Tradition Overturned.
You know how much I like culinary tradition. I really do. But there are some traditional dishes I have never loved, even when the general concept is fine. Today’s recipe is what I like to make at Thanksgiving in place of the beloved and ubiquitous green bean casserole. (You needn’t tell me how much you love it — I already know you do.)
What I don’t like about the casserole is the can of cream of mushroom soup. Have you read the ingredients on the label? Lots of thickeners, plus significant amounts of salt and MSG. (No wonder it is addictive.) I simply cannot bring myself to make the popular original version.
However, a more flavorful recipe I love to teach students is my Deconstructed Green Bean Casserole — the same basic idea with 100% more flavor and 100% fewer preservatives or thickeners, and no MSG. And, bonus, it looks pretty on a platter.
I was recently reminded of my version by both the approach of Thanksgiving and my review of Mushroom Gastronomy by Krista Townes. She includes a wonderful, Spanish-inspired version using beech mushrooms. Mine is just simple comfort food. Ask any of my students — even the mushroom haters — they love it!
~ David
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Mimi Rippee
November 9, 2024 at 6:26 amI was really old when I learned about green bean casserole. I was appalled. I never even knew about cream of whatever soups until I met my husband. I absolutely love your version, and the presentation is spectacular.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:51 pmI can only imagine what your mother would’ve thought of the original casserole, Mimi. I’m sure she protected you from it!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
November 9, 2024 at 7:01 amI’m with you when it comes to the original…not my favorite. Pancettam shiitake and cream, oh yes, my kind of dish.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:51 pmThanks, Karen. It’s the perfect trifecta!
Mad Dog
November 9, 2024 at 7:03 amI’d much rather eat your Green Bean Casserole than the Thanksgiving version. Your Deconstructed Green Bean Casserole looks delicious!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:46 pmThanks, Mad Dog! I’m so glad that you and others are agreeing with me!
Susan Esco Chandler
November 9, 2024 at 7:37 amIf my mother had only known about fresh mushrooms … or if they had been available during the decades when she was still hostessing Thanksgiving … she, like me, would have been over the moon with your preparation and presentation! Lovely!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:45 pmThat does beg the question… When did we start to get fresh mushrooms? I only remember white mushrooms growing up… But even making this recipe with those would improve it immensely. Thanks for your comment, Susan!
Susan
November 9, 2024 at 8:10 amIt looks good, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:44 pmThanks, Suzo!
Melissa
November 9, 2024 at 8:53 amClass me with the green bean casserole apostates. Fortunately, it was not a usual presence on the Thanksgiving table in my family so I mostly escaped it growing up. Your version sounds fantastic and I will be trying it out soon, albeit not on Thanksgiving since others are responsible for the sides this year.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:44 pmI hope you have a great Thanksgiving with your friends, Missy! And I hope you like this version of the dish.
Barb
November 9, 2024 at 9:01 amThe sauce looks and sounds fabulous! I’m not sure green beans are deserving of it! Growing up, my family never served the green bean casserole. We always had green beans at Thanksgiving though. I usually serve buttered haricots verts, as they work well with the heavy dressing and gravy (my favorite menu item). I would serve this casserole to pair with a lighter entree though. Beautiful presentation, and I love that bright orange colander! Like you, I avoid all canned soups.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:43 pmThe green beans didn’t seem to have any problem with the sauce! I’m glad you like this version Barbara, and it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who doesn’t love the traditional casserole.
Ronit Penso
November 9, 2024 at 9:56 amI was never able to understand the idea of green bean casserole, with the use of appalling canned soup, nor how in the world it has any connection to Thanksgiving dinner!
You’ve definitely saved the dish with this fresh and tasty looking version! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:43 pmThanks so much, Ronit — whenever I see a recipe that calls for a can of soup, I just immediately decide I’m going to make the soup part myself!
Ronit Penso
November 10, 2024 at 8:50 pmDefinitely with you on that. I have no issues with many prepared products, but these soups are not my cup of tea… 😀
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:31 pmI pretty much limit myself to a couple of processed ingredients: tinned tomatoes and beans. And high quality stock/broth. The rest, I want fresh!
FEL!X
November 9, 2024 at 8:28 pmLecker!
I suppose the «green bean casserole» is a typical American dish – beans topped with a sauce made out of a can soup? Never heard about. We don’t know that in Europe.
But your deconstructed version sounds delicious!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:42 pmDanke sehr! It never occurred to me that the green bean casserole never made it across to Europe. Trust me that that’s a good thing! I’m so glad you like my version.
Ronit Penso
November 10, 2024 at 8:48 pmThis reminded me of a journalist trip I participated in years ago, to Knorr headquarters. By the information they gave us, Europeans use dried soups mixes quite frequently, something which is hardly seen in the USA. So it turns out that each continent has its own “ready made” soups (if you can call them that) favorites… 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:32 pmReady-made soups can be good, but for the most part, they are all filled with a lot of sodium. As I mentioned in my earlier comment, there are some very good quality stocks and broths available with low sodium. Definitely the way to go.
sherry
November 9, 2024 at 11:21 pmNope green bean casserole definitely not a thing here. But yours looks and sounds so good David. I love a fresh mushie! Oh yes boo to canned soup. I see so many recipes on YouTube where they just dump soup into an alfoil baking tray. EEEk!
sherry
Cocoa & Lavender
November 10, 2024 at 4:42 pmYou are so fortunate you don’t have it down there! Trust me that this version is infinitely better. Glad I’m not the only one who avoids all those recipes that call for a can of soup…
Valentina
November 10, 2024 at 7:39 pmWhat a beautiful and clean way to present this dish. A delicious and lovely idea for the holiday season. 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:33 pmThanks, Valentina. That’s very much what I was going for!
angiesrecipes
November 14, 2024 at 11:35 amI don’t think I have ever had a green bean casserole, but I think I like your deconstructed version more, esp. that topping!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:30 pmThe topping is pretty good, Angie! And you’re not missing anything by not having had the casserole… I was happy to find out that this casserole never made it to Europe.
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
November 15, 2024 at 9:50 pmDavid, I did not grow up with green bean casserole. My mother was strictly a from-scratch cook, so I didn’t have the casserole until sometime in my twenties and I was not impressed. Your version looks delicious and has little in common with that casserole.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:29 pmThat is the nicest compliment I could receive… “It has little in common with that casserole.“ Thank you, Jean!
Frank | Memorie di Angelina
November 16, 2024 at 8:23 amNow when it comes to food I’m very much a traditionalist, but this is one case where I’m happy to see tradition overturned. Looks amazing. So very elegant, too.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:28 pmSame here, Frank! Tradition is important, but this is one that we can forget about! I agree immodestly… It does look so much prettier on a platter than it does in a casserole.
Inger
November 17, 2024 at 4:28 pmI also have a natural green bean casserole that my SIL adapted from Lidia Bastianich–that has fresh mozzarella, Parmesan cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. I’ll have to give yours a try for variety. You know I’ve completely stopped missing Big Macs but every so often I crave the crunchy french onions on the original casserole!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:18 pmThat version your sister-in-law makes sounds fantastic! Feel free to share the recipe… 😉
I tried to make crunchy onions to go on the top, but to no avail. Maybe someday…
Raymund
November 19, 2024 at 2:42 pmI couldn’t agree more about skipping the canned cream of mushroom soup! Your Deconstructed Green Bean Casserole sounds like a fresh, flavourful take on a classic, yum!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:15 pmThanks, Raymund! I’m glad everybody is in agreement.
Jeff the Chef
November 22, 2024 at 4:54 amI would go for this over the traditional version any day! Thanks for this recipe, David. It looks spectacular.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:13 pmThanks, Jeff. I know it’s supposed to serve 6 to 8 people, but Mark and I ate the entire recipe for dinner one night.
Velva-Evening With A Sandwich
November 22, 2024 at 5:04 amDavid, I appreciate your post on a Green Bean Casserole I can embrace. I have never been a fan of the traditional American green bean casserole (yuck). I live in the south and I take some ribbing for not embracing the dish-but, there’s nothing to like about it. Thanks for sharing a delicious alternative for the Thanksgiving table.
Velva
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2024 at 4:12 pmTo be honest, Velva, I expected a lot of people to fight back and say that the traditionally green bean casserole is the best! Happily, not one person has admitted it.
Recipe for White and Sweet Potato Gratin – Cocoa & Lavender
November 23, 2024 at 3:01 am[…] like this on your table and everyone has an enjoyable meal. Some other vegetarian favorites are my Deconstructed Green Bean Casserole (minus the pancetta), Autumn Salad, and Cauliflower, Tomato and Chèvre […]
Christina Conte
November 23, 2024 at 5:42 pmMaybe I’m in the minority, but I am scared of the traditional green bean casserole! Never grew up with it, and cannot stand it. However, yours sounds simply divine! I’m all in with this dish for sure! Thanks for fixing a classic gone wrong, David! Haha!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 24, 2024 at 6:14 amWell, you don’t seem to be in the minority on this blog! Thanks, Christina!
2pots2cook
November 27, 2024 at 7:32 amAnd again, YES! This is great!