Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole: 1 Amazing Secret

Welcome to your new favorite holiday side dish. I am so excited to share this because it transforms a traditional classic into a plant based masterpiece that even your non vegan relatives will request every year. I first made this version for a large family gathering where several guests had dairy restrictions and let me tell you it was the first dish to disappear from the table. You will love how the earthy mushrooms and crisp beans swim in a velvet smooth sauce without a single drop of heavy cream.

Why You Will Love This Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

This dish captures the absolute essence of comfort food. It has a sophisticated flavor but stays incredibly simple to make. By using fresh ingredients instead of those old canned soups you get to control the salt and make sure every bite tastes vibrant. The combination of savory mushrooms and crispy onions provides a satisfying contrast that I just cannot get enough of.

Ingredients for Your Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

• 1.5 pounds of fresh green beans trimmed and halved
• 1 pound of cremini mushrooms thinly sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 cups of unsweetened almond or cashew milk
• 1 cup of vegetable broth which we use instead of wine for a deep savory base
• 3 tablespoons of all purpose flour or cornstarch
• 1.5 cups of crispy fried onions just make sure they are vegan friendly
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Selecting Beans for Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

For the best results you really want to use fresh green beans. They give you a snap that canned beans simply cannot match. If you are in a huge rush frozen beans are a great alternative but make sure you thaw them and pat them dry so you do not end up with a watery sauce.

The Secret to a Perfect Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

The heart of this dish is the homemade mushroom gravy. You need to saute your mushrooms until they are deeply browned. This caramelization creates that amazing umami flavor that replaces the need for any meat based broths or heavy dairy products. Do not rush this part because it is where all the magic happens.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Follow these steps to make sure your casserole comes out perfectly every time. I always pay close attention to the sauce thickness before I even think about adding the beans.

• Blanch the beans by boiling them in salted water for 5 minutes then immediately plunge them into an ice bath to keep them bright green
• Saute the base in a large skillet by heating olive oil and cooking the mushrooms until they are browned and then add the garlic for another minute
• Thicken the sauce by sprinkling flour over the mushrooms and stirring then slowly whisk in the vegetable broth and plant based milk and simmer until it coats a spoon
• Combine the mixture by folding the blanched green beans into the sauce and seasoning with salt and pepper
• Bake by transferring everything to a dish and topping with half of the onions at 375 degrees for 20 minutes
• Add the remaining onions on top for the final touch and bake for another 5 minutes until they are golden brown

Essential Prep for Your Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

I see so many people end up with mushy vegetables and it breaks my heart. To avoid this do not skip the ice bath. Stopping the cooking process abruptly ensures the beans stay tender and crisp during that final bake in the oven.

Tips for the Best Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Always taste your sauce before you put the dish in the oven. Since plant based milks can vary in sweetness you might need an extra pinch of salt or a dash of nutritional yeast to get that classic savory flavor. If the sauce feels too thick just add a splash more of vegetable broth.

Timing and Storage

Prep time takes about 15 minutes and the total cook time is around 35 minutes. You can actually prepare the mushroom sauce and beans a day in advance. Store them separately in the fridge and combine them just before you bake so those onions stay crunchy. Leftovers stay fresh in a container for up to three days.

FAQ for Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Can I make this gluten free? Yes you can just swap the flour for a gluten free blend or cornstarch and make sure your onions are certified gluten free.

Can I use different mushrooms? Absolutely. Shiitake or oyster mushrooms add a wonderful depth of flavor if you want to make it feel even more fancy.

What if my sauce is not thickening? Just be patient and simmer it on medium low heat. If it still seems thin mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in.

Nutritional Information

This recipe serves 6 people and these values are estimates per serving.

• Calories: 185 kcal
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 22g
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 4g

Print