What Goes Well with Green Bean Casserole? 42 Tasty Side Dish Ideas

Green bean casserole is a beloved holiday staple that has graced Thanksgiving tables for decades. Its creamy mushroom sauce pairs deliciously with the tender green beans and crispy fried onions on top But figuring out what sides to serve alongside this classic can be tricky.

In this article, I’ll suggest over 40 delicious side dishes that complement green bean casserole perfectly From hearty roasts to lighter salads and flavorful veggie sides, you’ll find plenty of ideas to round out your holiday spread or weekly dinner.

Hearty Roasted Meats

Pairing green bean casserole with roasted meat is a no-brainer The earthy mushrooms and onions in the casserole match well with savory herbs and spices on the meat. Here are some of my favorite roasts and chops to serve

• Cajun Turkey – For Thanksgiving, rub the turkey with a blend of smoky Cajun spices. It adds a kick of heat and flavor.

• Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb – Elegant rack of lamb encrusted with rosemary, thyme and garlic is sure to impress.

• Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin – Crispy bacon hugs a juicy pork loin for a perfect sweet and salty combo.

• Balsamic and Garlic Roasted Chicken – Balsamic vinegar gives this roast chicken a tangy glaze.

• Citrus-Herb Turkey Breast – For a smaller gathering, marinate just a turkey breast in orange, lemon, thyme and sage.

• Greek-Style Grilled Lamb Chops – Bold Greek flavors like lemon, oregano and yogurt liven up simple lamb chops.

Comforting Casseroles and Bakes

Sometimes you want a warm, hearty casserole alongside the green bean casserole. Consider these comforting baked dishes:

• Sausage and Herb Stuffing – Flavorful sausage and onion mixed with cubed bread makes for a savory stuffing.

• Baked Mac and Cheese – A bubbly cheese sauce over elbow pasta never fails to satisfy. Add crispy breadcrumbs on top.

• Scalloped Potatoes – Sliced potatoes baked in a creamy white sauce are delightful.

• Sweet Potato Casserole – Candied pecans sprinkled over sweet potato halves with a brown sugar topping.

• Wild Rice Mushroom Casserole – Earthy wild rice baked with mushroom soup and cheese.

• Hashbrown Casserole – Shredded potatoes baked with cream of chicken soup, cheese and corn flakes.

Fresh Vegetable Sides

For some lighter accompaniments, various vegetable dishes pair nicely with the rich green bean casserole.

• Honey Glazed Carrots – Sweet honey and butter glaze brightens up roasted carrots.

• Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Brussels sprouts caramelize when roasted with olive oil and garlic.

• Creamy Mashed Cauliflower – For lower carb, mash cauliflower instead of potatoes.

• Green Bean Almondine – Another green bean dish! Sauteed with garlic, toasted almonds and lemon.

• Roasted Butternut Squash – Cubed butternut squash tossed in maple syrup and baked.

• Creamed Spinach – Fresh spinach made creamy with sour cream, parmesan, and nutmeg.

• Honey Balsamic Glazed Beets – Beets roasted with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze.

Delectable Breads and Rolls

Pass around a basket of warm bread or rolls to mop up the tasty sauce from the green bean casserole.

• Crescent Rolls – Flaky, buttery crescent roll dough wrapped up and baked.

• Mushroom and Thyme Bread – A savory quick bread with sauteed mushrooms and fresh thyme.

• Skillet Cornbread – Moist cornbread made in a cast iron skillet has crispy edges.

• Hawaiian Rolls – Soft, sweet dough makes these dinner rolls addictive.

• Pumpkin Dinner Rolls – With canned pumpkin puree added, these rolls are moist and mildly sweet.

• Pretzel Rolls – Chewy pretzel-style rolls with a shiny top are a fun twist.

Protein-Packed Salads

Crunchy, fresh salads help balance out the richness of green bean casserole. Try one of these satisfying salads:

• Wedge Salad – Crisp iceberg lettuce wedges drenched in blue cheese dressing and bacon crumbles.

• Steakhouse Salad – Grilled steak over mixed greens with blue cheese, tomatoes, and vinaigrette.

• Cobb Salad – Rows of turkey, bacon, eggs, avocado, tomato and blue cheese on lettuce.

• Caesar Salad – Romaine lettuce coated in creamy, garlicky Caesar dressing and parmesan.

• Taco Salad – Ground beef, tortilla chips, cheese, beans, salsa, and more piled on shredded lettuce.

• Chef’s Salad – Ham, turkey, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, and hard-boiled egg on a mix of lettuces.

Delicious Non-Turkey Main Dishes

If you want to skip the turkey this Thanksgiving, these mains pair excellently with green bean casserole:

• Glazed Spiral Ham – A classic honey glazed ham served warm is always crowd-pleasing.

• Smoked Brisket – Slow-smoked brisket sliced and served with bbq sauce is irresistible.

• Pot Roast – Fork-tender beef pot roast and vegetables in a rich gravy.

• Meatloaf – Old-fashioned beef and pork meatloaf covered in sweet ketchup glaze.

• Sausage Lasagna – A hearty red sauce lasagna layered with cheese and sausage.

• Baked Ziti – Ziti pasta baked with spicy Italian sausage, marinara, and mozzarella cheese.

Tasty Plant-Based Mains

For vegetarian and vegan guests, these plant-based mains pair well with green bean casserole:

• Lentil Shepherd’s Pie – Lentils, veggies, and vegan mashed potatoes baked into a comforting casserole.

• Eggplant Parmesan – Crispy breaded eggplant layered with tomato sauce and vegan mozzarella.

• Quinoa Stuffed Peppers – Bell peppers filled with quinoa, black beans, corn, and enchilada sauce.

• Cauliflower Steaks – Slices of cauliflower roasted until caramelized and crispy on the outside.

• Vegetable Pot Pie – A flaky vegan pie crust stuffed with carrots, peas, potatoes and onion gravy.

• Vegetable Lasagna – Layers of zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, spinach, and dairy-free ricotta and mozzarella.

Savory Sauces and Condiments

Don’t forget savory sauces and condiments to serve on the side. They can take your meal to the next level:

• Cranberry Sauce – Tart homemade or canned cranberry sauce.

• Gravy – Rich turkey, chicken, beef or mushroom gravy.

• Horseradish Sauce – Spicy prepared horseradish mixed with sour cream.

• BBQ Sauce – Sweet and tangy, great for meats and sandwiches.

• Ranch Dressing – Cool, creamy ranch for salads, veggies, and dunking.

• Hot Sauce – Offer an array of hot sauces for guests to spice it up.

The Perfect Drinks

Wash it all down with festive holiday drinks or classics:

• Apple Cider – Warm spiced apple cider is perfect for chilly weather.

• Wine – Red, white and sparkling wines to please all palates.

• Eggnog – Spiked or plain, this is a holiday must-have!

• Cranberry Spritzers – Sweet and fizzy with cranberry juice and club soda.

• Pumpkin Ale – Seasonal pumpkin beers are ideal for Thanksgiving.

• Mulled Wine – Red wine infused with oranges, cinnamon, star anise and cloves.

Final Thoughts

When planning your ultimate Thanksgiving feast or dinner, use this list to inspire your side dish and drink choices to complement the traditional green bean casserole.

Aim for a balance of flavors, colors and textures. And don’t be afraid to try new twists on old favorites. Most important, choose dishes you and your guests will genuinely enjoy.

With green bean casserole as your staple alongside the perfect assortment of hearty, fresh and savory sides