy. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Maria Pangelina says
This recipe was absolutely delish! If I didn’t know it was vegan, I’d never know. I’ll definitely be making this again and again!
Carolyn Donovan says
Made this yesterday for our No-Kill Thanksgiving, and it was terrific!
Easy to make, no hard-to-get ingredients. We really, really liked it. Adding some of the fried onions to the sauce was clever!
I used spelt flour because that’s what I had (I wonder if cake flour would be okay?) and the green beans came a microwavable bag so I cooked them that way then added them to the hot sauce and everything turned out great!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks for sharing your modifications, Carolyn!
Afton says
Made this for Thanksgiving and it was delicious! I didn’t have almond milk so I used oat instead and it came out perfect! Thanks for sharing this recipe. It’s my new go to.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Love it! Thanks so much for the review, Afton!
Sarah says
I make this every Thanksgiving and look forward to it every year. It’s incredible!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Sarah. Thank you for sharing! xo
Sidnee says
I’ve made this every thanksgiving for 5 years in a row now. Simply delicious. I’ve never missed non-vegan casserole because of this recipe! In a pinch I have used canned green beans and mushrooms (procrastinated one year and they were all out of fresh!) and it still came out amazing because of those FLAVORS. I’ve also used unsweetened oat milk in this recipe a time or two and it came out just as wonderful. Thank you thank you minimalist baker!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, thank you SO much for the lovely review, Sidnee! We’re so glad you enjoy it! xo
Teresa says
Can this dish be made a day or two ahead?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yes! We would suggest making it up to the point of baking (leave the onions off until baking), then bake the day of. Or, you can make it fully and reheat in the oven right before serving.
Niara says
What if I can’t find crispy onions? Will this be good without the crispy onions topping? Our health food store doesn’t carry these and I’d rather stay away from the ones sold at the regular grocery store.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Niara, the crispy fried onions are key for this dish! We’d suggest a homemade version. Hope that helps!
Niara says
Yes that’s a big help! Thank you very much!
Denelle says
Hello, recipe looks yummy! Does it get soggy if I make it the day before?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Denelle, if you make this the day before we suggest keeping everything separately refrigerated and assembling the day of just before baking!
Jill says
Can this be made ahead of time and frozen? If so, any modifications and what temp/how long to reheat? Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Jill! We wouldn’t suggest freezing this, however, you can make each of the components the day before! We suggest keeping each item separately refrigerated until ready to assemble and bake the day of.
Amy says
Can you swap the almond milk with another plant based like oat milk? Trying to avoid nuts because of allergies?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Amy! You can swap the almond milk for oat milk in this recipe! You may need to add a little more than whats called for. We suggest noting the consistency in the photos! Hope this helps. xo
Laura says
I was wondering if you think I could prepare it before baking- then move it to a foil pan as I have to transport it a few hours – and then bake it in the oven when I arrive (in the foil pan)?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Laura! That should work. We suggest just waiting to top it with the crispy fried onions until you are ready to bake it to ensure they stay crisp!
Kallu says
Super excited to try this, minus the butter, as that isn’t vegan/dairy free 🧐
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Kallu! We use vegan butter to keep it dairy-free and vegan!
Anonymous says
Wow! It’s as delicious as it looks and sounds! I always love your recipes and this is another winner. The only change I made was using soy instead of almond milk. The sauce is super creamy with pops of garlic. My beans were pretty large, so I would probably cut them into thirds next time, just so they’re a little easier to eat. Don’t need anything slowing me down, eating these! Thanks again!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Woohoo! Thanks so much for the great review, so glad you enjoyed!
Rede Batcheller says
I have two questions, but only one is about the recipe. That question has to do with the onions. Do you have a recipe for making the kind of onions required for the recipe? Or know where you can tell me to find one? // The other item is a little history in (I hope!) a humorous form that begins with a question. The question is: How old are you? I think I am probably a lot older so I will venture to say that when I was young the Green Bean Casserole that was one of the fixtures of the Thanksgiving table was a combination of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and onion rings, and I think it was pushed by Campbell’s Soup. I’ve tried on a couple of occasions to make a (to me) less frightening version — and I must say your recipe here seems to nearly make the break. Which brings me back around to the onions . . .
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Rede, we have a recipe coming soon for fried onions! It isn’t a deep-fried version, but still tasty and would work in this recipe. If you want a more classic version of crispy fried onions, we’d suggest looking for recipes that mention “copycat French’s fried onions”. Hope that helps!
Dana says
This sounds totally yummy but aren’t crispy fried onions crazy calorific? Is there a substitute that leaps to mind? Thanks!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Dana, the crispy fried onions make it super classic and delicious! You could try breadcrumbs, if preferred. Just know it won’t be quite the same.
Allison says
Hi there! I am working with my Sustainability in Action class to host a plant-based food fair at Point Loma Nazarene University. I was hoping to share this recipe with my fellow students, as we are trying to promote the vegan diet, especially through holiday recipes. Full credit would be given to @minimalistbaker.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Allison, you can find our sharing guidelines here. Hope that helps!
Shannon says
Hi, this looks great! Do you think it will hold up if I prep everything (including stovetop steps) and then wait to bake it for about 4-5 hours? Thanks in advance.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Shannon, we haven’t tried it but it should work!
Heather says
I’ve made this every thanksgiving and for Christmas dinners. We’re not all vegan but everyone loves it.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We love to hear it! Thanks for the great review, Heather!
Shelley D. says
Can you assemble everything ahead of time then bake it later?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Shelley, that should work!
Alexandria Cole says
Tastes better than the dairy loaded ones I grew up eating!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks for the lovely review, Alexandria! So glad you enjoyed!
Deborah Trujillo says
Why do you call it gluten free when it calls for a tablespoon of all purpose flour. I made this for Christmas and it was delicious! However, I am a little concerned about the use of the flour because I have a grandson who has to follow a gluten- and dairy-free diet.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Deborah, where are you seeing it says gluten-free? We aren’t finding that, but definitely want to update if it’s the case. This recipe is not gluten-free, but you could use a GF flour blend or cornstarch to make it gluten-free.
Roz says
This was really good. Was a side dish for lasagna at Christmas Eve dinner and every bit was gone. I’ll be making this throughout the year… it’s super easy and yummy!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad to hear it, Roz! Thank you for sharing!
Claire Mead says
Learned I was lactose intolerant and I found this recipe a while back and I am so thankful to have a good dairy free option because green bean casserole was always my favorite dish for Thanksgiving! Everytime I make it for my family they always comment on how it’s much tastier than the original we grew up on. I totally use canned green beans now and so it’s even easier to prepare. Plan on making it again for Christmas dinner. Your recipes are ALWAYS good!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, thank you so much for your kind words and lovely review, Claire! We’re so glad you enjoy it! xo
Jessi says
What would you recommend to use in place of the almond milk? My son has a dairy and nut allergy. I usually go for coconut milk to replace dairy in recipes, but not sure if that would be the best option. Thanks for all your great vegan recipes! This allergy mom sure appreciates it!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Jessi, Rice or oat milk would be the most similar in flavor to almond. Hope that helps!
Katie says
We made this as a thanksgiving side dish for our vegetarian friends. It was absolutely the best GBC EVER!!!!
It was nice that it wasn’t so full of sodium as cream of mushroom soup contains.
I opted to add some plant based cheese, which made it even better!!!
We will be making this recipe many times in the future!!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Woohoo! That’s so great to hear, Katie! Thank you so much for sharing! xoxo
Marsha says
I made this for the second time in two weeks. Again it was a hit and there’s almost no leftovers of a double batch. This recipe is easy fast and delicious
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad you’ve been enjoying it, Marsha! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Mark Anderson says
I made this for my family gathering this weekend and everyone enjoyed it very much. It had more flavor then the typical one from cambells because all the ingredients were fresh. Thank you for a great recipe. I will defenitily be making this again.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Love to hear this. Thanks so much for sharing, Mark!
Christine Drummond says
I always make green bean casserole and needed it to vegan this year since it made the switch. I did not tell anybody that I was making a vegan green bean casserole and nobody noticed..my husband kept eating and had no clue…I made it twice in one week because I loved it much!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Wow, love to hear this! Thanks so much for the review, Christine!
Jennifer Ramshur Brewster says
Is this Christine from Paso Robles? I was looking for a vegan version of this for my husband for Christmas dinner and I saw your name in the comments. Just curious.
Jennifer Ramshur Brewster
Christine Drummond says
Sorry Jennifer, I am from Indianapolis ! :)
Chelsea says
I make this every year for Thanksgiving and everyone loves it! Everyone always says they like this more than other (nonvegan) versions they’ve had.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Woohoo! Love this. Thanks so much for sharing, Chelsea!
Priya S says
Finding myself having bitten more than I can chew, desperate for a vegetarian green bean casserole recipe, I land on your site… a quick trip to TJ, armed with mushroom soup and fried onions…the 9×13 casserole dish was wiped clean…in one night ;-)…Oat milk and very little all purpose flour was the only variation that I did…But man, was it GOOD!
Thanks for all your wonderful recipes, have loved trying them out!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, yay! We’re so glad you enjoy our recipes, Priya! Thank you for sharing! xo
CommodoreCait says
Yum! I love this recipe. The sauce was so flavorful and the fresh green beans still had some bite. It was a hit at two Thanksgivings. I will say, I did over-heat it a bit and it was a little soupy to serve, but it thickened upon standing. It also reheats nicely for leftovers. Also, this was the GBC for everyone and no one even knew it was vegan. Just homemade goodness. I also followed tips from the comments and made in two days in advance. My first step was blanching the green beans and storing them, then making the sauce and storing separately. The day of, I combined, warmed, and added fried crispy onions. Perfection and so so easy!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thank you for sharing and hope you had a great Thanksgiving! xo
Cassidy D. says
I am making this tomorrow for a Friendsgiving! Could I use an unsweetened vegan creamer to make it creamier instead of the almond milk?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Cassidy, as long as it isn’t sweetened and doesn’t have any added flavorings, that could work. But we haven’t tried it ourselves!
Kyle says
This is always a hit with my friends and my family, they rave about it! Even (especially) the nonvegans 💕
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Love that, Kyle! Thank you for sharing! xo
Dana H says
I changed the recipe a bit. It came out fantastic! This is what I did:
diced a large yellow onion and caramelized it in a non-stick pan, then added 6 large minced cloves of garlic. I planned to go no oil, but decided I’d use a little since it was Thanksgiving (2021), so I added 1 teaspoon of vegan butter. It instantly smelled like heaven! I drained 2 cans of organic green beans (not french style), and added them to a small casserole dish (next time I will use a medium sized dish). I omitted the mushrooms because my son does not like them. But I love them and am sure they would be wonderful in this dish. I removed the pan from the burner and sprinkled double the amount of flour (all purpose) over the onions and mixed it in. Next I added 1.5 cups of Berekey filtered water & 2 cups of home made vegan creamer (soaked/drained almonds & cashews blended with clean water-essentially thicker non dairy milk), into the pan as I stirred the onions and flour. I put the pan back on the burner on 3 and waited for it to thicken and simmer. I did season with sea salt and black pepper and stirred occasionally to prevent lumps.
Once it was slightly thickened I poured it over the green beans in the casserole dish, making sure sauce went down to cover all the green beans. Next I rinsed my pan, got most of the water dried off and melted 1 tsp of vegan butter in the pan. I spread that around and poured in an amount of panko bread crumbs I eyeballed, that would cover the green beans. I added sea salt and black pepper and “toasted” the bread crumbs. I’d probably season them next time, but leave out the toasting step. They never got any browner, so after a few minutes of stirring, I spread them evenly over the green beans. Then I baked them at 400 for about 15 minutes. I removed them when I saw the crumbs were much browner. Next time I would cover with parchment, then foil, shiny side down and remove after baking for 10 min and bake an additional 10 min. After removing from oven the sauce is still not thick enough, still runny. But after sitting about 10 min it had thickened up nicely.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Great! We’re so glad it turned out well! Thank you for sharing and hope you had a great Thanksgiving, Dana! xo
Jodie Tanino says
Happy Thanksgiving! I used this as my main course! It was fabulous! Nice to not feel bloated from too much! I used what I had around as some modifications. Used almond flour with a little cornstarch instead of regular flour. Used moola plant based creamer instead of milk. And cheated and used those French’s crispy onions! Almost gluten free cept these. I also added a little coconut aminos to my shrooms and a pinch of pepper flakes.i put it together early cept the onion topping and baked at 400 for 20 plus minutes. It was so amazing. Roasted some kabocha at the same time. Thanks for another great recipe!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Jodie! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications! Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! xo
Reagan says
This was ridiculously good.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Reagan! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
catherine anderson says
Best green bean casserole I have ever had. No joke. I used oat milk only because that’s what we like in our house. It was perfectly thick and seasoned and yummy. My poor sister sent me a pick of her cans of cold cream of mushroom soup in a blob in her casserole dish. I told her never again. This is THE ONE
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Catherine! Thank you so much for the amazing review! xoxo
Sarah says
What can I substitute for mushrooms? I’m not a fan of mushrooms
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Sarah! The mushrooms are part of what give green bean casserole its classic taste, but you can omit them and it should still work.
Aileen H. says
Wow your recipes are amazing!!! I am making lots of things for thanksgiving which comprises of vegan and non vegan dishes. I tried the sauce for the vegan green beans last night. I made it a day ahead of time and the flavor is so good!!! I think my vegan is going to be over the moon!!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, yay! Thank you so much for your kind words and lovely review, Aileen! xoxo
Michelle says
This is my absolute favorite dish. It easily fools those family members who swear they don’t like vegan foods. It takes way longer to prep than what the recipe says, but it’s totally worth it.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad it’s worth the effort! Thank you for the lovely review, Michelle! xo
Melody M Sacpopo says
Can I use oat milk instead of almond milk?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yes!
Aubrey says
Hi what size pan do you bake it in?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Aubrey, we used a large (10 – 12 inch) oven-safe skillet. Hope that helps!
Denelle Balach says
What temperature do I bake it at?
Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
400 degrees F (204 C)
Rochelle says
I am out of almond milk and I want to make this for my daughter. Can I use coconut milk or will that ruin the taste?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Rochelle, It will likely make it taste like coconut milk, but it’s worth a shot? Another option would be rice milk.
Jo says
So I doubled the recipe and used 3-4 14.5oz cans of green beans instead of fresh and mannnn this was EXCELLENT! Pretty much exactly how I remember green bean casserole tasting as a kid. Brilliant recipe. SO excited to add this to my Holliday feast repertoire!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, yay! We’re so glad to hear it, Jo! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Andy says
Can I make a batch for Thanksgiving and freeze another batch for Christmas? Will it freeze OK? Thank you.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Andy! We think it would work best if you froze the beans and the sauce separately, and topped with the fried onions when you’re ready to bake. It doesn’t freeze well as a whole casserole, in our opinion. Hope this helps!
Katrina says
I’ve made this recipe for Thanksgiving 4 years running. Absolutely delicious. No compromise in flavor whatsoever. In fact, I prefer it to non-vegan green bean casserole.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Love to hear this. Thanks so much for the lovely review, Katrina!
Laura Elise says
Do you think subbing in some vegan heavy whipping cream for the almond milk would be ok? I have a bit leftover from another recipe! I made this for Thanksgiving last year and it was a huge hit! :-)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Laura! We think it would work… it might have a slightly thicker final sauce, but should be yummy!
Lisa says
HI!
Is there a reason you use almond milk or could I just substitute with rice milk?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Rice milk will work perfectly!
Kelly says
Can I make this the day before and put in the fridge? Would I just stop at step 5? I can’t wait to try this!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Kelly! That should work, yes. We’d suggest leaving off the final topping of fried onions until you’re ready to bake!
Gary says
I want to make this for Thanksgiving and prepare ahead of time. How much should I make for 12 people as one of our 5 or 6 sides?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Gary, the recipe as written makes 4 servings, so we’d say either double or triple it.
Hali says
Is this supposed to be a thin sauce? It was absolutely delicious and the flavor was great, but it turned out nothing like traditional green bean casserole for me. Which is totally fine, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t do anything wrong.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Hali, It shouldn’t be super thick, but we wouldn’t describe it as a thin sauce. Did you make any modifications? Is it possible you left out the flour? Or perhaps it needed to cook longer in steps 3-4?
Hali says
No modifications but I wonder if it was the brand of almond milk I used? Not sure, but I made it again with full fat oatly & it came out wonderfully! Big hit at thanksgiving :)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Nice! So glad to hear everyone enjoyed it!
JoAnna says
Have you ever used frozen haricot vert to make this? I’m slightly worried that I won’t find what I need Thanksgiving week and I know my store has these now. This is my favorite green bean casserole recipe! Thank you!
JoAnna says
Never mind! I just saw the “find in page” function and my question has been answered! 😂
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! So glad you enjoy the recipe, JoAnna!
Amanda F. says
I made a very small batch of this last Thanksgiving for my vegan husband and it tastes just as good, if not better than the original. I used Miyoko’s vegan butter and Trader Joe’s oatmilk. This year I am hosting dinner for 20 people and planning out my prep accordingly. If I make this ahead, and leave the top onions off without baking it, do you think it would be good in the fridge a couple days to be baked out the morning of? Thanks!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Amanda! That should work well!