Does Green Bean Casserole Have Gluten?

Green bean casserole is a beloved Thanksgiving side dish in many households With its combination of green beans, creamy mushroom soup and crispy fried onions, it’s comfort food at its finest. But for those who follow a gluten-free diet, enjoying this classic dish can be tricky due to potential sources of gluten. Let’s take a closer look at the common ingredients in green bean casserole and how to easily modify it to be gluten-free.

Traditional Green Bean Casserole Typically Contains Gluten

The traditional recipe for green bean casserole calls for two ingredients that contain gluten

• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup Most popular brands of canned condensed soups contain wheat flour as a thickening agent. Unless you purchase a certified gluten-free brand, these soups are off-limits on a gluten-free diet

• Crispy Fried Onions: These crunchy onions are tossed in wheat flour before frying to get that crispy coating. So they are not gluten-free in their traditional form.

So in its classic preparation, green bean casserole is not gluten-free. But have no fear, with a couple simple swaps, you can easily modify this dish to be safe for a gluten-free lifestyle.

How to Make Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole

Making a gluten-free green bean casserole only requires two modifications but delivers all the same comforting flavors.

Use Gluten-Free Condensed Soup

There are a couple easy options for gluten-free cream of mushroom soup:

• Purchase pre-made gluten-free condensed soup. Several brands such as Pacific Foods, Progresso and Health Valley make gluten-free versions. Just double check the label to confirm gluten-free status.

• Make homemade condensed soup. Simply prepare your favorite mushroom soup recipe and simmer until reduced and thickened to a condensed consistency.

• Use a slurry to thicken regular mushroom soup. Mix cornstarch or arrowroot powder with cold water to form a slurry. Add to heated regular mushroom soup while whisking continuously until thickened.

Any of these alternatives provide the creamy base without gluten. I like to add extra seasoning like garlic powder, onion powder and Worcestershire sauce to boost the flavor.

Prepare Crispy Onions Without Flour

You can buy pre-made gluten-free crispy fried onions from brands like French’s. But it’s also easy to make them at home:

• Soak thinly sliced onions in milk or buttermilk for 30 minutes. This helps soften them so they fry up extra crispy.

• Drain onions and toss with seasoning like salt, pepper and paprika.

• Fry onions in oil until deeply golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes.

• Drain on paper towels and sprinkle on top of the casserole.

The milk gives the onions crispiness without any need for flour. My family actually prefers the flavor of these gluten-free homemade onions!

Additional Tips for Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole

Here are a few more tips for ensuring a gluten-free green bean casserole:

• Use fresh or frozen green beans. Canned beans may have thickeners that contain gluten.

• Check labels on all ingredients for gluten-free status. Watch out for worcestershire sauce, seasonings and even fried onions.

• Opt for naturally gluten-free breadcrumbs rather than panko if topping with breadcrumbs instead of fried onions.

• Use cornstarch, arrowroot or tapioca starch instead of wheat flour if needing to thicken.

• Prepare in a fresh pan to prevent cross-contamination from glutenous dishes.

Make Ahead and Freezing Tips

One bonus of green bean casserole is that it lends itself nicely to make-ahead prep:

• Cook fresh green beans 1-2 days ahead. Shock in ice bath to stop cooking then refrigerate until ready to use.

• Prepare gluten-free soup and store covered in fridge up to 5 days.

• Combine green beans and soup up to 1 day ahead. Top with onions and bake just before serving.

• Assemble entire casserole, cover and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake just until heated through. The onions won’t be quite as crispy but still delicious!