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The Ultimate Healthy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

This Healthy Green Bean Casserole recipe is made with bacon and homemade fried onions. This easy thanksgiving classic is every bit as good as the original green bean casserole! 

Green Bean Casserole

I feel like there are some side dishes at Thanksgiving that are just staples on the table. Green Bean Casserole is one of them.

Did you grow up with green bean casserole?

You know the one with the canned green beans mixed with cream of mushroom soup and topped with Frenchs Onions.

overhead photo of healthy green bean casserole on plates

What other side dishes are a must make for you during the holidays?

Our Thanksgiving Menu Usually Includes:

  1. Oven Roasted Turkey…. obviously!
  2. Sweet Potato Casserole
  3. Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes
  4. Skillet Green Beans
  5. Buttery Crescent Rolls
  6. Mandarin Orange & Cranberry Salad
  7. Pumpkin Pie
  8. Sweet Potato Pie

overhead photo of healthy green bean casserole

It was the same every year. No variation. Growing up, we knew what to expect and usually those same sides made a second appearance at Christmas time but with a different main entree. (my mom always made her famous Prime Rib for Christmas)

We didn’t really make Cranberry Sauce or Stuffing, but sweet potatoes and green bean casserole. Those were a must!

Today I’m revamping that classic with a light and healthy twist I think you’re gonna love.

overhead photo of mushrooms and bacon on top of green beans

The BEST part is, these are all simple fixes.

How to Make a Healthy Green Bean Casserole from Scratch

  • Swap out canned green beans for fresh green beans, it’s simple but reduces the sodium!
  • Instead of cream of mushroom soup, use fresh mushrooms!
  • Make fried onions from scratch instead of using French’s onions. Just slice up shallots (or onions) coat with arrowroot (or cornstarch) and fry in hot oil. I used coconut oil in this recipe, but you could use grape seed oil or even olive oil if you want.

There’s no cream or canned soup in this recipe! This green bean casserole is dairy free and gluten free AND 100% freakin delicious!

photos of bacon getting crispy and mushrooms browning

Honestly, nothing can beat a completely homemade recipe using fresh ingredients!  I love that each component still has a “crunch” to it, which screams freshness!

Oh, and did I tell you that this healthy green bean casserole has bacon in it! Yeah, pretty sure you can’t get better than that! Bacon makes all things amazing!

So if green bean casserole is on your menu this holiday season, lighten things up a bit with this Healthy Green Bean Casserole made with Bacon and homemade fried onions. You won’t regret it and your guests will love the facelift.

Bon Appetit friends and happy weekending!

overhead photo of healthy green bean casserole with bacon

Print
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Healthy green bean casserole in a skillet near a wooden spoon.

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

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  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 35 min
  • Total Time: 40 min
  • Yield: 8-10 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stove
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Healthy Green Bean Casserole recipe is made with bacon and homemade fried onions. This easy thanksgiving classic is every bit as good as the original green bean casserole!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 strips of bacon, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms, do a rough chop of them
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb. fresh french green beans
  • 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
  • 1 cup coconut oil
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat a large cast iron skillet to medium high heat.
  2. Add diced bacon to the pan and sauté until crispy, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Using a slotted spoon remove bacon from pan and place on a paper towel lined plate.
  4. To the pan of bacon grease add roughly chopped mushrooms. Saute until slightly browned stirring throughout, about 5-7 minutes. Remove mushrooms from the pan.
  5. Next add in garlic and fresh green beans to skillet. Saute until slightly browned, 7-9 minutes, stirring throughout.
  6. Once green beans are browned add bacon and mushrooms back to the pan, season with salt and pepper. Toss to mix everything. Reduce heat to low and cook another 5 minutes then remove from heat.
  7. In the meantime, add sliced shallots to a small ziplock bag with arrowroot. (or cornstarch) Set aside.
  8. To a small saucepan, add coconut oil. Heat oil to about 350 degrees F in temperature. You want it hot enough to “fry.” One way to test this is to gently dip one of the shallots in to see if it sizzles. If it does then you’re good to go.
  9. Once oil is hot, add coated shallots to the oil in batches. Fry the shallots for 3-4 minutes, or until browned. Remove from oil using a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel lined plate.
  10. To serve add fried shallots to the green beans and serve!


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 cup
  • Calories: 91
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 147 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 4 mg

Filed Under:

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