Homemade Green Bean Casserole without Condensed Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best substitute for cream of mushroom soup in green bean casserole? ›

Mushrooms: Instead of mushroom soup, use fresh button mushrooms instead. Broth: I use chicken broth because it's always in my fridge, but for a vegetarian green bean casserole, use vegetable broth. Cheese: Mom always added cheese, and I didn't know until a few years ago there is no cheese in the original.

The Casserole Is Too Soupy

If you used frozen green beans, but didn't fully defrost and drain them prior to adding them to the casserole, that mistake will surely account for the excess water you're now experiencing.

If you are finding that your green bean casserole is soupy, be sure to drain the green beans really well after blanching so you aren't getting extra water in the casserole that way. Then make sure to thicken the sauce properly by letting the chicken broth and half-and-half simmer long enough to thicken.

When I make green bean casserole, I skip canned beans all together. Frozen green beans are the best green beans to use for green bean casserole.

These two products aren't identical, but they are very similar. Condensed cream of mushroom soup is a concentrated form of cream of mushroom soup. When you add a cup or two of liquid such as water, broth, or stock to condensed mushroom soup, it becomes cream of mushroom soup!

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. If you're freeing up your oven by making your casserole in a slow cooker or a pressure cooker (like an Instant Pot), don't add your topping until it hits the serving dish.

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.

Add a thickener

While your green bean casserole is on the stove, incorporate a thickener into the vegetables, such as cornstarch or flour. According to The Kitchn, you can combine cornstarch and a small amount of water or broth in a cup and stir until the lumps are gone, and it becomes a thick yet drizzly consistency.

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 much is 4 cups of green beans? ›

✿ 4 cups of green beans is about 1½ pounds fresh or 16 ounces frozen or 2 cans (15 ounces each) drained.

4 cups of green beans is equal to about 1 1/2 pounds fresh, 16 ounces frozen or two 15oz. cans.

In order to properly reduce the sodium from canned beans, it is important to rinse them correctly. "Draining and rinsing canned beans can reduce their sodium content by more than 40 percent. But taking just a few extra minutes is key to getting the most benefit," The Bean Institute website states.

There are lots of great recipes that'll work with this substitute for cream of mushroom soup, and I've listed some below. A few of these use cream of chicken soup, which is pretty interchangeable with the mushroom soup.

The main difference is that cream of chicken is made of chicken stock, cream, and chicken meat, and cream of mushroom is a mix of mushrooms, cream, and garlic. This seems like an obvious answer, but it is the truth. They have very similar ingredients, with different main ingredients.

What are some herbs and spices that can be used to enhance canned cream of mushroom soup? There are several herbs and spices that can enhance the flavor of canned cream of mushroom soup. Popular options include thyme, rosemary, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika.