Vegan Green Bean Casserole (without mushrooms) - The Recipe Well (2024)

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ByLaura Lawless, BASc Published Last updated

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This gorgeous, creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole is the perfect addition to your plant-based holiday meal. Made with fresh green beans and without canned soup or mushrooms, this easy side dish is a crowd pleaser!

If you’re looking for more side dish ideas, you might like my Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans!

Vegan Green Bean Casserole (without mushrooms) - The Recipe Well (1)

Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Are you a vegan or vegetarian that dislikes mushrooms, or someone that just needs to avoid dairy? If so, this vegan green bean casserole is for you. With tender-crisp green beans, a beautiful creamy vegan sauce and a crispy topping, you and your guests will love this easy side dish!

This version doesn’t use soup as a base for the sauce, but I do use one shortcut store-bought ingredient: crispy fried onions. I want my holiday sides to be easy as possible, so I can focus my time on the main dish. That’s the type of food you’ll find on this website: shortcuts here and there, but mostly healthy and mostly from scratch!

Ingredients

Here’s an overview for what you need to make Vegan Green Bean Casserole. See the recipe card below for all the details!

  • Unsalted cashews – the base of the creamy sauce
  • Vegetable broth
  • French string beans (haricots verts) or regular green beans – 1.5 pounds
  • Olive oil
  • Shallot
  • Garlic
  • All-purpose flour – to thicken the sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • White wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Crispy fried onions – I used a store brand, found near the salad dressings
Vegan Green Bean Casserole (without mushrooms) - The Recipe Well (2)

How to make it

Step one: Prep the oven and Make the cashew cream

  • Preheat the oven to 350 °F and lightly grease a 2.5-quart (2.3 litre) casserole dish. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
  • Blend the soaked cashews and 1 cup of vegetable broth in a high speed blender, until smooth and creamy.

Step Two: blanch the string beans

  • Once the salted water is boiling, add the string beans and cook for 2-2.5 minutes until tender crisp. If using regular green beans you may need to cook for up to 4 minutes.
  • While the beans are cooking, prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. I use a full tray of ice cubes and enough water to submerge the beans. Once the beans are done cooking, drain and place in the ice bath.

Step three: Prepare the vegan cream sauce

  • In a large non-stick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the shallot until turning translucent, then add the garlic and continue to sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring continuously. Sprinkle the flour over the shallot/garlic mixture and stir until they’re well coated.
  • Slowly whisk in the 1 1/4 cups of vegetable broth. We want to ensure the flour gets well dispersed in the broth so it thickens the sauce and doesn’t clump. Add the soy sauce, white wine vinegar and salt/pepper. Continue to whisk until thickened (about 4 minutes in total from when you started whisking).
  • Add the cashew cream and stir until well combined.

Step four: Assemble the casserole and bake

  • Drain the green beans from the ice bath and add to the skillet with the cream sauce. Gently toss the beans until they’re well coated (I use silicone tongs to make this easier). Transfer to the greased casserole dish, top with crispy fried onions and bake for about 20 minutes or until the edges are starting to turn golden.
  • Vegan Green Bean Casserole (without mushrooms) - The Recipe Well (4)
  • Vegan Green Bean Casserole (without mushrooms) - The Recipe Well (5)

Frequently asked questions

Can vegan green bean casserole be made ahead of time?

Yes! To make ahead, follow the instructions up until assembly, but don’t top with the crispy fried onions. Allow the casserole to cool, then cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake, top with the crispy fried onions and bake uncovered in the oven for about 25 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown.

How do I reheat it?

If reheating in the casserole dish, cover with tin foil and bake in the oven at 350 °F for 20-30 minutes, until heated through. If reheating individual portions, you can microwave it for 1-2 minutes.

Vegan Green Bean Casserole (without mushrooms) - The Recipe Well (6)

More recipes you may like

  • Green Beans Almondine
  • Creamy Vegan One-Pot Pasta
  • Pasta with Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Sauce
  • Apple Almond Quinoa Salad
  • Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a review below! You can alsosubscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to see the latest recipes and meal inspiration!

Vegan Green Bean Casserole (without mushrooms) - The Recipe Well (7)

Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Laura Lawless, BASc

This gorgeous, creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole is the perfect addition to your plant-based holiday meal. Made without canned soup or mushrooms, this easy side dish is a crowd pleaser!

5 from 2 votes

Click stars to rate now! ↑

Servings 6

Calories 202

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

For the cashew cream

For the casserole

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 °F and lightly grease a 2.5-quart (2.3 litre) casserole dish. In a large pot, bring heavily salted water to a rolling boil.

  • Make the cashew cream. Add the soaked cashews and 1 cup of broth to a high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

  • Make the string beans. Once the water is boiling, add the string beans and cook for 2-2.5 minutes (see note 2 if using regular green beans). In a large bowl, prepare an ice bath (I use a full tray of ice cubes and enough water to submerge the cooked beans). When the beans are done cooking, drain immediately and transfer the cooked beans to the ice bath.

  • Make the vegan cream sauce. In a large non-stick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and sauté until turning translucent. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another 30 seconds, until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the shallot and garlic and stir until the shallots are well coated, then slowly whisk in the broth so the flour is well distributed and starts to thicken the sauce. Add the soy sauce, white wine vinegar and sea salt. Continue to whisk as the mixture thickens (total whisking time will be 3-4 minutes). Add the cashew cream and stir until well combined.

  • Assemble and bake the casserole. Drain the beans from the ice bath and add them to the skillet with the cream sauce. Carefully toss until the beans are evenly coated (I use silicone tongs to make this easier), then transfer the mixture to the greased casserole dish. Top with the crispy fried onions and bake for about 20 minutes or until the edges are starting to turn golden.

Notes

  1. To soak cashews quickly, soak in boiled water for about 20 minutes.
  2. To substitute regular green beans, blanch for about 4 minutes (or until tender, but still crisp) and proceed with the rest of the recipe as directed.
  3. This casserole can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. Assemble the casserole as directed, but leave off the crispy fried onions and don’t bake. Store covered in the refrigerator. When your’e ready to bake it, top with the crispy fried onions and bake for about 25 minutes or until heated through and the edges are turning golden.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 588mg | Potassium: 330mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 887IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2mg

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Vegan Green Bean Casserole (without mushrooms) - The Recipe Well (8)

Hey, I’m Laura!

Creator of The Recipe Well

If you’re looking for easy meals and Instant Pot recipes, you’re in the right place! I use my nutrition degree to create simple, approachable recipes that will help you find your happy place in the kitchen.

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Vegan Green Bean Casserole (without mushrooms) - The Recipe Well (2024)

FAQs

What is the best substitute for cream of mushroom soup in green bean casserole? ›

Instead of condensed cream of mushroom soup, this recipe utilizes an irresistible sour cream sauce thickened with flour and butter. The creamy, tangy mixture adds tons of richness and flavor — so there's no need for any store-bought soup.

How do I thicken up my green bean casserole? ›

Before you add your topping, try to thicken the casserole with flour or cornstarch so the topping sits on top and doesn't sink to the bottom. If you're freeing up your oven by making your casserole in a slow cooker or a pressure cooker (like an Instant Pot), don't add your topping until it hits the serving dish.

How do you keep green bean casserole from being runny? ›

Mistake #5: A Runny Casserole

If you don't, the excess water from the beans can leak out into the casserole and make it thin and runny. If you sense it's a little watery, "add a thickener like roux or starch to absorb the additional liquid or cook a little longer," she says.

What can you substitute for onions in green bean casserole? ›

Easy French Fried Onion Alternatives for Green Bean Casserole
  • Butter + Ritz cracker crumbs.
  • Coarsely crushed potato chips.
  • Butter + Corn Flakes cereal crumbs.
  • Butter + Panko breadcrumbs with a dash of added garlic powder and/or onion powder to taste.
Nov 23, 2023

What is a good substitute for mushroom flavor? ›

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, provide the same earthy and nutty flavor that mushrooms do. They also help add bulk to a dish in the same way that mushrooms do. A great substitute for mushrooms that is full of protein and can also be added to stews, soups, and casseroles.

What can I use instead of cream of mushroom? ›

Cream of chicken, celery, broccoli, or potato soup all work well as side dishes for any meal. On the other hand, you can use heavy cream, sour cream, or cream cheese combinations to substitute cream of mushroom soup as an ingredient in a recipe.

Why is my green bean casserole bland? ›

The Casserole Is Bland

Another one of the most common green bean casserole mistakes is to choose a recipe that's a bit too simple, which can result in a bland dish.

Which is better, frozen or canned green beans for green bean casserole? ›

When I make green bean casserole, I skip canned beans all together. Frozen green beans are the best green beans to use for green bean casserole.

How long can green bean casserole sit out before baking? ›

How Long Can Green Bean Casserole Sit Out? The casserole can sit out at room temperature for about an hour, then it should be reheated or stored in the fridge.

How long does it take for green bean casserole to go bad? ›

Green Bean Casserole Leftovers

Your creamy green bean casserole will last about four days in the fridge. The crunchy topping will get softer as time goes by; pop it into the oven to reheat to crisp it up a bit. While casseroles have a reputation for being freezer-friendly, green bean casseroles don't freeze so well.

How many ounces are 4 cups of green beans? ›

✿ 4 cups of green beans is about 1½ pounds fresh or 16 ounces frozen or 2 cans (15 ounces each) drained.

Should you cook onions before putting in casserole? ›

To prevent a soupy casserole, be sure to fully thaw any frozen vegetables in a colander over a bowl, and pat dry, squeeze excess moisture out of greens like spinach or chard, and quickly precook watery fresh vegetables like onions, mushrooms or squashes just until they release their moisture.

Which onions are best for casseroles? ›

Yellow onions are perfect for stews, soups, barbecues, roasts and sauces. Avoid eating them raw as they have a strong flavour.

Why is green bean casserole so good? ›

Fans love the dish in part because of how simple it is to throw together. It calls for ingredients that could be found in a typical home kitchen pantry: canned or fresh green beans, mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce and black pepper.

Can cream of chicken be used as a substitute for cream of mushroom soup? ›

There are lots of great recipes that'll work with this substitute for cream of mushroom soup, and I've listed some below. A few of these use cream of chicken soup, which is pretty interchangeable with the mushroom soup.

What is the best substitute for heavy cream in soup? ›

Whole milk and light cream are the two components of half-and-half, so it's not that far off from the real deal. Use half-and-half as a 1:1 substitute for heavy cream. It can work nearly as well for bringing creamy texture and flavor to sauces, soups and stews, mashed potatoes, quiches, and casseroles.

What is a substitute for golden cream of mushroom soup? ›

Campbells Golden Mushroom Soup Substitute Recipe - Food.com
  • Produce. • 1 small stalk Celery. • 1 Garlic clove. ...
  • Canned Goods. • 1 1/2 cups Beef stock. • 1 1/2 tbsp Tomato paste.
  • Baking & Spices. • 3 tbsp Flour.
  • Oils & Vinegars. • 1 tbsp Oil.
  • Dairy. • 4 tbsp Clarified butter.
  • Beer, Wine & Liquor. • 1/2 cup White wine, dry.

What is the difference between cream of mushroom soup and condensed cream of mushroom soup? ›

Condensed soup is much thicker and concentrated, often used as a base in recipes to add flavor and creaminess. To use it, you typically dilute it with water, milk, or broth. In contrast, regular soup is ready to eat as is, with a thinner consistency.

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