Easy French’s Green Bean Casserole Recipe for Crockpot

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I’m thrilled to offer my go-to Crockpot recipe for French’s green bean casserole as the holidays get near. Our family has always served this traditional Thanksgiving side dish, and I’ve discovered that preparing it in a slow cooker not only cuts down on preparation time but also improves the taste. You may recognize the well-known recipe for green bean casserole on the back of French’s fried onion cans, but this one is significantly superior.

In this post, I’ll go over the items you’ll need, how to prepare your crockpot, and the slow cooking method that gives this meal its wonderful flavor. This will also cover how to store and serve your casserole to maintain its freshness. This simple French green bean casserole for the crockpot is going to become a regular in your kitchen, whether you’re cooking for a large holiday party or you simply want to try a different take on a tried-and-true dish.

Ingredients for Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

We’ll need a few essential items to cook this delectable French’s green bean casserole dish in the crockpot. Let’s dissect them:

Green Beans

In this dish, I use green beans from a can. They’re an easy choice that doesn’t need any planning. Simply drain them, and you’re ready to go. You may use frozen or fresh green beans, if you’d like. You should thaw and drain the frozen green beans to remove excess water, while you must first clean and prune the fresh ones. We’ll need roughly 58 ounces (4 cans) of green beans for our Crockpot version.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Cream of mushroom soup provides the velvety foundation for our dish. For this dish, I use 21 ounces (2 cans). You may substitute cream of chicken or cream of celery soup if you’re not a lover of mushroom soup. Thanks to this versatility, you can adjust the taste to your liking.

French’s Crispy Fried Onions

What really sets this meal apart are these flavorful, crunchy onions. We will use three ounces, or a container, of French’s Crispy Fried Onions. They give the dish a delicious crunch and flavor. We’ll use some of them in the casserole and save the rest for topping.

Additional Seasonings

We’ll add a few more ingredients to our French green bean casserole recipe to bring out its deliciousness. What I utilize is as follows:

• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
• ½ cup of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

These ingredients enhance the dish’s richness and depth. Some recipes suggest adding onion powder or even a small amount of Worcestershire sauce for added taste.

To tie things together, we’ll also need a few other elements in addition to these primary ones:

• ¾ cup of milk
• ¼ cup of sour cream

The sour cream gives a tangy richness to the soup, while the milk helps thin it down. In place of the milk, you may add heavy cream or half-and-half to make the dish even richer.

Remember how adaptable this crockpot recipe for French’s green bean casserole is? Depending on your tastes, you may change the amounts or substitutes. For instance, if you’re a cheese lover, you might want to add some shredded cheddar in addition to the Parmesan.

The fact that you can prepare this meal the night before is a plus. Simply combine all the ingredients, place the crockpot insert cover on top, and keep chilled until cooking time. Because of this, it’s ideal for hectic holiday mornings when you want to concentrate on other recipes.

As we go along, I’ll walk you through combining all these ingredients in your crockpot to make a flavorful green bean casserole that will quickly become a Thanksgiving table staple.

Preparing the Crockpot and Ingredients

Now that we have everything prepared, it’s time to get the crockpot ready and start combining the ingredients for our French green bean casserole recipe. This method is quick and easy, which makes it ideal for busy mornings around the holidays when you have a lot of dishes to do.

Greasing the Crockpot

Start by ensuring our dish doesn’t stick to the slow cooker. I always start by using non-stick cooking spray inside my slow cooker. It’s a simple step that significantly improves both the serving experience and the cleanup afterwards. You may also use a slow cooker liner, if that’s more your style. These liners are excellent for simple cleaning, particularly after large holiday feasts like Thanksgiving when you need to wash a lot of dishes.

Mixing the Sauce

The creamy sauce that will cover our green beans is the next stage in our crockpot recipe for French’s green bean casserole. Here’s how I approach the process:

1. In the bottom of the crockpot, I add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream. This combination creates a rich, creamy base for our casserole.
2. Next, I sprinkle in the garlic powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. These seasonings add depth to the flavor and complement the green beans perfectly.
3. To give the sauce an extra boost of flavor and richness, I add freshly shredded Parmesan cheese. The cheese melts into the sauce as it cooks, creating a deliciously savory taste.
4. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, I stir all these ingredients together until they’re well combined. Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the crockpot to incorporate everything evenly.

Adding Green Beans

After finishing our sauce, it’s time to incorporate the green beans, which truly take center stage. This is when the flavors of our Crockpot French-style green bean casserole truly start to meld together.

1. I drain the canned green beans thoroughly. This step is crucial because excess liquid can make the casserole too watery.
2. After draining, I add the green beans to the crockpot, right on top of the sauce mixture we just prepared.
3. Next comes one of the best parts of this holiday side dish—the French’s fried onions. I put about half of the container directly into the crockpot. These crispy onions will soften slightly as they cook, infusing the casserole with their delicious flavor.
4. Using my wooden spoon or spatula, I gently stir everything together. The goal is to coat the green beans evenly with the creamy sauce and distribute the fried onions throughout the mixture.

Just remember to save half the French fries for later. To ensure they stay crispy, we’ll sprinkle them on top of the casserole near the end of cooking, following the traditional green bean casserole recipe on the back of the French fried onion container.

Once you’ve combined everything, transfer the green bean mixture into the crockpot and smooth it out evenly. This guarantees an equal cooking of the casserole and a perfect distribution of beans, sauce, and onions in each dish.

You are now ready to cook in your crockpot. The best thing about this crockpot recipe for French’s green bean casserole is that the slow cooker takes care of most of the labor once you’ve finished the preparation. This allows you to concentrate on other aspects of preparing your holiday feast, freeing up oven space for other Thanksgiving dishes.

The next portion will focus on slow cooking and how to get the ideal crispy topping and creamy texture that elevate this green bean casserole to a remarkable side dish for the holidays.

Slow Cooking Process

It’s time to let the slow cooker do its magic now that we’ve prepared our French’s green bean casserole recipe for the crockpot. When you have a hectic holiday morning and want to concentrate on other Thanksgiving dishes, this technique is ideal.

Setting the Crockpot

To start cooking, I cover the slow cooker with its lid. We will cook this French green bean casserole recipe on HIGH for approximately 2.5 hours. It’s critical to avoid opening the lid during this time, since doing so might let heat escape and prolong the cooking process.

Using a crockpot enhances this Christmas side dish and frees up oven space. This comes in particularly useful when cooking a large Thanksgiving dinner that calls for many dishes [2]. Additionally, the long cooking method creates a rich, creamy casserole by allowing the flavors to mingle together harmoniously.

Don’t worry if, after cooking, your casserole turns out a little runnier than you’d prefer. Just take the top off and continue cooking for another half hour. This may help the casserole thicken to the right consistency.

Those who prefer to prepare ahead can keep this green bean casserole warm for up to three hours. It’s a terrific idea to use this freedom to time your Thanksgiving feast. Just watch it closely to make sure the edges don’t burn. Stir them or turn off the crockpot if they get too hot.

Adding Crispy Onions

What really sets this French green bean casserole dish apart is the crunchy onion topping. You can incorporate the crunchy onion topping into your Crockpot version in a variety of ways:

1. Traditional Method: About 5 minutes before serving, I sprinkle the remaining French’s fried onions over the top of the casserole. This method is quick and easy, perfect for when you’re juggling multiple Thanksgiving dishes.
2. Oven-Crisped Method: If your slow cooker insert is oven-safe (be sure to check your manual), you can take the extra step to brown the onions. After removing the insert from the heating element, I sprinkle the remaining fried onions on top and bake it in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until the onions turn a lovely brown color [1]. This method gives you that classic crispy topping reminiscent of the green bean casserole recipe on the back of the French’s fried onion can.
3. Stovetop Method: For an extra crispy topping, I sometimes brown the onions separately. On the stovetop, I place them in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, stirring for about 3 minutes until they’re golden brown. Then, just before serving, I sprinkled these over the casserole.

Whichever method you choose, adding these crispy onions at the end ensures they stay crunchy, providing a delightful contrast to the creamy green beans.

Remember, this recipe for French’s green bean casserole in the crockpot is flexible. You can easily double or even triple the recipe if you’re serving a crowd. The slow cooker method makes it simple to prepare larger batches, perfect for those big Thanksgiving gatherings.

We’ve taken a beloved holiday side dish and made it even easier to prepare using the crockpot. This French green bean casserole recipe allows you to enjoy all the flavors of the traditional dish while freeing up your time and oven space for other Thanksgiving preparations. The result is a creamy, flavorful casserole with that signature crispy onion topping that your family and guests will love.

Serving and Storing

Our crockpot recipe for French’s green bean casserole is nearly ready for serving after the slow cooking process. Let’s go through the final steps to ensure your holiday side dish is perfect for your Thanksgiving table.

Resting Time

Once the cooking time is up, it’s important to let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and the sauce to thicken slightly. I usually let it sit for about 5-10 minutes with the lid off. During this time, you can prepare your serving dish or add any final touches.

If you’re not quite ready to serve, don’t worry. The fact that this crockpot can be left on warm for 3 hours is great [1]. This flexibility is perfect for timing your Thanksgiving meal. Just keep an eye on it to make sure the edges do not burn. If they start to get too hot, give it a stir or turn off the crockpot.

Garnishing Options

While the classic French’s green bean casserole recipe is delicious on its own, you might want to add some extra flair for your holiday table. Here are some garnish suggestions:

1. Extra Crispy Onions: Just before serving, sprinkle some additional French’s fried onions on top for extra crunch.
2. Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh thyme or parsley can add a pop of color and freshness.
3. Bacon Crumbles: For meat lovers, some crispy bacon bits can add a smoky flavor.
4. Toasting sliced almonds can provide a nutty crunch that complements the green beans.
5. Parmesan Cheese: A light dusting of freshly grated Parmesan can add a savory touch.

Remember, these are just suggestions. Feel free to get creative and adapt the garnishes to your family’s tastes.

Leftover Storage Tips

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers of this delicious French’s green bean casserole recipe for the crockpot, proper storage is key to maintaining its flavor and texture.

First, let the casserole cool to room temperature. This should take no more than two hours. Once cooled, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. If you have a lot left, consider dividing it into smaller portions for easier reheating later.

Store the leftover green bean casserole in the refrigerator. When properly stored, it should last for 3 to 5 days. This means you can enjoy your Thanksgiving flavors for a few more days!

When you’re prepared to reheat, you have several options:

1. Microwave: For individual portions, reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring between each, until heated through.
2. Oven: For larger portions, reheat in a 350°F oven. Cover with foil to prevent drying out, and heat until the casserole is warm throughout.
3. Stovetop: You can also reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

Whichever method you choose, you might want to add a splash of milk or broth if the casserole seems dry. And for that signature crunch, consider adding some fresh French fried onions on top after reheating.

It’s worth noting that while you can freeze this casserole, the texture of the green beans and the crispiness of the onions may change upon thawing and reheating. If you do decide to freeze, use an airtight container and consume within 2-3 months for best quality. By following these serving and storing tips, you can ensure that your French’s green bean casserole recipe for the crockpot remains a delicious part of your holiday meal, even in the days following Thanksgiving. Whether served fresh from the slow cooker or as tasty leftovers, this classic holiday side dish is sure to be a hit with your family and guests.

Conclusion:

In perspective, Report Word this recipe has evolved into much more than simply a family favorite; it’s now a staple for any get-together or easy evening side dish. I like how simple it is to put together—especially with the aid of a crockpot—and how it reminds me of the very first Christmas meals I cooked. The fact that I can prepare it in advance is the cherry on top of the outstanding mix of crunchy fried onions and creamy green beans.

This easy and dependable recipe can help you make a cozy meal that the whole family will enjoy, regardless of your level of experience in the kitchen. I thus hope that this casserole offers as much pleasure to your family as it does to mine, whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving or simply want a comforting side for your midweek supper.

Until next time,
Olivia Rose Carter

FAQs

How can I prevent my green bean casserole from becoming mushy?

To avoid a mushy green bean casserole, be careful not to overcook the green beans during the initial blanching process. Since they will continue to cook when baked with the other ingredients, slightly undercook them now.

Should I avoid using certain vegetables in a slow cooker?

Yes, you should avoid using certain vegetables like peas, asparagus, and peppers in a slow cooker because they tend to become mushy and lose their flavor over long cooking times.

Which type of green beans is best for making green bean casserole, frozen or canned?

Frozen French-cut green beans are preferable for a green bean casserole as they maintain their texture better than canned beans. Before adding fresh green beans to the casserole, roast, steam, or boil them first.

Why is green bean casserole considered an ideal dish for holiday gatherings?

Holiday meals favor green bean casserole due to its simple and cost-effective preparation, which also allows for advance preparation. Its ease of preparation from mixing to baking in one dish earned it the nickname “jiffy casserole.”