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French’s (Durkee) Original Green Bean Casserole

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Welcome to my kitchen, where we’re about to embark on a journey to the past with a beloved dish that never goes out of style: The Traditional Green Bean Casserole Recipe.

Green bean casserole is a classic side dish that has been a part of holiday meals for generations.

With its creamy mushroom sauce, tender green beans, and crispy fried onions on top, this dish brings comfort and joy to so many families.

In this post, I’ll share the original recipe for green bean casserole, staying true to its nostalgic roots as well as offer some variations for those who like to experiment with flavors.

Whether you’re preparing the original green bean casserole recipe for your holiday dinner table or simply craving a taste of nostalgia, this classic dish is sure to delight everyone!

Reasons We Love French’s Original Green Bean Casserole

Prep Time – This easy recipe is ready for the oven in just a few minutes. Making this casserole very convenient for the busy holiday season. 

Simple Ingredients – This dish has only 5 basic inexpensive ingredients which all can be varied to create your own personal casserole!

Tradition – Green bean casserole has been a staple in many households for their Thanksgiving dinner as well as Christmas dinners. It has a nostalgic appeal to it that brings back family memories.

French’s Green Bean Casserole Ingredients

There are three white bowls. One has cooked cut up green beans, one has condensed cream of mushroom soup in it and the third bowl has fried onions in it. There is a clear glass measuring with milk in it. There is a clear glass ramekin with black pepper in the forefront. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Simple Ingredients

  • Frozen green beans
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Black pepper
  • Durkee French fried onions
  • Kosher salt (optional)
  • Non stick cooking spray

Equipment / Helpful Tools

  • Large / medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon or rubber spatula
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • 2-quart casserole dish
  • Oven mitts

Fun Fact

French’s green bean casserole is a classic recipe that has become synonymous with the brand.

The credit for creating the original recipe is the late Dorcas Reilly, a Campbell Soup Company employee.

In 1955 Dorcas and her team developed the creamy green bean casserole topped with crunchy Durkee onions which eventually became known as the iconic green bean casserole.

Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe

There is a small white plate with a scoop of a creamy green bean mixture with golden brown fried onion rings on top. There is a stainless steal fork resting on the side of the plate. The plate is on a white marbled surface.

Easy To Follow Steps

  • Cook frozen green beans according to package and drain well.
  • Heat oven.
  • Prepare baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
There is a large white mixing bowl with milk, condensed cream of mushroom soup and black pepper in it. There is a whisk laying in front of the bowl. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • In a large bowl, mix soup, milk, and black pepper. 
There are three white bowls of different sizes. The largest bowl is in the front and has a white creamy sauce in it. The medium bowl has cut up cooked green beans in it and is to the left behind the largest bowl. The smallest bowl has fried onions in it and is to the right behind the largest bowl. There is a wooded spoon laying next to the large bowl. Items are on a white marbled surface.
There is a large white mixing bowl with a creamy green bean mixture in it. There is a wooden spoon resting in the bowl. There is an empty medium white bowl and a small white bowl with fried onions in it in the background. Bowls are on a white marbled surface.
  • Combine beans and stir.
There is a large white mixing bowl with a creamy green bean mixture in it. There is a scoop of fried onions on top of the mixture. There is a wooden spoon resting in the bowl. There is an empty medium white bowl and a small white bowl with fried onions in it in the background. Bowls are on a white marbled surface.
  • Add half of the fried onions with the soup mixture. 
  • Gently stir together.
  • Pour green bean mixture into prepared casserole dish.
There is a square light blue glass baking dish with an unbaked creamy green bean mixture in it. There is a small white bowl with fried onions in it behind the glass baking dish. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • Bake uncovered. 
  • Using oven mitts, remove dish and sprinkle the remaining fried onions on top.
There is a square light blue glass baking dish with a baked creamy green bean mixture topped with golden brown fried onions in it. The dish is on a white marbled surface.
  • Return to the oven and bake until onion rings are golden brown.

See recipe card below for complete measurements, details, and total time.

Variations Of This Classic Holiday Side Dish

Green Beans – I love the convenience and taste of frozen green beans. Fresh green beans or canned green beans (2 cans – 16 oz each, drained) can be used.

Creamy Mushroom Soup – I use Campbell’s Cream Of Mushroom Soup for this recipe. Other soups that are popular to substitute are Cream Of Celery Soup and Cream Of Chicken Soup. I  like to keep things simple, and so a can of cream of mushroom soup is a lot easier, but you certainly can use your own homemade cream of mushroom soup.

French’s Fried Onions There are other fried onions that can be used however, French’s Crispy Fried Onions or Durkee French Fried Onions are the iconic topping that adds a delightful crunch and flavor to this casserole. Making your own fried onions is fairly easy and great in so many dishes.

Ingredient Additions – Chopped water chestnuts (8 oz.) add crunchiness. Add shredded cheese (1/2 cup) to create a cheesy green bean casserole. Soy sauce (1 tsp.) and minced garlic (1 tsp.) are often added for additional flavor.

There is a small white plate with a scoop of a creamy green bean mixture with golden brown fried onion rings on top. There is a stainless steal fork resting on the side of the plate. There is a corner of a gray cloth napkin laying next to the plate on the right side. Items are on a wood surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Make Green Bean Casserole Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can! I recommend you mix the green beans, mushroom soup, and black pepper and refrigerate until you are ready to bake.

Allow the casserole to come to room temperature, then add the french onions just before baking.

How Do You Store Green Bean Casserole?

Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4-5 days.

Looking for other side dish recipes for your holiday table or those busy weeknight dinners?

Check out these delicious casseroles from Join Me In The Kitchen!

Yield: 6 servings

French's (Durkee) Original Green Bean Casserole

There is a small white plate with a scoop of a creamy green bean mixture with golden brown fried onion rings on top. There is a part of a gray cloth napkin laying to the right of the plate. Items are on a white marbled surface.

A classic side dish that has been a part of holiday meals for generations. With its creamy mushroom sauce, tender green beans, and crispy fried onions on top, this dish brings comfort and joy to so many families.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 18 to 20 ounces frozen green beans (approximately 2.5 cups of green beans)
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.75 ounces)
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can Durkee French fried onions (2.8 ounces - approximately 3/4 cup onions)
  • Kosher salt - to taste (optional)
  • Non stick cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Cook frozen green beans according to package and drain well.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  3. Lightly coat inside of casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.
  4. In a large bowl, combine soup, milk, and black pepper. Whisk until throughly blended.
  5. Stir in green beans and fried onions. Gently stir until completely mixed together.
  6. Pour green bean mixture into prepared casserole dish.
  7. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
  8. Using oven mitts, remove dish and sprinkle the remaining French fried onions on top of the casserole. 
  9. Return to the oven and bake an additional 5 minutes or until the crispy onions are golden brown. 

Notes

Equipment / Helpful Tools

  • Large / medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon or rubber spatula
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • 2-quart casserole dish
  • Oven mitts

Variations Of This Classic Holiday Side Dish

Green Beans - I love the convenience and taste of frozen green beans. Fresh green beans or canned green beans (2 cans - 16 oz each, drained) can be used.

Creamy Mushroom Soup - I use Campbell's Cream Of Mushroom Soup for this recipe. Other soups that are popular to substitute are Cream Of Celery Soup and Cream Of Chicken Soup. I  like to keep things simple, and so a can of cream of mushroom soup is a lot easier, but you certainly can use your own homemade cream of mushroom soup.

French's Fried Onions - There are other fried onions that can be used however, French's Crispy Fried Onions or Durkee French Fried Onions are the iconic topping that adds a delightful crunch and flavor to this casserole. Making your own fried onions is fairly easy and great in so many dishes.

Ingredient Additions - Chopped water chestnuts add crunchiness. Add shredded cheese to create a cheesy green bean casserole. Soy sauce and minced garlic are often added for additional flavor.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Ricky Bobby

Sunday 16th of July 2023

So delicious I made 500 servings! Would recommend.

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