Published 11/4/2021 • Updated 11/27/2023 The holidays are upon us and we’re excited to share our recipe for green bean casserole with bacon, a delicious twist on a classic holiday side dish. This completely homemade version is made with fresh green beans, a scrumptious bacon roux, and a bacon and breadcrumb topping. This holiday casserole is everything we love about traditional green bean casserole without cream of mushroom soup or canned fried onions. We’ll teach you how to make an easy roux that creates a thick, creamy bacon gravy. Toss it with green beans, onion, and cooked bacon and bake it up to perfection in the oven. Top it all off with a breadcrumb topping – it crisps up and adds a delightful crunch!
What You Need for Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Fresh green beans White onion Thick-cut bacon Flour Milk + broth Fresh thyme Worcestershire sauce Salt + pepper Plain breadcrumbs Dried spices
Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Variations
Here are a few green bean casserole swaps and variations to try: Broth: Technically, this recipe calls for beef broth, but any broth will do. We love using beef broth because the flavor is so rich and delicious. Spices: Make this casserole your own with your favorite spices. You could even kick it up a notch with a pinch of cayenne pepper! No Bacon: For a green bean casserole without bacon, try our recipe for healthy green bean casserole. It’s so good!
Storage
Store any leftover green bean casserole with bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to serve, reheat individual portions in the microwave or transfer all of the leftovers to a frying pan and heat on low/medium for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
Looking for more healthy Thanksgiving recipes to fill your holiday table with? Check out all of our best turkey day recipes in one spot!
Veggie Side Dishes
Green Beans Almondine Roasted Delicata Squash Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
We don’t recommend freezing this green bean casserole as the bacon roux becomes grainy when thawed and reheated.
Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
To make this green bean casserole ahead of time, prepare the recipe through step 11. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Wait to make the breadcrumb topping until immediately prior to baking. When ready to serve, bake as directed – you may need to add a few minutes to the bake time as the casserole was chilled going into the oven.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade green bean casserole with bacon is a tasty addition to any Thanksgiving, Christmas, or holiday table. It’s wonderfully savory and pairs well with other classic sides like crockpot mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and sausage stuffing.
