Southern Style Green Bean Casserole with Canned Beans

What better way to cook tasty green beans than in a casserole!  This is the best canned green beans recipe ever and your whole family will love this easy side dish at their dinner table.  Also, a green bean casserole is the perfect tasty side dish for your next holiday meal.  

What is in a green bean casserole?

This easy recipe has only a few simple ingredients that you can purchase at your local grocery store.

• green beans – canned green beans, frozen green beans or cooked fresh green beans
• cream of mushroom soup
• milk – whole milk, skim milk or almond milk 
• fried onions
• optional cheddar cheese

Can I use a can of green beans in my casserole?

Yes, in fact canned green beans are the best for a green bean casserole.  Just remember to drain the can or cans of green beans before you add them to your casserole dish.  Raw beans or fresh beans cannot be used for this recipe, but canned green beans or frozen green beans will work perfectly.  

Plus, any type of canned green beans will work.  For example, whole cut green beans, string beans, Italian green beans or french cut green beans.

What can I season southern green beans with?

• garlic powder or garlic cloves
• red pepper flakes
• brown sugar
• bacon grease from cooked bacon
• crispy bacon or bacon bits
• white onion or sauteed onion
• soy sauce
• worcestershire sauce
• parmesan cheese
• cheddar cheese
• olive oil
• cream of chicken soup
• chicken broth

How to make a green bean casserole (scroll down for printable recipe card)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
2. Open cans of green beans and drain off the liquid.
3. Pour green beans into a baking dish
4. Add the can of cream of mushroom soup, milk, half of the crispy fried onions, salt and black pepper
5. Take a spoon and mix up all the ingredients
6. Sprinkle the rest of the crispy fried onions on top of the casserole
7. Bake for approximately 40 minutes
8. Serve hot

Q&A’s

Can I cook green beans in a slow cooker or crock pot?  Add fresh raw beans and seasonings to slow cooker.  Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 4 hours until you have tender green beans.

How to season canned green beans without bacon?  Even tho bacon or bacon fat does give beans much flavor they  can be seasoned with many types of seasonings besides bacon.  A simple way to cook green beans is to only add salt, black pepper and butter.  Boil ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat until beans are tender.  

Are green beans keto?  Yes, green beans are considered keto friendly.  Only 2 net carbs per 1/2 cup of green beans.

Is green bean casserole keto friendly? Even tho green beans are keto-friendly, a green bean casserole is not considered keto because of the can of cream of mushroom soup.

Can I steamed green beans in microwave?  Yes, green beans can be steamed green beans in the microwave.  Cook on high power for 5-6 minutes until beans are tender.

How do I saute canned green beans?  To saute green beans take a small skillet and place it over medium heat.  Add a little olive oil and heat the oil until it is warm.  Once the oil is warm add some diced onion or crushed garlic and the green beans.  Sprinkle the beans with salt and black pepper and cook until the beans are warm.

How do you store fresh green beans?  Fresh green beans can either be canned by using home food preservation methods of a water bath or by using pressure canner.  Also, fresh green beans can be placed into freezer Zip-loc bags and placed into the freezer to be cooked at a later time.

Is it safe to eat raw green beans?  Green beans is one of the fresh vegetables that should not be eaten raw.  

Can I saute frozen green beans?  Yes, to saute frozen green beans take a small skillet and place it over medium heat.  Add a little olive oil and heat the oil until it is warm.  Once the oil is warm add some diced onion or crushed garlic and the green beans.  Sprinkle the beans with salt and black pepper and cook until the beans are warm.

How long do green beans last in the fridge?  Once your green beans are cooked and cooled, place them into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I can green beans in instant pot?  Instant pots are unsafe for pressure canning meats, vegetables or soups.

How long do fresh green beans last?  Store fresh green beans unwashed in the refrigerator for up to seven days.  Then, you will need to place them into an airtight container or a freezer Zip-loc bag and freeze for up to 3 months.  

How to cook frozen green beans in the oven?  Yes, you will need to thaw them out for a few minutes.  Once the green beans are thawed:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees f.
2. Place a sheet of parchment paper onto a baking sheet
3. Add the green beans to a medium size bowl
4. Add a little olive oil and seasonings
5. Place green beans onto the baking sheet 
6. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes until the beans are tender

How to tell if green beans are bad?   When green beans begin to go bad they will develop a slimy texture, start to grow mold and will have a sour smell.  If your green beans have any 1 of these signs you should throw them into the trash.

Can I cook frozen fried green beans in air fryer?   Place green beans into the air fryer and add seasonings.  Cook green beans at 350 degrees f for 3-4 minutes.

How long to bake green beans at 350?  Bake green beans at 350 degrees f for 20-25 minutes.

What to eat with green beans?  Green beans are the perfect side dish for any main course.  For example, green beans are delicious on the side of baked chicken or fried chicken. 

Can you roast frozen green beans?  Yes, green beans are delicious cooked in the oven.

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees f.
2. Place a sheet of parchment paper onto a baking sheet
3. Add the green beans to a medium size bowl
4. Add a little olive oil and seasonings
5. Place green beans onto the baking sheet 
6. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes until the beans are tender

How to can green beans in pressure cooker?  When canning any type of food, be sure to follow guidelines of your pressure cooker:

1. Add beans to cooker
2. Pour boiling water over beans
3. Pressure for 25 minutes at 10 pounds pressure (be sure to adjust for altitude)

Can you cook canned green beans in air fryer?  Open the cans of green beans, drain the beans and add them to the air fryer.  Cook green beans at 350 degrees f for 3-4 minutes.