Published 11/14/2021 • Updated 11/28/2023 Our healthy green bean casserole is a reader favorite Thanksgiving side dish, so we thought it would be fun to put a vegan twist on this classic recipe. Today’s recipe for vegan green bean casserole is made with fresh green beans and the most scrumptious homemade mushroom gravy you’ve ever tried. It’s completely dairy free and we share tips to make it gluten free, too! This wholesome casserole comes together with a base of fresh green beans (no pre-cooking required!) that are mixed with a roux-based mushroom gravy and baked to perfection in the oven. Top it off with fried onions for the ultimate vegan side dish. And, if you’re thinking… a vegan green bean casserole made without butter and milk? Trust us! This vegan green bean casserole tastes just like the traditional version made with simple swaps for a totally plant-based alternative.
What You Need for Vegan Green Bean Casserole
There are 2 parts to this from-scratch green bean casserole. Here’s what you’ll need for each:
For the Casserole
Fresh green beans Mushrooms Onion + garlic Fried onions Olive oil
For the Roux
Flour Almond milk Olive oil Worcestershire sauce Salt + pepper Garlic powder + thyme Vegetable broth
Vegan Green Bean Casserole Variations
Customize this naturally vegan green bean casserole with any of these swaps and substitutions: Almond Milk: Use any kind of plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk in this casserole. Fried Onions: We kept it simple and used store-bought fried onions. You could also make your own fried onions by following the instructions in our healthy green bean casserole recipe (these are vegetarian but not vegan). Or, swap the onions for toasted breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs! Gluten Free: Swap the white whole wheat flour for an all-purpose GF flour blend and make sure to use GF Worcestershire sauce (some sauces can be sneaky with ingredients).
Storage
Store leftover vegan green bean casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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!
Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
Green Beans Almondine (sub butter for more olive oil) Delicata Squash Baked Sweet Potatoes Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes (use vegan butter and dairy free yogurt) Roasted Root Vegetables Vegan Mushroom Gravy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
We don’t recommend freezing this casserole to enjoy later. The mushroom gravy turns gravy when thawed and reheated.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat this casserole, microwave individual portions OR transfer the casserole to a frying pan and reheat on low/medium heat until warmed through, about 10 minutes.
Make Ahead Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Free up valuable stovetop space around the holidays and make this vegan green bean casserole ahead of time! Prepare the casserole through step 7. Let cool, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, continue with the recipe as written (you may need to add a few minutes to the bake time).
Serving Suggestions
Serve this green bean casserole alongside all of your favorite holiday recipes for a vegan option that everyone loves! This plant-based casserole is delicious with other classics like cornbread stuffing or butternut squash quinoa stuffing, sweet potatoes au gratin, bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts, and twice baked potatoes.
