Alton Brown Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Alton Brown Green Bean Casserole Recipe is made with fresh green beans, button mushrooms, half and half, garlic, onions, rice flour, and chicken broth. This recipe creates a rich, creamy, and crispy-topped vegetable side dish. It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to prepare and serves 6 to 8.

Alton Brown Green Bean Casserole Recipe Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
• Neutral oil, for frying
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced on a mandoline
• 1/4 cup rice flour
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 12 ounces button mushrooms, quartered
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups unsalted chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• 2 cups half and half

How To Make Alton Brown Green Bean Casserole Recipe

1. Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 350ºF with a rack in the middle.
2. Blanch Green Beans: Bring 3 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil. Boil green beans until tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath, then drain and dry.
3. Fry Onions: Heat 3/4 inch of oil in the pot to 375°F. Toss onions with rice flour and fry in batches until golden brown, about 5 minutes per batch. Season lightly with salt and set aside.
4. Cook Mushrooms: Melt butter in a skillet. Add mushrooms, 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper. Cook until browned and liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
5. Add Garlic and Nutmeg: Stir in garlic and nutmeg; cook for 30 seconds.
6. Add Flour and Cook: Sift flour over mushrooms and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
7. Add Liquids: Stir in sherry vinegar, then slowly stir in chicken broth, scraping up bits. Bring to a simmer, then add half and half. Simmer until thick, about 12 minutes.
8. Assemble Casserole: Stir in green beans and half the fried onions. Top with remaining onions.
9. Bake: Transfer to oven and bake until sauce is bubbly and onions are browned, about 10 minutes.

Recipe Tips

• Make Onions Ahead: Fried onions can be made up to a week in advance and stored airtight at room temperature.
• Use a Salad Spinner: It helps dry the green beans quickly after the ice bath.
• Sauté Mushrooms Thoroughly: Let all liquid evaporate for the best flavor and texture.
• Simmer Sauce Slowly: This ensures it thickens properly and becomes creamy.
• Customize Seasoning: Adjust salt and pepper to taste before baking.

What To Serve With Green Bean Casserole

This casserole pairs well with classic mains like roasted turkey, glazed ham, or grilled chicken. It’s also excellent alongside mashed potatoes, stuffing, or cranberry sauce for a holiday meal.

How To Store Green Bean Casserole

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Freeze: Freeze in a sealed baking dish for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Green Bean Casserole Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 310
• Total Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Sugar: 5g
• Protein: 7g
• Sodium: 780mg

FAQs

Can I use canned green beans instead of fresh?
Fresh is best for texture, but canned can be used in a pinch—just skip the blanching step.

Is there a substitute for sherry vinegar?
You can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar as alternatives.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it vegetarian.

What if I don’t have a mandoline?
You can thinly slice the onions by hand with a sharp knife—just try to keep them uniformly thin.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the casserole without the fried onion topping, refrigerate, and add onions just before baking.

Try More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Guacamole Recipe
• Alton Brown Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
• Alton Brown Eggnog Recipe