Are you searching for a creamy dairy-free green bean casserole recipe without the fuss? This scratch recipe skips the condensed mushroom soup, and is made with a quick sauce that absorbs more goodness from the classic French fried onions. It’s also seasoned with herbs and benefits from the addition of fresh mushrooms, onion, and carrot (or bell pepper!) for a wonderful, comforting flavor.
Creamy Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole without Condensed Soup
This from scratch green bean casserole recipe is adapted from a recipe that was originally published in the Quad City Times. It differs from our Campbell’s copycat in a few ways. And though it’s suitable for most holidays, and even weeknight dinners, we think of this as the “Christmas” version because of the ingredient additions.
Why You’ll Love this Creamy Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole
- No Canned Soup: We make a quick, from-scratch sauce so you don’t need to worry about the dairy, MSG, or preservatives in condensed soup.
- Elevated Flavor: Fresh mushrooms, carrot, and herbs move beyond the Campbell’s classic recipe for a fresh, nuanced flavor that’s still family friendly.
- Quick and Easy: It can be ready in 30 minutes or less!
- Pantry Help: This recipe uses canned French-style beans means no blanching or chopping of the beans is needed.
- Allergy Friendly: This version is vegan, dairy-free, and nut-free (no blender cashews needed!). It can also be gluten-free, soy-free, and more, as needed.
- Healthier Twists: The use of cornstarch instead of a roux and the addition of vegetables and herbs adds nutrition and lightens this classic up. But the fried onions keep the comfort factor!
Recipe FAQs
What Type of Milk Alternative Should I Use?
The choice is yours, since most types will perform fine. Just make sure it is unsweetened. We tested this recipe with plain unsweetened soymilk, but I it should work well with other types. If using oat milk or rice milk, make sure it contains low to no sugars in the nutrition facts.
Does Bouillon Contain Dairy?
Many brands do contain dairy. Be sure to choose a dairy-free brand, like
Can I Use Chicken Bouillon?
Yes, if you aren’t concerned about strictly vegan or vegetarian, you can use a dairy-free chicken bouillon.
The Sauce Looks to Thin. Should I Thicken it More?
The fried onions stirred into the sauce will act like breading, soaking up a lot of the liquid as it bakes. If you want a thicker sauce, you can increase the starch to 1 1/2 tablespoons. Also, make sure you thoroughly drain the green beans. You can even set them on a tea towel to remove added moisture.
Can I Omit the Carrots and/or Mushrooms?
Of course, I don’t recommend it. They both add depth of flavor to this dish, and even some added color and nutrition. But if you are quite averse to either, you can omit them. Another alternative for the carrot, is to add diced red bell pepper. This also makes the dish more festive.
What Size French Fried Onions Do I Need?
You’ll need about 4 ounces. So I would get two 2.8-ounce canisters (you’ll use 1 1/2 of them) or one 6-ounce canister (you’ll have leftovers).
Special Diet Notes: Creamy Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. Just be sure to use milk alternative, bouillon, and fried onions that suit your dietary needs.
For a gluten-free casserole, source gluten-free crispy fried onions. and gluten-free bouillon.
Creamy Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole (No Soup)
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and mushrooms and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir the salt, pepper, garlic, and any herbs you are using into the vegetables and sauté for 1 minute.
- Heat the milk alternative and bouillon in a medium saucepan, stirring until the bouillon cube disintegrates. Do not boil or scald the dairy-free milk - just heat it.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the water and starch.
- Whisk the starch water into the milk alternative mixture in your saucepan, and continue whisk as it starts to thicken.
- Quickly add the can of green beans, the sautéed vegetables and seasonings, and about half of French-fried onions, and stir well.
- Pour the creamy vegetable mixture into a casserole dish or baking pan and top with remaining French-fried onions.
- Bake the casserole for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the onions begin to brown.
6 Comments
How many servings is this?
Hi Meghan, it auto-pulled my name as the author, but this was a contributed recipe. I looked, and it should serve 6, but I think a very large can of green beans was used. If using a standard-sized can, you might want to use 2 cans.
Is it safe to assume that I can substitute Soy milk for Almond milk instead?
Yes, as long as the almond milk flavor works for you in this! Almond milk does have less protein, so it will thicken just a bit less.
What milk do you suggest that’s dairy free?
For most cooking, I use unsweetened coconut milk beverage from So Delicious, but your favorite type for cooking should work well. Just make sure it is plain, unsweetened, and doesn’t taste sweet at all (0g to 1g sugar per serving and no added sweeteners).