Do You Really Need Milk for Green Bean Casserole?

Green bean casserole is a beloved holiday staple. The combination of tender green beans, creamy sauce and crispy fried onions is simply irresistible. But traditional recipes rely on soup containing dairy for the signature creaminess. For those avoiding milk is there another way? Absolutely! With a few easy substitutions, you can make delicious dairy-free green bean casserole.

The Role of Milk

In traditional recipes the sauce consists of cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup mixed with milk. This provides

• Creaminess – The milkfat gives a luxuriously smooth texture.

• Binding – The proteins in milk help hold the sauce together.

• Flavor – Dairy provides a rich, savory flavor.

• Cohesion – The milk helps the beans evenly coat.

So without milk, how can we achieve a similar velvety sauce? Let’s look at some dairy-free options.

Dairy-Free Alternatives

With clever ingredient swaps, it’s easy to mimic milk’s effects:

• Coconut milk – Canned coconut milk provides creamy richness.

• Cashew cream – Blended soaked cashews make a luscious cream.

• Plant milk – Soy, almond, or oat milk add thickness.

• Vegetable purée – Silky smooth potatoes or white beans work beautifully.

• Nutritional yeast – Adds savory, cheesy notes.

• Flour – A roux of oil and flour thickens the sauce.

• Starch – Cornstarch or arrowroot help bind.

Combining a few of these gives a perfect stand-in for milk!

Recipe Development

When creating your dairy-free green bean casserole, keep these tips in mind:

• Sauté aromatics like onion and garlic for depth of flavor.

• Use vegetable broth for additional richness.

• Season well with herbs, salt, and pepper.

• For creaminess, blend in some of the beans or mushrooms.

• Stir frequently so the sauce smoothly coats beans.

• Top with toasted nuts or seeds for crunch.

With thoughtful recipe adjustments, your casserole won’t miss the dairy one bit.

Coconut Milk Sauce

One of the easiest and tastiest dairy-free sauces features coconut milk:

• Simmer sliced mushrooms and minced garlic in olive oil.

• Whisk in coconut milk, broth, flour, and seasonings.

• Cook until thickened then toss with green beans.

• Top with crispy fried onions.

The coconut milk gives this sauce a luscious texture and subtly sweet flavor.

Cashew Cream Sauce

For an extra luxurious sauce, try blended cashews:

• Soak cashews overnight then drain and blend with water into a smooth cream.

• Cook minced onion and garlic in olive oil.

• Add cashew cream, vegetable broth, flour, and spices.

• Fold in green beans once thickened.

• Top with toasted pecans.

The cashews make an incredibly rich, decadent sauce.

Potato Sauce

For a unique twist, use potato as the base:

• Purée cooked potatoes with olive oil, garlic, and broth.

• Fold in green beans and seasonings.

• Transfer to a baking dish.

• Top with crispy fried shallots.

The potato gives great consistency and body to the sauce.

Vegetarian and Vegan

With plant-based milks and broths, it’s easy to make veggie or vegan green bean casserole:

• Use vegetable or mushroom broth.

• Choose unsweetened almond, soy, oat, or cashew milk.

• Thicken with arrowroot instead of flour.

• Top with crispy fried shallots not onions.

Now anyone can enjoy this holiday favorite!

Make Ahead

To get a head start on holiday hosting, assemble your dairy-free casserole up to 2 days before baking:

• Prepare sauce and fold in green beans.

• Transfer to a baking dish and cover tightly.

• Refrigerate until ready to bake.

• Just before baking, remove cover and add topping.

With the prep work done ahead, you’ll have one less thing to worry about!

Colorful Variations

Put a fun new spin on green bean casserole with vibrant veggie variations:

• Yellow wax beans

• Purple green beans

• Shredded Brussels sprouts

• Diced carrots

• Chopped broccoli

• Shredded kale

• Shelled edamame

• Slivered snow peas

Get creative with colors and textures!

Satisfying Side

Green bean casserole is the ultimate comfort food side. With creamy sauces and crispy toppings, this vegetarian dish always satisfies. And with delicious dairy-free options using coconut milk, cashews, or potatoes, you can keep enjoying this holiday favorite even without the milk!