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Classic Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shallots

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This classic green bean casserole features a homemade creamy mushroom sauce, tender-crisp green beans, and a topping of golden fried shallots. It’s the side dish that steals the show at any holiday gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for blanching)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced thin
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced fine (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 4 large shallots, sliced into thin rings (about 1 ½ cups sliced)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (for coating shallots)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (for shallots)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (for shallots)
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable or canola oil (for frying)

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with water and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Trim the ends off the green beans and cut into 2-inch pieces. Rinse well.
  2. Drop the beans into the boiling water and cook for exactly 3 minutes. While they cook, fill a large bowl with ice water. After 3 minutes, drain the beans and immediately plunge them into the ice water. Let sit for 2 minutes, then drain well and set aside.
  3. Peel and slice the shallots into thin rings (about ⅛ inch thick). In a shallow bowl, mix ½ cup flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Toss the shallot rings in the flour until well coated. Shake off excess.
  4. Heat about 1 ½ inches of oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F). Carefully add a handful of shallot rings in batches, without overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
  5. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shallots to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with a tiny pinch of salt while still warm. Repeat with remaining shallots. Set aside.
  6. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they release their liquid and start to brown.
  7. Add the diced onion and cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  8. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Then add the heavy cream, still whisking.
  9. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, fresh thyme, and a pinch of nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  10. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  11. Add the blanched green beans to the skillet with the mushroom sauce. Stir gently until every bean is coated. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish and spread into an even layer.
  12. Bake for 20 minutes, uncovered, until the sauce bubbles around the edges and the top starts to look set.
  13. Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the crispy fried shallots evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until the shallots are warmed through and the casserole is bubbly.
  14. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip blanching the beans for the perfect tender-crisp texture. Watch the shallots carefully as they go from golden to burnt quickly. Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels. The mushroom sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance. Don’t skip the nutmeg—it rounds out the cream sauce beautifully. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and full-fat coconut cream. For vegan, follow dairy-free substitutions and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, classic green bean casserole, crispy shallots, Thanksgiving side dish, holiday side dish, creamy mushroom sauce, homemade green bean casserole

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/classic-green-bean-casserole-with-crispy-shallots/