Green Bean Casserole Crispy Onions (Printable)

Tender green beans in creamy mushroom sauce with a crunchy layer of golden fried onions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 8 oz cremini or white mushrooms, sliced

→ Sauce

05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
09 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
10 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

→ Topping

12 - 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 4-5 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain again and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add chopped onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and mushrooms; cook for 5-6 minutes until mushrooms are softened and browned.
04 - Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
05 - Remove from heat. Fold in green beans until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions over the top.
06 - Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining fried onions, and bake an additional 5 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crisp. Let cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade mushroom sauce is incredibly rich and creamy without being heavy
  • Fresh green beans retain their satisfying crunch instead of turning mushy
  • Those crispy onions on top create the most irresistible salty, savory finish
02 -
  • Do not skip the ice bath after blanching the beans or they will continue cooking and become mushy
  • Whisk the sauce constantly while it simmers to prevent any lumps from forming
  • Add the final layer of crispy onions during the last 5 minutes so they stay crunchy and do not burn
03 -
  • Use fresh green beans instead of canned for dramatically better texture and flavor
  • Grate a little extra fresh nutmeg over the top before baking for an elegant touch

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