Vegan Green Bean Casserole
by Amanda Keefer
Ready for a classic side dish for the holidays? Green bean casserole gets a vegan makeover with a few easy ingredient swaps. No condensed soup needed, easy to make, and absolutely delicious. Family members who follow a vegan diet can still enjoy this holiday favorite.
Disclaimer: The recipe is sponsored by Pero Family Farms. All opinions are our own.
This green bean casserole is prepped and ready to pop in the oven in just 10 minutes. Or, it can be assembled ahead of time to save time during your day of holiday prep.
Well it is almost here, the holiday season! We have been busting out some healthier versions of a few classic recipes for your family to enjoy. Roasted Turkey with Citrus & Sage, roasted acorn squash, and mashed sweet potatoes. Yes, just typing these words are making me hungry! Well, I have a few family members that are vegan so I wanted to come up with a classic side dish that they could still enjoy. This Vegan Green Bean Casserole maintains all of the favorite savory flavors but in a vegan friendly dish.
And why wait until Thanksgiving? This green bean casserole is a delicious and nutritious side dish that you can enjoy all year long! Green beans, fresh mushrooms, garlic, and onions all cook together in an Almond milk based sauce! This casserole can be made ahead of time and popped into the oven when ready to serve, too.
Health Benefits of Green Beans
Green beans are a wonderful vegetable to add to your weekly menu. They are loaded with powerful anti-oxidants, fiber, and Vitamin C! They contain high levels of iron, can help protect you from certain heart disease, and are great for our bone health, too. Green beans are also loaded in Vitamin A which is essential for our vision health.
Key Ingredients for this Vegan Green Bean Casserole
- Green Beans
- Onion
- Garlic
- Almond Milk
- Vegetable Broth
- Baby Bella Mushrooms
- Crispy Fried Onions
How to make this Vegan Green Bean Casserol
Step 1: Make the sauce
First start by heating the oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Then add the onion and garlic and cook for about 2-3 minutes.
Next add in the mushrooms, salt, and pepper and let cook for another 3-5 minutes or until browned. Then add in the flour and stir to coat the veggies. Slowly whisk in the vegetable stock and then in the almond milk. Bring to a slow simmer, reduce heat to low and let cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Step 2: Add green beans and bake
Chop the green beans and add to the sauce. Stir to coat evenly. Transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish. Top with the fried onions and bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until bubbly and browned on top.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Make sure to PIN IT!
Vegan Green Bean Casserole FAQs
Q: What ingredients are in a Vegan Green Bean Casserole?
A: The main ingredients in a Vegan Green Bean Casserole are green beans, onion, garlic, mushrooms, flour, vegetable broth, almond milk, and crispy fried onion topping.
Q: How do you make Vegan Green Bean Casserole?
A: To make Vegan Green Bean Casserole, sauté onion, garlic, and mushrooms, then add flour, vegetable broth, and almond milk to make a sauce. Mix the sauce with cooked green beans, transfer to a baking dish, top with fried onions, and bake until bubbly and browned.
Q: Is Vegan Green Bean Casserole healthy?
A: Vegan Green Bean Casserole can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet. Green beans are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and using plant-based ingredients like almond milk and vegetable broth reduces the saturated fat and cholesterol content compared to traditional recipes.
Ingredient Substitutions for Vegan Green Bean Casserole
While this Vegan Green Bean Casserole recipe uses common plant-based ingredients, you may need to make substitutions based on availability or dietary restrictions. If you can’t find crispy fried onions, you can make your own by thinly slicing onions, tossing them with a little flour, salt, and oil, and baking until crispy. For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch. If you prefer not to use almond milk, you can use other plant-based milks like soy, cashew, or oat milk. Just keep in mind that each substitution may slightly affect the flavor and texture of the final dish.
Make-Ahead Tips for Vegan Green Bean Casserole
To save time on the day of your meal, you can prepare some components of the Vegan Green Bean Casserole in advance. Cook the green beans and make the mushroom sauce up to 2 days ahead, storing them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, combine the green beans and sauce in a baking dish, top with the fried onions, and bake as directed. If you’re short on oven space, you can also assemble the entire casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it unbaked for up to 1 day. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to account for the colder starting temperature.
Serving Suggestions for Vegan Green Bean Casserole
This Vegan Green Bean Casserole is a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of plant-based main courses. For a holiday meal, serve it alongside a vegan roast, lentil loaf, or stuffed acorn squash. In everyday meals, it complements vegan proteins like baked tofu, tempeh, or seitan. You can also add cooked grains like quinoa or brown rice to make it a more filling one-dish meal. Leftover casserole can be reheated in the oven or microwave and enjoyed for lunch or dinner the next day.
The Nutritional Benefits of Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Green beans, the star ingredient in this casserole, are an excellent source of nutrients. They are low in calories but high in fiber, which supports digestive health and helps you feel full. Green beans are also a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and minerals like iron and calcium. By using plant-based ingredients like vegetable broth and almond milk, this vegan version of the casserole is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than traditional recipes made with dairy and animal products. However, it’s still relatively high in sodium, so enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Variations and Add-Ins for Vegan Green Bean Casserole
While this Vegan Green Bean Casserole is delicious as written, there are many ways to customize it to your tastes. For a cheesy flavor, stir in some shredded vegan cheddar or sprinkle it on top before baking. If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the mushroom sauce. For a crunchy breadcrumb topping, mix panko breadcrumbs with a little oil, salt, and herbs, and sprinkle over the casserole before baking. You can also add other vegetables to the mix, such as sautéed sliced carrots or diced red bell peppers, to boost the flavor and nutrition. Feel free to get creative and make this casserole your own!
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8 ounce baby Bella mushrooms chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoon flour
- 3/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
- 2 12 oz. bags Pero Family Farms® green beans, cooked according to package directions
- 1 cup crispy fried onion topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook 2-3 minutes. Add mushrooms, salt and pepper. Cook 3-5 minutes or until browned. Add flour and stir to coat veggies. Slowly whisk in stock, then almond milk. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low and let cook 5-7 minutes, or until sauce thickens.
- Chop green beans and add to sauce. Stir to coat. Transfer to 8×8-inch baking dish. Top with fried onions and bake in oven 10-15 minutes, or until bubbly and browned on top.
Nutrition
More recipes to try:
Holiday Stuffed Turkey & Green Bean Casserole
