Come Thanksgiving and Christmas you can bet that green bean casserole will make an appearance on many dinner tables. This classic holiday casserole combining green beans cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions is a staple that has been popular since the 1950s. But with all the cooking and prep required on the big day, is it possible to assemble this dish ahead of time?
The good news is yes, you can absolutely assemble green bean casserole in advance In fact, doing some of the prep work ahead helps streamline cooking on the holiday. Here are some tips for putting together this tasty casserole early without sacrificing any flavor or texture.
How Far in Advance Can You Make Green Bean Casserole?
One of the best things about green bean casserole is that the entire dish can be assembled 1-2 days before baking. Here are the optimal time frames:
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1-2 days in advance: Assemble the entire casserole in the baking dish, cover, and store in the refrigerator.
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1 month in advance: Cook the green bean mixture and prepare the sauce. Store separately in the refrigerator.
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2-3 months in advance: Purchase and measure out all dry ingredients like the fried onions. Freeze any prepped veggies like mushrooms and onions.
The one thing you don’t want to do is bake the casserole more than 2 days in advance. Baking releases moisture and affects the texture. For best results, always bake the casserole right before serving.
Step-by-Step Method for Assembling Ahead
Follow these steps for seamlessly pulling together green bean casserole before the big day:
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Cook the green beans until just tender. Shock in ice water to stop cooking and preserve color. Drain well.
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Cook any aromatics like mushrooms, onions, garlic, etc.
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Make the sauce, combining cream of mushroom soup, milk, spices, etc.
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Mix the green beans, aromatics, and sauce together in a baking dish.
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Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Refrigerate up to 2 days.
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When ready to bake, remove foil and plastic. Top with fried onions.
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Bake at 350°F until browned and bubbly, about 25 minutes.
The key is to not overcook the beans initially so they don’t get mushy. Everything can go in the baking dish except the onion topping which should be added just before baking.
Handling the Components Separately
If you need to get an even earlier start, the green bean mixture and the sauce can be made 1 month in advance and kept separately.
For the beans, boil until just tender, drain, and portion into freezer bags. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
For the sauce, prepare as directed but don’t add beans. Portion into containers and refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight before using.
This allows you to get a head start without compromising texture. Just combine everything in the baking dish 1-2 days before serving.
Shopping Early for Non-Perishables
Certain items for green bean casserole can be purchased well in advance:
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Canned fried onions – These shelf-stable pantry items stay fresh for months. Stock up early.
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Dried herbs/spices – Dried seasonings last 6 months to 1 year. Measure out what you need ahead.
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Broth/soup – Low sodium broth or cream soups keep for 5-7 days refrigerated.
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Mushrooms – Buy fresh mushrooms up to 5 days early or substitute canned.
Getting some of the non-perishable components ready to go will make the assembly process smoother.
Recipes That Work Well for Making Ahead
Certain recipes hold up better to advance prep than others. Here are some excellent options:
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Classic Green Bean Casserole – The classic made with cream of mushroom soup can be fully assembled 1-2 days ahead.
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Roasted Green Bean Casserole – Roasting the beans gives great flavor. Assemble completely the day before.
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Lighter Green Bean Casserole – With Greek yogurt and fewer processed ingredients, this still assembles easily in advance.
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Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole – Make the beans, sauce, and onions in a slow cooker then store. Combine and bake on the holiday.
The basic method remains the same – cook the beans just until tender, make a creamy sauce, then combine everything in a baking dish and top with crunchy onions right before baking.
Handy Tips for Making Ahead Without a Hassle
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Choose frozen or fresh green beans over canned – frozen stay crisper and fresh beans have the best texture.
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Undercook the green beans slightly – they’ll finish cooking while baking.
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Drain the beans and sauce well so excess moisture doesn’t make the casserole watery.
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Use a shallow, wide baking dish – this allows the casserole to reheat evenly in less time.
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Let the casserole sit at room temperature 30 minutes before baking – this helps it bake more quickly.
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Press plastic wrap directly on the surface before covering tightly – this prevents drying out.
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Bake at 400°F to quickly reheat and brown the top without overcooking.
With a few simple tricks, you can enjoy a homemade green bean casserole without the last minute rush. Now that’s something to be thankful for!
Step-by-Step Photo Instructions for Making Ahead
If you’re a visual learner, these simple photo instructions help illustrate the process of assembling green bean casserole in advance:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Gather all the components – cooked green beans, sauce, fried onions, seasonings, etc. Having everything prepped makes assembly easier.
<img src=”https://i.ibb.co/0Q9xrxS/green-bean-casserole-Ingredients.jpg” alt=”green bean casserole ingredients” border=”0″ height=”400″>
Step 2: Mix the Green Bean Filling
Combine the green beans, sauce, and any aromatics like mushrooms in a baking dish until well incorporated.
<img src=”https://i.ibb.co/sHBLRNf/green-bean-casserole-mixed.jpg” alt=”green bean casserole mixed” border=”0″ height=”400″>
Step 3: Cover and Refrigerate
Cover the assembled casserole tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on the surface. Seal with foil and refrigerate up to 2 days.
<img src=”https://i.ibb.co/0s5SXgC/green-bean-casserole-covered.jpg” alt=”green bean casserole covered” border=”0″ height=”400″>
Step 4: Finish and Bake
Remove plastic and foil. Top with fried onions. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and browned.
<img src=”https://i.ibb.co/59y7kjT/green-bean-casserole-baked.jpg” alt=”baked green bean casserole” border=”0″ height=”400″>
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about making green bean casserole ahead:
Should you thaw frozen green beans before adding to the casserole?
Yes, always thaw frozen green beans completely before using in the casserole. Excess moisture from frozen beans can make the casserole watery.
Can you prepare everything except the fried onions ahead of time?
Absolutely. Fried onions can become soggy if assembled too far in advance. Add them right before baking.
How long is leftover assembled green bean casserole good for?
Leftover fully assembled casserole will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Can you assemble green bean casserole without baking it?
You can assemble the entire unbaked casserole 1-2 days in advance but it’s best baked right before serving for the freshest taste and texture.
Should you stir the casserole after baking and before serving?
Gently stirring after baking helps distribute the crispy fried onions throughout. Be careful not to break up the green beans.
Make Holiday Meal Prep a Breeze
Assembling green bean casserole ahead takes one thing off your plate on busy holidays. With the right recipes and techniques, you can enjoy from-scratch flavor without the last-minute scramble. Use these tips to prep your casserole early and simplify your holiday cooking. Just be prepared for the dish to disappear quickly with every bite of creamy green beans and crunchy onions!
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