Dairy-free Green Bean Casserole Recipe from Scratch

Why You’ll Like It

• Uses Fresh Green Beans – this recipe uses fresh green beans instead of canned for a vibrant color and more texture. These can be found in the produce section most of the year.
• Dairy-Free Cream Sauce – Made with sautéed bacon, garlic, mushrooms, and a roux using the bacon fat and flour, then thickened with unsweetened plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk).
• Crispy Topping – homemade crispy onions are so simple to make. Simply slice onions very thin, toss in a little flour, and fry in oil until golden brown. Store-bought crispy onions will work too. These add a delicious salty crunch.
• Great for Crowds – Everything is combined into a casserole dish and baked until, then topped with the crispy onions before serving. This casserole feeds several and can be served directly out of the baking dish making it great for groups.

Ingredient List & Substitutions

This classic green bean casserole made dairy-free uses simple ingredients, many you probably already have on hand in your fridge or pantry. If there is a substitution for an ingredient, you’ll find it below:

• Green beans: fresh green beans are highly recommended here, beans are blanched until just slightly tender so they have a nice crunch. Canned or frozen green beans may be substituted.
• Bacon: any kind of bacon will work for this recipe, I like thick cut bacon. The bacon is sauteed as part of the cream sauce, we also cook the mushrooms and garlic in the bacon fat instead of butter.
• Garlic: add as many fresh garlic cloves as desired, I use upwards of around 4 or 5 cloves. Jarred minced garlic can be a substitute. Use garlic powder in a pinch.
• Onion: red onion, white onion, or yellow onion can work in the recipe for the crispy onion straws. Shallots are also a good option. Store-bought French fried onion rings will work.
• Seasoning: this dish uses just a few simple seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Other spices like dried herbs, cayenne pepper, or paprika can be added.
• Mushrooms: sliced white button mushrooms or baby Bellas are my go to, they can be found in any grocery store. I would recommend fresh mushrooms not canned.
• Oil: vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil can be used to fry the crispy onion straws.
• Flour: all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour can both work in this recipe. Flour is used for both the roux (in the cream sauce) and to toss the onions in (helps get them crispy when frying).
• Milk: any unsweetened dairy free milk can be used in this recipe. I used unsweetened almond milk but unsweetened oat milk or any vegan heavy cream replacement will work!

How to Make The Green Bean Casserole

Let’s talk a little about how to make the Dairy-free Green Bean Casserole Recipe from Scratch (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick Overview:

• Blanch green beans.
• Sauté bacon, mushrooms, and garlic. Make roux and whisk in milk.
• Combine cooked green beans and sauce, transfer to baking dish and bake.
• Make crispy onions.
• Top casserole with crispy onions and enjoy!

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F, grease a large casserole dish and set aside.
2. Prepare a large bowl full of ice water and bring a large stock pot of water to a heavy simmer. Add in the green beans and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender and bright green. Immediately transfer to ice bath to stop the cooking.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the bacon until browned. Add in the sliced mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add in the garlic and seasonings, cook for 1-2 more minutes.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and sprinkle in the flour, cook for 3-5 minutes or until the flour has absorbed the bacon grease. Slowly whisk in the milk and simmer until the sauce has thickened.

5. Drain the green beans and pat dry to remove any excess water. Add the green beans into the mushroom sauce and fold to combine. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish and bake uncovered at 375 for 20-25.

6. While the casserole bakes, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan. You want about ½ to ¾ inch of oil, heat to 350 degrees.

7. Toss sliced onions in flour, add about 1/3 of the onions to the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Remove with tongs and place on a paper towel lined plate, sprinkle lightly with salt while warm. Repeat with the remaining onions.

8. Remove the casserole from the oven and top with crispy onions, enjoy immediately.

More Crowd Favorite Side Dish Recipes

• Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
• Fluffy Baked Potatoes
• Baked Creamed Corn Casserole
• Creamy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
• Baked Sweet Potatoes

Tools I Recommend Using

• Wooden Spoons – perfect for sautéing and mixing, and great for not scratching your pans. Remember to deep clean your wooden utensils once a month!
• Large Sauce Pan: I love this pan for making a big batch of green bean casserole and for so many other things. This pan has a great look and finish and holds up to all my recipes!
• Casserole Dish: I use this set of Staub oval casserole dishes all the time, they are perfect for pasta, potatoes, or casseroles. Budget friendly and oven-safe!

More Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes

Pair your green bean casserole with some of the comfort food dishes below:

• Red Wine Braised Short Ribs – a labor of love, these short ribs will melt in your mouth!
• Slow Cooker Italian Pork Roast – a comforting slow cooker dish, perfect for Sunday dinner.
• Creamy Lobster Ravioli – a decadent pasta recipe made with simple ingredients.
• Chicken Marsala without Wine – a classic dish made alcohol free!

Recipe Tips

• Blanch green beans until jut tender, place in ice water to stop cooking.
• Sauté bacon until crispy and fat has rendered.
• Make homemade crispy onions instead of store-bought.