8 Things You Should Know Before Eating Green Bean Casserole (2024)

Find out how the string bean and soup combo came to be.

8 Things You Should Know Before Eating Green Bean Casserole (1)By Hannah Doolin
8 Things You Should Know Before Eating Green Bean Casserole (2)8 Things You Should Know Before Eating Green Bean Casserole (3)

Aside from the typical turkey, families across the country supplement their Thanksgiving dinner with all sorts of different sides—some of them wacky salads and casseroles that would definitely make people in other regions raise an eyebrow. Green bean casserole, however, has managed to become mainstream since it's introduction to Americans back in the 50s. Find out how one of the stranger Thanksgiving sides made its way to the holiday table.

1. It was invented over 60 years ago.

A woman named Dorcas Reilly developed the famous casserole while working as a recipe supervisor in Camden, NJ back in 1955.

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2. It all started with soup.

Reilly was working in the home economics kitchen at the Campbell Soup Company, testing recipes for a feature in the Associated Press when she came up with the idea, which features Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup as the binding agent.

3. The casserole requires just six ingredients.

Fans love the dish in part because of how simple it is to throw together. It calls for ingredients that could be found in a typical home kitchen pantry: canned or fresh green beans, mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce and black pepper.

4. Millions of American families serve it over the holidays.

According to Today, green bean casserole can be found on dinner tables in 30 million households across the country during the holiday season.

5. The original recipe is in a museum.

Dorcas Reilly's original recipe for "Green Bean Bake," written on a recipe card, now belongs to National Inventor's Hall of Fame in Akron, OH—the same building where Thomas Edison's light bulb is on display.

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6. The topping is the best part.

Though the original recipes used to include celery salt and ham and there have been countless variations over the years, there's one ingredient that's never changed: French fried onions. Campbell's official recipe calls for the French's brand, but no matter which type is used, you can never really add too many.

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7. It seriously boosts soup sales.

Of the approximately $20 million worth of cream of mushroom soup sold in the U.S. annually, green bean casserole is said to account for 40% of sales. Guess there just isn't much that can replace the thick, creamy base that Campbell's achieves!

8. There are tons of ways to class it up.

Plenty of people think that the 50s recipe is perfect just the way it is, but there are plenty of variations to try if the original gets old. We're partial to one of our green bean recipes that uses the mushroom soup as a dipping sauce for the crispy beans.

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8 Things You Should Know Before Eating Green Bean Casserole (2024)

FAQs

How long is it safe to eat green bean casserole? ›

Refrigerate casserole in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Reheat leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through. I do not recommend freezing this dish, as the green beans and breadcrumbs will become mushy once thawed.

Why is green bean casserole so good? ›

Fans love the dish in part because of how simple it is to throw together. It calls for ingredients that could be found in a typical home kitchen pantry: canned or fresh green beans, mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce and black pepper.

How do you keep green bean casserole from getting soggy? ›

If your topping is soggy, it's probably because the casserole itself is too wet. Before you add your topping, try to thicken the casserole with flour or cornstarch so the topping sits on top and doesn't sink to the bottom.

What vitamins are in green bean casserole? ›

Green bean casserole is a good source of vitamin A, with 12% of our daily needs as well as vitamin C, with a hefty 21% of our daily needs. “So, remember, just because a dish is high in calories, does not mean it's not a nutritional option.

Can you eat green bean casserole left out overnight? ›

According to the USDA, food that has been left out of the fridge for more than two hours should be thrown away. That's because between 40° F and 140° F (what the USDA calls the "Danger Zone"), bacteria grows incredibly fast and can make you sick.

Can you overcook green bean casserole? ›

Overcooking the beans won't just drain them of their appealing color, but it will also make them too soft and mushy, resulting in a less appetizing casserole.

Why am I craving green bean casserole? ›

Food cravings can also be linked to emotional factors. Stress, anxiety, and sadness are known to trigger cravings for comfort foods. Green beans, being a wholesome vegetable, may provide a sense of comfort and satisfaction to those experiencing emotional distress.

Does green bean casserole make you gassy? ›

However, too much fiber can cause bloating and gas. "Beans are high in fiber, with half a cup providing between 4 and 8 grams," says Kunik. "Since your body can't digest fiber, it can sit in the digestive tract while the bacteria digest it, producing gas as a byproduct.

Why do Americans eat green bean casserole? ›

How It Became a Holiday Staple. Green bean casserole was considered a perfect dish for holiday entertaining because it was simple, inexpensive, and could easily be made ahead of time. It became known as a "jiffy casserole" because it went from one bowl to one pan.

Which is better in green bean casserole canned or frozen? ›

this is a great classic Thanksgiving side dish! Are frozen or canned green beans better for green bean casserole? This green bean recipe uses the fresh kind, but frozen are your next best bet. Canned green beans are too mushy and will fall apart, so don't use those if at all possible.

How long does homemade green bean casserole last in the fridge? ›

Refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheating: Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour before you'd like to finish them in the oven. Remove the foil & plastic wrap. Stir ½ cup of the French fried onions into the green bean mixture, then tightly recover the baking dish with foil.

Why are my green beans not crispy? ›

Once you've prepared the green beans, the cooking process is similar to boiling a pot of pasta, with a total time of just 10 minutes. Like noodles, green beans that have been boiled for too long will go limp and mushy. A cook time of 5–7 minutes yields perfectly crisp-tender green beans—al dente, if you will.

Is green bean casserole good for GERD? ›

Green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving essential and should have its place on the table. However, typical green bean casserole recipes may cause acid reflux (heartburn), abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting for individuals with GERD.

Can you eat green beans every day? ›

It turns out that regularly enjoying green beans is, in fact, great for your health. Packed with vitamins K and C, folate, fiber, minerals and potent plant compounds, green beans offer several essential nutrients in each serving.

Can you eat cooked green beans after 5 days? ›

Your cooked beans last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. To store them, let the beans cool down after cooking, then pop them in the refrigerator within an hour. Getting them stored quickly and chilled in the fridge will help prevent the growth of bacteria.

How many days can you eat leftover casserole? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

How long will vegetable casserole keep in the fridge? ›

Leftover cooked food may be stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. During this time, you can reheat the leftovers to 165 °F. Be sure to return any unused portion to the refrigerator within two hours to remain safe.

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