Irresistible Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Recipe from Scratch Easily
A comforting classic green bean casserole made from scratch with fresh ingredients and a homemade crispy onion topping, slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours (low) or 1.5 to 2 hours (high)
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (low) or 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour for gluten-free version)
- 2 cups whole milk or 2% milk (almond or oat milk for dairy-free)
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth, low sodium preferred
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups French fried onions (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse 1 ½ pounds of fresh green beans and trim the ends. Cut into roughly 2-inch pieces.
- In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until translucent and slightly golden.
- Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the butter and onion mixture. Whisk constantly for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Let the sauce simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon soy sauce, salt, and black pepper to taste. Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese if using and stir until melted.
- Place the prepared green beans into the crockpot. Pour the creamy sauce over the beans and stir gently to coat evenly. Cover with the lid.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours until green beans are tender but not mushy.
- About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle 1 ½ cups of French fried onions evenly over the casserole. Replace the lid and cook for a few more minutes to warm the onions while keeping them crispy.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
If the sauce is too thick after slow cooking, stir in a splash of milk before serving to loosen it. Add crispy onions late to keep them crunchy; add half earlier and half just before serving if preferred. Fresh green beans are recommended over frozen to avoid excess water and runny casserole. The recipe can be adapted for vegan and gluten-free diets by substituting butter, milk, broth, flour, and fried onions accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the cas
- Calories: 220
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
Keywords: green bean casserole, crockpot, slow cooker, homemade, comfort food, holiday side dish, fresh green beans, crispy onion topping