Green Bean Classic Dish (Print Version)

Tender green beans in creamy mushroom sauce topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for holiday dinners.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or 1 lb frozen, thawed)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced

→ Sauce

05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
09 - 1/2 cup sour cream
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

→ Topping

13 - 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and transfer immediately to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain again and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add chopped onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and mushrooms; cook an additional 5 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and become tender.
04 - Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk and vegetable broth. Cook, stirring, until sauce thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sour cream, salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg until smooth.
06 - Add drained green beans to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
07 - Transfer the mixture to a greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
08 - Bake for 25 minutes until bubbling. Remove from oven, add remaining fried onions on top, and bake an additional 5 minutes until golden brown.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent but comes together in under an hour, making it the perfect side dish when you're juggling a million things.
  • The combination of creamy sauce and crispy onions creates a texture contrast that keeps people coming back for more.
  • You can prep it a day ahead and bake it fresh, which takes all the stress out of holiday cooking.
02 -
  • Don't skip the ice bath for the green beans—it stops them from cooking further and keeps them from turning olive-drab in the oven.
  • That pinch of nutmeg isn't a suggestion; it's the flavor that makes people say 'what IS that?' and changes everything.
  • Add the sour cream after removing from heat, not while it's boiling, or it will separate and break, turning grainy instead of smooth.
03 -
  • Toast the mushrooms in a dry pan first to release their moisture before adding butter—this concentrates their flavor and prevents a watery sauce.
  • A small splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire stirred into the sauce adds a savory depth that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is.
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