Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole Recipe – Classic Thanksgiving Side

This classic Campbell’s green bean casserole is the iconic Thanksgiving side dish that’s been served at millions of holiday dinners since the 1960s. With just 5 simple ingredients including cream of mushroom soup, green beans, and crispy French fried onions, this easy casserole recipe delivers creamy, savory flavor with a crunchy topping. Includes instructions for both oven and air fryer methods to save valuable oven space on busy Thanksgiving day.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 6-8

Why Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole is a Holiday Classic

Campbell’s green bean casserole is served at an estimated 20 million Thanksgiving dinners each year, making it one of the most popular holiday side dishes in America. Created in the 1950s by Campbell’s Test Kitchen chef Dorcas Reilly, this simple recipe became a Thanksgiving tradition in the 1960s and remains beloved today. The creamy mushroom sauce perfectly complements the crispy onion topping, and the soy sauce adds an umami depth that elevates the flavor.

What makes this recipe special:

• Only 5 basic ingredients needed
• Ready in just 40 minutes
• Creamy sauce with crispy onion topping
• Can be made in oven or air fryer
• Make-ahead friendly for easy meal prep
• Kid-friendly vegetable side dish

Ingredients for Green Bean Casserole

• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 4 cups cut green beans (2 cans, 1 package frozen, or 1 1/2 lbs fresh)
• 1 1/3 cups crispy French fried onions, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, to taste

How to Make Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

Step 1: Prep the Green Beans

For canned green beans: Drain the cans thoroughly in a colander.

For frozen green beans: Use them straight from the freezer without thawing, or thaw first if preferred.

For fresh green beans: Wash, trim the stem ends, and blanch in a large pot of boiling water for about 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce

In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk. Stir thoroughly until smooth with no lumps remaining. Add the soy sauce and stir again until well combined. The soy sauce adds essential umami flavor that makes this casserole so delicious.

Step 3: Combine Beans and Sauce

Add the prepared green beans and 2/3 cup (about half) of the French fried onions to the bowl with the soup mixture. Season with black pepper to taste and stir everything together until the beans are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish

Spray a 9×9-inch casserole dish (or 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish) with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the green bean mixture into the prepared dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 5: Bake in Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the casserole for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir to ensure the middle is hot throughout. Sprinkle the remaining 2/3 cup of French fried onions evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and crispy.

Step 6: Serve

Let the green bean casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm alongside your Thanksgiving turkey, ham, or any main course.

Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole Instructions

Making green bean casserole in the air fryer is a great way to save oven space on Thanksgiving!

Step 1: Choose a baking dish that fits inside your air fryer basket. A standard 1 1/2 quart casserole dish works well for most 5-6 quart air fryers. Consider using an air fryer-specific pan with handles for easier removal.

Step 2: Spray the dish with non-stick spray and prepare the green bean mixture following Steps 1-3 above. Pour into the prepared dish.

Step 3: Place the dish in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Carefully remove the dish (use long silicone gloves or a spatula for safety), stir the casserole to ensure it’s hot throughout, then smooth the top and sprinkle the remaining French fried onions on top.

Step 5: Return to the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 2-3 more minutes until the onions are golden brown and crispy.

Step 6: Carefully remove from the air fryer and serve warm.

Make-Ahead Green Bean Casserole

This classic side dish is perfect for advance preparation:

Up to 2 days ahead: Mix the green bean casserole as directed through Step 3. Store in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to cook.

Cooking from cold: Since the casserole will be cold from the refrigerator, increase the cooking time:

• Air fryer: Cook for 15 minutes, stir, add onions, cook 2-3 more minutes
• Oven: Cook for 35 minutes, stir, add onions, cook 5 more minutes

Always check that the center is hot before adding the onion topping.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator: Store leftover green bean casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer: Freeze without the onion topping for best results. The onions lose their crispiness when frozen. Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating from frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake covered at 350°F for 20 minutes, then uncover, stir, and bake for 10 more minutes until the center is hot. Add fresh French fried onions on top and bake for 5 additional minutes to crisp them.

Reheating from refrigerated: Cover and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through, then add fresh onions if desired.

Recipe Variations

Bacon green bean casserole: Crumble 4-6 slices of cooked bacon and sprinkle on top with the fried onions for smoky flavor.

Cheesy green bean casserole: Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the bean mixture and sprinkle additional cheese on top with the onions.

Different soup base: Experiment with cream of celery, cream of asparagus, or cheddar cheese soup instead of cream of mushroom.

Almond topping: Replace French fried onions with slivered almonds for a different crunchy topping.

Garlic mushroom version: Sauté fresh sliced mushrooms with minced garlic and add to the casserole for more mushroom flavor.

Worcestershire sauce swap: Use Worcestershire sauce instead of soy sauce for slightly different umami notes.

Fresh mushroom upgrade: Add 8 oz sautéed fresh mushrooms to make it extra hearty.

Tips for Perfect Green Bean Casserole

Don’t add extra salt. The cream of mushroom soup and soy sauce already contain plenty of sodium. If you prefer less salt, use reduced-sodium soup and soy sauce.

Don’t skip the soy sauce. Just 1 teaspoon makes a huge difference in flavor, adding essential umami that elevates this simple dish.

Check for doneness when oven is crowded. If you’re cooking multiple dishes simultaneously (turkey, stuffing, rolls, etc.), the casserole may take longer. Always check that the center is hot before adding the onion topping.

Use the right size dish. A 9×9-inch or 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish is ideal. A dish that’s too large will cause the casserole to dry out.

Stir before adding onions. This ensures even heating and prevents cold spots in the middle.

Save onions for the end. Adding onions at the beginning will make them soggy instead of crispy.

Drain canned beans well. Excess liquid will make the casserole watery.

History of Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

This iconic recipe was invented in the 1950s by Dorcas Reilly, a chef working in the Campbell Test Kitchen. Originally developed as an everyday side dish using simple pantry staples, it gained popularity as a Thanksgiving side in the 1960s and has remained a holiday tradition ever since. The recipe’s genius lies in its simplicity—just 5 ingredients that most people already have on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze green bean casserole? Yes, but freeze it without the onions on top. The onions won’t be crisp when reheated. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months, then add fresh onions when reheating.

How many cans of green beans do I need? Two standard 14.5 oz cans of cut green beans equals 4 cups.

Can I use fresh or frozen green beans? Yes! Use one 16 oz package of frozen green beans (thawed or not) or 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans that have been blanched for 2 minutes in boiling water.

Can I use a different soup? Absolutely! Cream of celery, cream of asparagus, or cheddar cheese soup all work well as alternatives to cream of mushroom.

Why does my casserole take longer to cook? When the oven is full of other dishes, air circulation is restricted and cooking takes longer. Always check that the center is hot before serving.

Can I double this recipe? Yes! Use a 9×13-inch baking dish and increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes.

Is this recipe gluten-free? Not as written. However, you can use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and gluten-free fried onions to make it gluten-free.

Can I make this in a slow cooker? Yes! Combine all ingredients except half the onions in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1-2 hours. Top with remaining onions before serving.

What to Serve With Green Bean Casserole

This classic Thanksgiving side pairs perfectly with:

• Roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Cornbread stuffing or dressing
• Cranberry sauce
• Dinner rolls or biscuits
• Sweet potato casserole
• Macaroni and cheese

Nutritional Information

Per serving (based on 8 servings)

• Calories: 110-130
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 6-7g
• Carbohydrates: 12-14g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 450-500mg

---

This classic Campbell’s green bean casserole recipe is a Thanksgiving essential that’s stood the test of time for good reason. With its creamy mushroom sauce, crispy onion topping, and simple 5-ingredient preparation, it’s the perfect holiday side dish that both kids and adults love. Whether you make it in the oven or save space with the air fryer method, this iconic casserole delivers nostalgic comfort food flavor that belongs on every Thanksgiving table.