Green bean casserole is a staple on many Thanksgiving tables, beloved for its creamy, comforting flavors and ease of preparation. But while this veggie dish seems like it’s been around forever, it actually has a relatively short history, invented by a trailblazing home economist in the 1950s. Let’s explore the fascinating story behind the creation of the green bean casserole.
What Is Green Bean Casserole?
This holiday favorite consists of just a few simple ingredients green beans cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce black pepper, and crunchy fried onions on top. The ingredients are combined, baked briefly until hot and bubbly, and ready to serve as a comforting side dish.
Despite having only six components, the casserole packs in savory umami flavor from the mushrooms and soy sauce, richness from the soup and milk, crisp texture from the onions, and of course, vegetable goodness from the green beans.
It’s a winning formula considering about 20 million Americans enjoy green bean casserole each Thanksgiving!
When Was It Invented?
Green bean casserole was invented in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly while she worked in the Campbell’s Soup Company test kitchen.
Born in 1926 in New Jersey, Dorcas studied home economics in college before being hired at Campbell’s. She worked her way up to supervisor of the test kitchen at a time when very few women held corporate leadership roles.
In 1955, Campbell’s asked Dorcas to create a recipe using their products that could be promoted by the Associated Press. She tinkered with combinations of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, green beans, and other handy ingredients.
The final six-ingredient recipe for “Green Bean Bake” was born, destined to become an American classic. It was later renamed green bean casserole
Why Did It Catch On?
Dorcas’ recipe was well-suited for the trends of 1950s America that made convenience cooking popular. These influences included:
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Canned food ubiquity – Canning technology advancements made packaged canned foods affordable and widely available.
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Post-war lifestyle – With more women working outside the home, easy recipes were in demand.
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Campbell’s promotion – Printing the recipe on soup cans brought it nationwide attention.
In a era emphasizing convenience, Dorcas’ simple, fast green bean casserole was a perfect fit. America fell in love with the creamy, crunchy side dish.
How Did It Become a Thanksgiving Tradition?
As green bean casserole grew in popularity in the 1950s and 60s, a few factors helped cement it as a Thanksgiving tradition:
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Limited ingredients required – The simple recipe was ideal for holidays since it required few ingredients that families likely already had on hand.
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Comforting taste – Its rich, warm flavors matched well with traditional Thanksgiving dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.
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Memorable texture – The crunchy fried onion topping contrasted pleasingly with the creamy bean mixture.
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Nostalgia factor – As generations made the dish for Thanksgiving meals, nostalgia kicked in, ensuring its place at the table year after year.
These advantages have made green bean casserole a staple dish associated with Thanksgiving for over 60 years and counting.
Dorcas Reilly’s Legacy
Dorcas Reilly humbly pioneered multiple American staples from tuna noodle casserole to sloppy joes, but none surpassed green bean casserole in popularity.
Although she created many recipes for Campbell’s, Dorcas was surprised when green bean casserole became such a widespread phenomenon. She showed characteristic modesty about her famous recipe throughout her life.
Dorcas also broke ground as a woman succeeding in the male-dominated corporate world starting in the 1950s. She later returned to Campbell’s after raising her children, proving her talents again by directing the company’s test kitchen until retirement.
This unassuming female innovator left an indelible mark on American cuisine with her green bean casserole. Dorcas passed away in 2018 at age 92, but her holiday recipe lives on nationwide.
Trying New Twists on a Classic
Part of green bean casserole’s appeal through the decades has been its consistency – families can count on the same comforting flavors every Thanksgiving.
But recently, many home cooks have started exploring fresh twists on the retro recipe while preserving its essence. Some ideas include:
- Substitute homemade cream sauce for canned soup
- Mix in sauteed mushrooms, garlic, or shallots
- Top with crispy bacon pieces or fried shallots instead of onions
- Blend in herbs like thyme, sage, or rosemary
- Toss beans in lemon juice and black pepper before baking
Feel free to get creative with spin-off recipes that retain the core elements of this timeless Thanksgiving side. Dorcas would likely approve of keeping her classic dish updated for new generations!
Green bean casserole has become so ingrained in American holiday culture that it’s hard to imagine Thanksgiving without it. This humble yet brilliantly conceived recipe from 1955 has earned a permanent spot at our tables. While we often take it for granted, the innovation behind the iconic green bean casserole deserves appreciation.
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The green bean casserole was invented in New Jersey
FAQ
Where did the green bean casserole originate?
What is the oldest known casserole?
Why is green bean casserole popular for Thanksgiving?
Did the Pilgrims eat green bean casserole?
What is green bean casserole?
Green bean casserole is an American baked dish consisting primarily of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and french fried onions . It is a popular side dish for Thanksgiving dinners in the United States and has been described as iconic. The recipe was created in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly at the Campbell Soup Company.
Who created green bean casserole?
1. Green Bean Casserole was created by a Campbell Soup Company employee, Dorcas Reilly, at our Camden, New Jersey headquarters in 1955. She was one of the first full-time members of Campbell’s Home Economics department—now known as the Campbell Test Kitchen, where I work.
Does Campbell’s sell green bean casserole?
Green bean casserole has endured over the ages, with 40 percent of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup sales going towards making the dish, a spokesperson told Rao in 2015.
How many ingredients are in a green bean casserole?
4. To this day, the recipe calls for only six ingredients: canned or fresh green beans, Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup, soy sauce, black pepper, milk, and French-fried onions. 5. Green Bean Casseroles are served at 20 million Thanksgiving dinners every year.