Easy Green Bean Casserole (Dairy-free)
This fusion, dairy-free, Easy Green Bean Casserole is made with frozen green beans and only 30 minutes to make.
This Easy Green Bean Casserole is a spin on traditional green bean casserole. I kept this recipe semi-healthy. And, by that, I mean, this green bean casserole is made with 80% clean ingredients and loaded up with fried green beans. Hence, the semi-healthy tag!
I replaced the canned soup with creamy, full-fat coconut milk and a smorgasbord of spices.
What are the ingredients needed to make this Easy Green Bean Casserole?
To make this Easy Green Bean Casserole, you will need the following 11 main ingredients, along with some salt and pepper to taste:
- Oil
I used grapeseed oil to make this dish as it is considered a high-heat oil and helps me NOT burn onions, ginger, and garlic when I am sautéing them over medium to high heat. - Red onion
I used a red onion as that is all that is in my fridge currently. You can use a yellow onion. Or, even some precut onions that are sold in the produce section of most grocery stores. Just make sure to use fresh onion and not onion powder. - Garlic
Fresh garlic adds so much flavor to this dish. - Ginger
As with the fresh onion and garlic, fresh ginger is another must for this recipe. - Frozen Green Beans
I used French-cut frozen green beans. I didn’t thaw the green beans out, as they were going to be sautéed and baked. Instead of frozen green beans, you can also substitute canned green beans or blanched fresh green beans. - Ground coriander
You can find ground coriander in the spice section of most grocery stores. - Ground smoked paprika
Ooh the flavor that this spice imparts is hard to beat. - Ground turmeric
I used a tad bit of turmeric for a bit of flavor and for coloring. - Ground cinnamon
You might think cinnamon does not fit into this recipe, but, it adds such a subtle flavor boost and unites all the other spices beautifully. - Coconut milk
Ever since I stumbled on Embre coconut milk, it has been my go-to when I need coconut milk for a dish. I feel not all coconut milk is the same, but this one is creamy and doesn’t have specs of coconut in it. - Fried onions
I grabbed the first container of fried onions I could find so I do not have any recommendations for this ingredient.
Even though The Green Bean Casserole celebrated it’s 60th birthday recently, I wasn’t introduced to it until I had my first Thanksgiving here in the US in the fall of 1993 (36 years after it had been around)! And I was entranced.
I could get used to this creamy, luscious green bean goodness – minus the ensuing flatulence that followed from the milk or cream-based soup used.
Since my first encounter with that green bean casserole, I’ve come to enjoy it in so many different ways over the past holidays.
Sometimes, with the traditional 6 ingredients, it was originally made with. And, other times, with a spin, like a cheesy topping, or as a sauté sans creaminess with a sprinkling of caramelized onions.
Today, the version I have here isn’t made with condensed soup – it is so creamy – and it is packed with flavor! It is a light sauté of beans, onions, ginger, garlic, and spices. This is then topped with a generous amount of fried onions and baked. This Easy green bean casserole is so flavorful and it will tickle and tease your taste buds.
Are you looking for more semi-healthy side dishes and snacks for this Holiday season? Then, make sure to check out this post with 31 delicious sides and snacks perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil I used grapeseed
- 1 red onion
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1.5 inch chunk of ginger
- 15 oz bag frozen green beans
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 11.1 fl oz Full fat Coconut milk 1 1/3 cup approximately
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup fried onions
- OPTIONAL – parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Peel and dice the red onion, garlic cloves, and ginger.
- Add oil to a heavy bottom pan and then add in the diced onion, ginger, and garlic. Sauté about 5 minutes, stirring often, so the threesome does not burn.
- Add in the frozen beans (they do not need to be thawed).
- Add in the coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon and stir well.
- Then add in the coconut milk and stir well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir well.
- Turn the stove off. Carefully transfer this green bean mixture to an oven-safe dish.
- Sprinkle the fried onions on top.
- Place the green bean casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees.
- Remove from the oven. Sprinkle with some chopped parsley (though this is totally optional).
- Enjoy!
Very original and delicious with that crusty onion topping!
This sounds really good!! I didn’t used to like green beans when I was a kid but now I do so I’m loving recipes like this!
This looks interesting. I have never tried making a green bean casserole, must give it a go!
This looks delicious! Love the twist that you added to this green bean casserole. Great umami flavour from the soy sauce and the crunchy onion topping looks amazing.
What a unique twist on a classic recipe. I really like the idea of bake/frying onions like you have here.
Kikkoman is making panko bread crumbs now? Awesome! I’ll have to keep an eye out next time I’m at Walmart! I love the idea of topping green beans with panko-crusted onions. In fact, those panko onions sound like they might be a snack in and of themselves…like a baked onion ring? Mmmm…onion rings. ๐ This sounds like my kind of holiday meal, and I’d gladly keep from spilling the beans if it means an extra helping of this one. Looks delicious, Shashi!!
This looks like the perfect side dish for all the holiday dinners. My family loves green beans, so I know this will be a winner for sure.
I was never a fan of the heavy/creamy green bean casserole. But now this recipe I could totally go for! It looks and sounds amazing! And I love it’s a lighter version of a holiday classic! #client
YES!!! That was an awesome segue my friend. And I would have expected no less!!! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. This fresh green bean casserole looks delicious. I’m not a fan of condensed soup in green bean casserole, so loved hearing the “kick” that Kikkoman’s gives with the soy sauce and also the panko bread crumbs. Sounds absolutely delicious and perfect alongside the bird. Hope all is well and thank you for another scrumptious recipe. XOXO
This is the coolest looking and I’m sure super delicious green bean casserole! Love it! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving! Trying this recipe next ๐