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Creamy Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shallots

creamy green bean casserole - featured image
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A modern twist on the classic holiday side dish, this casserole features fresh green beans blanched to perfection and coated in a rich, homemade cream sauce, topped with crispy fried shallots for added texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 4 cups water (or vegetable broth), for blanching
  • 1 cup ice, for ice bath
  • 1 teaspoon salt, for blanching water
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt, to taste
  • 3 medium shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, for coating shallots
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, for seasoning shallots

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Trim green beans and cut into 2-inch pieces. Add beans to boiling water and cook for exactly 3 minutes until tender-crisp.
  2. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. Transfer cooked beans to the ice water and let sit for 2 minutes to stop cooking. Drain well and set aside.
  3. Heat vegetable oil in a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Toss sliced shallots with 2 tablespoons flour until lightly coated. Once oil reaches 350°F (175°C), fry shallots for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon, place on paper towels, and sprinkle with salt immediately.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is a light blonde color.
  5. Slowly pour in heavy cream and broth while whisking continuously. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Remove pan from heat. Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Taste and add salt if needed.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine drained green beans and creamy sauce. Toss to coat evenly and pour into a prepared baking dish.
  8. Sprinkle crispy fried shallots evenly over the top. Bake for 15 minutes until the sauce is bubbly.
  9. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Blanching is critical to maintain texture; do not overcook the beans. Fry shallots separately to keep them crispy. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour. For a vegan version, use vegetable broth, vegan butter, and coconut milk. Store shallots separately if making ahead to preserve crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, crispy shallots, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving recipe, creamy sauce, from scratch, comfort food

Find it online: https://milacook.com/creamy-green-bean-casserole-with-crispy-shallots/