Easy Gluten-free Green Bean Casserole (2024)

This easy gluten-free green bean casseroleis a must-have to your holiday menu. Made with tender-crisp green beans, homemade cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions, this is the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving meal!

When it comes to Thanksgiving, this homemade green bean casserole is one of my favorite side foods. The combination of crispy green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crunchy fried onions is irresistible.

This gluten-free version is just as delicious and satisfying as the traditional recipe so no one will notice the difference.

This classic Thanksgiving side dish needed a gluten-free makeover, just like my gluten-free classic stuffing, gluten-free cornbread, and pumpkin pie, because there was no way I would have my menu without it.

Of course, you can also make this green bean casserole on Christmas or Easter, or even on a special weeknight meal. You can prepare the homemade mushroom soup and fried onions ahead of time, which makes it super easy to put this casserole together.

What is Green Bean Casserole?

It is a classic American dish that typically consists of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. It is often baked in the oven until the top is golden and the flavors have melded together. It is known for its comforting and savory taste, making it a popular choice for holiday meals like Thanksgiving.

Is Green Bean Casserole Gluten-Free?

No, classic cream of mushroom soup in cans used to make green bean casserole is not usually gluten-free. It's gluten-free if the can says explicitly they used a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and gluten-free French fried onions.

Ingredients

Making green bean casserole gluten-free is easier than you think with only a few simple ingredients.

• Geen Beans: I prefer to use fresh green beans if possible. My second choice is frozen green beans. If you use frozen green beans, let them defrost before using them.
• Mushrooms: Choose your favorite variety. I prefer white or baby Bella.
• Garlic: Enhance the flavor with a touch of garlic for added savory goodness.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Make sure your casserole is gluten-free by using a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup. I have a homemade recipe that will work perfectly.
• Spices: You'll need salt, pepper, onion powder, and thyme.
• Gluten-free French Fried Onions: You can purchase them or make your own for a quick and delicious addition to the casserole. Homemade ones taste even better!

How to Make Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup?

Some brands sell it these days, but don't waste your money. Let me show you how easy it is to make in only a few minutes. You will have the best gluten-free side dish doing so.

If you like, you can replace and use my gluten-free cream of chicken soup in your green bean casserole.

Some recommendations for gluten-free brands if buying?

• Pacific Foods
• Progresso (check for gluten-free varieties)
• Amy's Kitchen

Method

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat
• Add the diced mushrooms and shallots. Saute until they become soft and change color.
• Once the vegetables have cooked, add more butter and the cornstarch. Stir the vegetables and starch until no dry starch is visible.
• Whisk in the chicken stock and milk.
• Add the spices and let it simmer until it thickens and starts to look like a thick gravy that will coat the back of a spoon.
• Set the cream of mushroom soup aside while you make the rest of the casserole.

How to Make Gluten-Free French Fried Onions?

Again, you could buy them, but they are not typically sold in mass quantities and tend to be very expensive for what they are. Making gluten-free French fried onions takes only a few minutes and adds flavor and texture to your casserole.

Some recommendations for gluten-free brands:

• Simply Nature
• Sprouts
• Aldi

Method

• Slice the onions. I like to use yellow or white onions.
• Soak the onions in the buttermilk for at least 15 minutes.
• Slightly dry the onions on some paper towels.
• Combine the 1:1 gluten-free flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
• Dredge the soaked onions into the flour to coat.
• Heat the oil until it reaches about350°F. Then, fry the coated onions until they are golden.
• Remove the onions from the oil and let them cool on paper towels to remove any excess oil.

How to Make Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole?

1. Make the easy, homemade gluten-free cream of mushroom soup.
2. Saute mushrooms in butter.
3. Toss in the green beans, garlic, and spices.
4. Stir in the gluten-free mushroom soup.
5. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
6. Top with gluten-free French fried onions and bake to perfection.

Tips For The Best Green Bean Casserole

Fresh Green Beans vs. Canned vs. Frozen

Choosing the right green beans can make a difference in your casserole's texture. While the classic recipe often uses canned beans, opting for fresh ones is my top recommendation.

Canned beans can have a mushier texture since they are already quite soft. Frozen green beans are a good alternative if fresh beans aren't available. Ensure they are thawed before incorporating them into your dish for optimal results.

Season Each Layer

Because so many different layers are coming together to make this casserole, ensuring each layer is seasoned well and to your liking is essential. I always taste and adjust as I put it together.

Don't Overcook

It can result in a dry and mushy texture. It's important to keep an eye on the cooking time and remove it from the oven once it is golden brown and bubbling.

Gluten-free, Dairy-free Green Bean Casserole (Vegan)

To make this a dairy-free green bean casserole, you will need a dairy-free cream of mushroom soup and dairy-free French fried onions.

• To make the cream of mushroom soup dairy-free, use vegan butter and your favorite plant-based milk.
• To make the French fried onions dairy-free, soak them in dairy-free buttermilk using apple cider vinegar and dairy-free milk of choice.
• Then, when making the casserole, use vegan butter to saute the mushrooms.

Common Questions

Toppings For Green Bean Casserole

Usually, the first instinct to make a gluten-free green bean casserole is to skip the French fried onion topping because you can't find gluten-free ones at the store. I get it; they are not always easy to find.

Making homemade gluten-free French fried onions is beyond simple to make with only a few simple ingredients.

If you don't want to go through trying to find them or making your own, you can top your gluten-free green bean casserole with a few different things.

• Gluten-free bread crumbs
• Gluten-free Panko
• Crushed Pork Rinds
• Blanched Almond Flour

I suggest tossing these with some fat, like avocado oil or melted butter, to help them crisp up better.

How to Serve Gulten-Free Green Bean Casserole?

To serve gluten-free green bean casserole, garnish with fresh herbs or additional dairy-free French fried onions for added crunch.

Serve it as a side dish alongside other sides, such as gluten-free corn casserole and gf stuffing, along with mains of roasted turkey, spatchco*cked chicken, ham, or another holiday favorite.

Prepping Green Bean Casserole Ahead of Time

I love making this gluten-free green bean casserole ahead of time so it's ready for Thanksgiving when I want it to be while ensuring I am not doing everything the morning of. You can prep it ahead of time in a few different ways.

Prep the ingredients separately and assemble them on the day.

1. Prep the cream of mushroom soup ahead of time - The soup can be made and stored in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for longer.
2. Make the gluten-free French fried onions - Just like the soup, these can be made ahead of time and stored on the counter for up to three days.
3. On the day, saute the vegetables, assemble, top and bake.

Make it entirely ahead.

If you want to make and freeze this green bean casserole, you can.

1. Make and assemble the entire gluten-free casserole as if you were going to bake it, except for the topping of fried onions.
2. Let it completely cool.
3. Tightly cover the dish in foil and then in plastic wrap to keep the air out.
4. Place the casserole into the freezer and freeze for up to one month.
5. When ready to bake it, let it defrost in the fridge overnight.
6. Top with crispy fried onions. Bake as if it was fresh.

Tip: I suggest using a disposable baking dish to freeze this casserole. If you are using a regular baking dish, let it defrost in the fridge and then sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before baking. Placing a cold baking dish in a hot oven has a higher chance of cracking.

How to Store Leftovers?

To store leftover gluten-free green bean casserole, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate the casserole and consume it within 3-4 days. You can microwave individual portions or reheat the entire dish in the oven until warmed through.

More Gluten-free Side Dishes

This gluten-free green bean casserole is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving and all your holiday menus. See more delicious sides to go with it below.

📖 Recipe