This homemade Green Bean Casserole will be the star at your Thanksgiving table because it has no canned soup or MSG!
All-natural and much healthier than the original Campbell's™ soup recipe. It's ready in 35-minutes!
Serve this with your turkey dinner, candied sweet potatoes, homemade Cornbread dressing and cranberry sauce!
The traditional Green Bean Casserole calls for Campbell's™ Cream of Mushroom soup which contains MSG (monosodium glutamate), as well as other GMO (genetically modified organisms) ingredients.
Back in 1934, when the Campbell's™ Soup Company introduced this condensed cream soup, it probably didn't contain GMO ingredients but may have contained monosodium glutamate because MSG was around even back then. It was invented in Japan in 1908.
Our grandmother's had no clue about MSG. They just knew these new "condensed soups" made casseroles quicker and creamier.
Now that we all know better, here's a way to get that traditional Green Bean Casserole flavor and texture without additives, preservatives or fillers and without sacrificing flavor.
What is MSG?
MSG, or monosodium glutamate is a common additive that manufacturers use to enhance the flavor of their food.
Some foods inherently contain naturally occuring MSG like aged cheeses, tomatoes and soy proteins; however, MSG, when used as an additive can be problematic for some folks.
It can cause flushing, facial swelling and/or numbness, sweating, nausea and more. And even though you may not be allergic to MSG, you might have an intolerance to it and have some of these symptoms.
You'll frequently find MSG in Asian or Chinese restaurant-prepared foods. It gives these dishes a deep, savory "umami" flavor.
Most processed foods contain monosodium glutamate and the label may list this additive as a number:
HS code 29224220 and the E number E621 or CAS Number: 142-47-2; or EC Number: 205-538-1
If a product label has any of these codes listed on its packaging, it contains added MSG.
Why you'll love this recipe!
Tastes great - the flavors really shine when you're dealing with all-natural ingredients
Healthy - no canned condensed soups, no MSG, no additives, preservatives or colorants
Easy to make - make ahead and reheat; ready in 35-minutes
The "traditional" green bean casserole uses soy sauce, which contains MSG. This recipe uses organic Tamari sauce as a substitute for soy sauce. Organic Tamari sauce does not contain MSG.
Here's what you'll need
This green bean casserole recipe uses pre-washed packaged green beans you find in the produce section. If you prefer, you can use frozen cut green beans or canned.
If using canned, drain and rinse first.
The "homemade cream of mushroom soup" consists of: Chicken broth or stock, butter, flour, heavy cream, milk, garlic powder, onion, mushrooms, Tamari sauce, salt & pepper and fried onions.
The most popular brand is French's™ Fried Onions, but you can use any brand you prefer in your green bean casserole.
Here's how to make it
First things first, rinse, trim and cut fresh or frozen (thawed) in 1" inch pieces. Cook green beans in salted water for 4-5 minutes or until tender; drain and set aside.
If you use canned green beans, drain them first.
Make the homemade cream of mushroom soup
This recipe yields 4 cups of cream of mushroom soup, which is plenty for 8 cups of green beans.
Once the green beans and condensed soup are done, combine Fried Onions rings, cooked green beans and condensed soup in large bowl; combine well and add salt and pepper to taste
Place in baking pan (ungreased) and bake uncovered at 350ºF for 25 minutes
Remove, top with remaining French Fried Onions rings, bake about 8-10 more minutes then serve
Tips
Use unsalted chicken broth/stock and unsalted butter. After you've combined the ingredients, you can taste and adjust seasonings accordingly
Cook fresh or frozen green beans first; this takes about 4-minutes or till tender; drain and set aside
The original recipe calls for Soy Sauce, but it inherently has MSG in it. So...the next best thing is to buy Organic, Non-GMO Tamari Sauce.
It tastes the same as Soy Sauce but doesn't have MSG. You'll find it on the Asian or International aisle in your grocer.
What size baking dish?
This recipe fills a 9 x 13 pan perfectly; however, if you don't have a 9 x 13 pan, use any 3-quart baking or aluminum pan.
Make ahead, storage and reheating
If you're pressed for precious oven space on Thanksgiving, make this in advance. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-days either cooked or uncooked.
When made in advance, don't top it with the french fried onions, yet - do that when you reheat it, otherwise they get soggy.
To reheat a cooked or uncooked casserole, add french fried onions on top and place in 350º F oven until it's bubbly and heated throughout.
Freezing is not recommended.
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners aren't the same without the proverbial Green Bean Casserole and this healthier version won't disappoint!
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If you make this recipe, please scroll down and leave a rating and comment. I love to hear from you!
📋 Recipe
Green Bean Casserole - No Canned Soup
Ingredients
Ingredients for Cooking Green Beans
- 8 cups green beans , cut; fresh or frozen (thawed); about 1½-2 lbs.
- 4 cups water
- ¼ cup salt , table salt
Condensed Cream of Mushroom Ingredients (makes 4 cups)
- 1 stick butter , unsalted
- 1 cup onion , chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms , chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ cup flour , all-purpose
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups chicken broth , low sodium
- 2 teaspoons Tamari sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt , kosher (optional)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup milk , 2% or whole
- 3 cups French Fried Onions 1½ cups goes into the casserole; the other 1½ cups is for the topping
Instructions
Prep
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil;4 cups water, ¼ cup salt
- Add rinsed and trimmed green beans; cook for 4 -5 minutes or until tender; drain and set aside8 cups green beans
Make the Condensed Soup (No MSG)
- In a large skillet melt butter on medium heat1 stick butter
- Add chopped onion and mushrooms; cook for 3-5 minutes1 cup onion, 1 cup mushrooms
- Whisk in flour and cook 1-2 minutes½ cup flour
- Add cream, broth, garlic powder, Tamari sauce, and pepper; combine well then remove from heat; taste for salt and add salt if needed¼ cup salt, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 cup heavy cream, 1½ cups chicken broth, 2 teaspoons Tamari sauce, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt
Assemble Casserole
- In a large bowl, combine green beans, condensed soup mixture and 1½ cups of French fried onions3 cups French Fried Onions
- Place in an ungreased 9 x 13 baking dish; drizzle milk over casserole¼ cup milk
- Place remaining fried onions on top3 cups French Fried Onions
- Bake uncovered at 350º F for 25 minutes or until bubbly
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Sandra Drake says
Better than same ole same!!!
Anecia says
This version tastes pretty much the same, just with no MSG, a little less sodium and no preservatives.
Camille says
This tastes amazing!!!!!
Anecia says
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!