Bacon Green Bean Casserole

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The classic recipe is a favorite holiday side dish, but this cheesy Bacon Green Bean Casserole will be a huge hit with your dinner guests. Sure this iconic dish is a huge hit every year on the Thanksgiving table but it's also perfect for Christmas or Easter dinner, or even a random family gathering.

Fondant Potatoes and Southern Style Creamed Corn are also wonderful side dishes for rounding out your meal.

Bacon Green Bean Casserole in an enameled Dutch Oven for the holidays.

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What is green bean casserole
Recipe Ingredients
How to make Bacon Green Bean Casserole
Adaptations and variations
Recipe FAQs
Our favorite tools to make Bacon Green Bean Casserole!
Other Related Thanksgiving Recipes
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What is green bean casserole

Delicious is what it is.

Ok, in all seriousness, the classic recipe for green bean casserole was developed in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly in response to Campbell's bringing their new product, condensed cream of mushroom soup, to market.

Originally given the name Green Bean Bake, the three main ingredients are green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and French fried onion, just as it does today.

The original recipe that went down in history as the ultimate comfort food contained green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, and French fried onions.

While many, and I mean on average 20 million people per year, make either the original recipe or an adapted version of it.

Ours is an adapted version of the original, but keeping those same three original ingredients of green beans, cream of mushroom, and fried crispy onions.

We love the original but this bacon green bean casserole recipe is now our new favorite green bean casserole recipe.

Bacon green bean casserole in a cast iron skillet with a couple portions spooned out.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients to make the recipe: Cream of mushroom soup, onion, green beans, cheddar cheese, French fried onion, lemon, and bacon.

Green Beans — we used cut canned green beans.
Cream of mushroom soup — Campbell's of course.
Bacon — one pound of thick cut bacon.
Fried Onions — it's really French's crispy fried onions, but has been dubbed French fried onions.
Cheese — we went with a brick of medium cheddar cheese.
Produce — an onion and a lemon that you'll juice.
Seasonings — Salt and pepper, not pictured, add to personal taste.

How to make Bacon Green Bean Casserole

Collage of images show the step by step process, steps one through four.

Step 1 — Preheat oven to 350°F. Chop bacon and add to a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven on medium heat and begin to cook. While the bacon begins to cook, dice an onion and add it to the cooking bacon, using that bacon grease to cook them.

Step 2 — Open the cans of green beans and drain thoroughly, then add them to a large bowl.

Pro Tip:

Open the cans of green beans and empty into a colander/sieve and leave it in the sink to drain. While the bacon is cooking, give the colander a shake to make sure any water trapped is released.

Step 3 — Once done, drain any renderings and add the cooked bacon and softened onions to the bowl of beans.

Step 4 — Stir the cream of mushroom soup until everything is well combined.

Collage image of the step by step process, steps five through eight.

Step 5 — Stir in the cheddar cheese and lemon juice. Mix well.

Step 6 — Stir in a quarter of the can of crispy fried onions. Take a taste and add any salt and pepper as needed.

Step 7 — Add the green bean mixture to the Dutch oven or skillet and smooth out, making it as even as possible.

Step 8 — Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions over the top. Cover with foil or a lid and bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Once heated through remove the covering and bake for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the fried onions to become golden brown. Serve and enjoy.

Freshly baked golden brown bacon green bean casserole.

Adaptations and variations

Fresh mushrooms — add 8 ounces of sliced or chopped fresh mushrooms while cooking the bacon and onions.

Cheese — sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or any other favorite shredded cheese is great.

Green Beans — Canned French style green beans are the perfect substitution for cut canned green beans. You can also use frozen green beans. If the frozen beans have any ice crystals, remove them, as you won't want any additional moisture in the recipe. Fresh green beans are always an option too (or fresh organic green beans).

How to make this recipe using fresh green beans

Wash and trim, cut in half if desired, about a pound of fresh beans. Add them to a large pot of salted boiling water and cook for approximately 7 minutes. You're after slightly tender green beans not fully cooked green beans. Drain and plunge into an ice bath to stop them from further cooking. Dry completely and use in the recipe as you would the regular green beans in a can.

Whichever type of green beans you chose, this is the ultimate green bean casserole recipe, putting all the other green bean casseroles to shame.

Recipe FAQs

What canned condensed soup can I use instead of cream of mushroom?

We recommend using cream of celery, cream of bacon, and cream of onion. However, we suggest using two different soups instead of two of the same, so pick two and run with it.

Can I make green bean casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can make this up to two days before baking. Keep it sealed in an airtight container in the fridge. Also do not mix in the fried onion rings until before baking to prevent them from getting incredibly soggy. When ready to cook the green bean casserole with bacon, remove it from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes beforehand to get the chill off, otherwise the baking time can take up to 3 times the original.

Can I freeze green bean casserole?

Yes. Make everything to the point of adding the French fried onion. Store in a freezer-safe container up to one month. Allow to thaw before mixing in the fried onion and baking.

Can I make this in a casserole dish?

Yes, however you will need a skillet or frying pan to cook the bacon and onions then once everything is mixed in the bowl, transfer it to at least a 9x13 baking dish.

Baked Bacon Green Bean Casserole with a portion removed to show texture and ingredients under the crispy topping.

Our favorite tools to make Bacon Green Bean Casserole!

12" Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

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BuzzyWaxx Original Blend - Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Seasoning