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Crispy Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe with Golden Onions Made Easy

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A comforting green bean casserole featuring fresh green beans, a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, and crispy golden onions for a perfect crunchy topping. Ideal for holidays and gatherings, this recipe is quick, easy, and a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced thinly
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • French fried onions (optional, for extra topping)
  • Vegetable oil (neutral oil like canola or sunflower) for frying onions

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and blanch for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  2. Thinly slice the yellow onion and separate into rings. Heat about 1 ½ cups of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (around 350°F or 175°C). Fry onions in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon to transfer onions to a paper towel-lined plate. Season lightly with salt.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until they release moisture and begin to brown, about 6-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more. Sprinkle in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly whisk in the milk and broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, toss the blanched green beans with the mushroom sauce until well coated. Transfer the mixture to an 8×8 inch casserole dish and spread evenly.
  6. Sprinkle the golden fried onions generously over the top of the casserole. For extra crunch, add a small handful of store-bought French fried onions.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top. Keep an eye on the onions to prevent burning.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly. Serve warm.

Notes

Do not skip blanching the green beans to keep them crisp and vibrant. Control oil temperature carefully when frying onions to avoid greasy or burnt results. Use fresh mushrooms for best flavor. Stir sauce constantly to avoid lumps. For vegan version, substitute butter with vegan margarine, use coconut milk or cashew cream, vegetable broth, and vegan Worcestershire sauce. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken sauce and ensure fried onions are gluten-free. Reheat leftovers in toaster oven or under broiler to revive onion crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, crispy onions, mushroom sauce, holiday side dish, comfort food, easy casserole, classic recipe

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/crispy-classic-green-bean-casserole-recipe-with-golden-onions-made-easy/