Alton Brown's Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe

April 27, 2023 Post a Comment

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Alton Brown Green Bean Casserole. Huge hit. Green bean casserole, Green bean cassarole recipe from www.pinterest.com

Description

Green bean casserole is a classic side dish that is often served during the holidays. While there are many variations of this recipe, Alton Brown's version is considered by many to be the best. This recipe features fresh green beans, a homemade creamy mushroom sauce, and a crispy onion topping.

Prep Time

The prep time for this recipe is about 20 minutes. This includes washing and trimming the green beans, making the mushroom sauce, and preparing the onion topping.

Cook Time

The cook time for this recipe is about 30 minutes. This includes blanching the green beans, baking the casserole, and cooking the onion topping.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 can (2.8 ounces) French fried onions

Equipment

Large pot
Large bowl of ice water
Skillet
Baking dish

Method

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain the beans and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and mushrooms and sauté until the mushrooms release their liquid, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute more.
Add the flour to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, making sure there are no lumps. Whisk in the cream, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat them in the mushroom sauce.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle the French fried onions over the top.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the onions are golden brown.
Serve hot.

Notes

This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Simply prepare the casserole as directed, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed.

Nutrition Info

This recipe serves 8 and has approximately 248 calories per serving. It also contains 19 grams of fat, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of protein.

Recipes FAQ

Can I use canned green beans instead of fresh?

While it is possible to use canned green beans for this recipe, fresh green beans give the casserole a much better texture and flavor.

Can I use a different type of onion for the topping?

While French fried onions are the traditional topping for green bean casserole, you can use other types of onions if you prefer. Sliced onions that have been lightly coated in flour and fried until crispy would work well.

Can I use a different type of mushroom?

While Alton Brown's recipe calls for sliced white mushrooms, you could use other types of mushrooms if you prefer. Cremini mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms would both work well.

Recipe Tips

Be sure to blanch the green beans before adding them to the skillet. This will help them cook evenly and will prevent them from becoming mushy.
When making the mushroom sauce, be sure to whisk constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
If you want to make this recipe vegetarian, you can substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
If you prefer a spicier casserole, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper to your liking.