Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it is centered around food! This Gluten-free, Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole features tender green beans smothered in a creamy, dairy-free mushroom sauce and topped with crispy, gluten-free fried onions. This casserole is a delectable and allergy-friendly twist on a classic holiday favorite and best of all, no canned soup!

Since sides are the best part of Thanksgiving, I also love making this recipe with dairy-free mashed potatoes and roasted delicata squash. Your guests will not be disappointed!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Dietary restrictions: These are never a fun thing to navigate during the holiday season, but this gluten-free and dairy-free green bean casserole makes it easy to navigate many restrictions that your guests may have. It is also plant-based.

Make ahead: We all know that it can be tough to time the cooking for everything on Thanksgiving, but this recipe is one that you can make ahead and reheat the day of.

Ingredients You Will Need

Green Beans: are a low-calorie vegetable rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins K, C, and A, along with dietary fiber. Helping support bone health, boost the immune system, and aid in maintaining healthy vision and skin green beans are a great addition to a plate.

Coconut Milk: A dairy-free alternative that is rich in healthy fats, particularly medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which can provide a quick source of energy. It also contains essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium, contributing to heart health and promoting proper muscle and nerve function.

Cashews: have essential minerals like magnesium and copper. They can help support heart health by reducing bad cholesterol levels, promoting bone health, and aiding in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Olive Oil: It is really important to get a high-quality olive oil and one that is 100% olive oil and single origin, the food industry likes to cut corners when it comes to oils so be sure you check your labels.

Ghee: clarified butter made by simmering butter to remove the water content and milk solids, resulting in a rich, nutty, and lactose-free cooking fat with a high smoke point. It is not technically dairy-free but is usually tolerated by most people with lactose issues since the milk solids are removed.

Baby Bella Mushrooms: Mushrooms are one of the very few foods that are a good source of Vitamin D, which helps with bone health and immune function. Outside of that, mushrooms are also known to reduce the risk of chronic disease, too!

White Onion: Onions are full of antioxidants that help fight inflammation. They also have folate, manganese, and some vitamin C. They are antibacterial, help digestion (for some), and can help reduce your risk of cancer.

Garlic: is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It helps fight many diseases like the common cold, heart disease, and others.

Parsley: is a versatile herb that goes great in many dishes. It is packed full of antioxidants and vitamins that support your brain health, immune system, and even your bone health.

Rosemary: is high in antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory compounds. With all of these benefits, rosemary can help improve memory, digestion, heart health and so much more. It is an herb that goes so well with many dishes!

Sage: an aromatic herb that has many health benefits such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It can help with digestive health, oral health, and skin health.

Thyme: is an herb from the mint family! It may also provide numerous health benefits, such as fighting acne, regulating mucus, fighting infections, and helping boost your overall immune system.

Sliced Almond: have high levels of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Consuming almonds can help lower the risk of heart disease, and provide a good source of antioxidants and energy-boosting nutrients.

Gluten-free Crispy Onions: I really like the 365 brand from Whole Foods, but any gluten-free brand will work.

Salt and Pepper

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Heat a large cast iron pan to medium heat. Bring a pot of water to a boil.

Boil Green Beans. Add green beans to boiling water for 2-4 minutes (until vibrant green), then quickly transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.

Saute. When the pan is hot, add ghee and olive oil. Once ghee is melted, add white onion, mushrooms and garlic to the pan and saute for 5 minutes.

Blend. While the veggies are sauteing, combine coconut milk and cashews in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Add a tablespoon of water at a time if needed. This should be a thick, creamy sauce.

Make the casserole. Add cashew cream sauce to the pan with the veggies and bring it to a simmer. Stirring frequently. Then add green beans to the pan and toss until they are all evenly coated in the cashew cream sauce.

Bake. Cover the pan with foil and put it in the oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the foil, add crunch onions and slice almonds to the top of the casserole. Bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the green beans are tender, yet still have a crunch to them.

Serve and Enjoy.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Troubleshooting: These green beans are fresh and crispy. If you like a more traditional green bean casserole you can steam the green beans prior to adding the sauce!

Sauce: If the sauce needs to be thinned out, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until desired consistency.

Recipe Variations

Whole30: Dairy-free green bean casserole is easily adapted to make it Whole30! Just remove the crispy onions and add extra sliced almonds.

Nut allergies: Feel free to leave off the almonds for anyone who has a nut allergy. For the coconut milk, you can replace it with any nut-free milk as a replacement.

Storage Tips

After serving: store in an air-tight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. I do not recommend freezing.

Prior to serving: If you are making this recipe ahead of time and storing it until Thanksgiving, store it in the refrigerator in a cast iron pan or baking dish covered with foil for up to 2 days. Then bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until the casserole is heated all the way through.

FAQs About Gluten Free Dairy Free Green Bean Casserole

Does green bean casserole contain dairy?

Typically green bean casserole does contain dairy, however, this recipe is completely dairy-free. It uses coconut milk as a replacement.

What canned green beans are gluten-free?

At the time of this post, Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans are gluten-free. Be sure to always check the ingredients, as companies tend to change ingredients frequently.

Can celiacs eat green beans?

Yes! Green beans are naturally gluten-free and safe for people with celiac.