Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Published 11/14/2021 • Updated 11/28/2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This from-scratch vegan green bean casserole is delightfully creamy and savory. It’s made with fresh green beans, mushrooms, a vegan roux, and fried onions for a plant-based alternative to classic green bean casserole.
Our healthy green bean casserole is a reader favorite Thanksgiving side dish, so we thought it would be fun to put a vegan twist on this classic recipe. Today’s recipe for vegan green bean casserole is made with fresh green beans and the most scrumptious homemade mushroom gravy you’ve ever tried. It’s completely dairy free and we share tips to make it gluten free, too!
This wholesome casserole comes together with a base of fresh green beans (no pre-cooking required!) that are mixed with a roux-based mushroom gravy and baked to perfection in the oven. Top it off with fried onions for the ultimate vegan side dish.
And, if you’re thinking… a vegan green bean casserole made without butter and milk? Trust us! This vegan green bean casserole tastes just like the traditional version made with simple swaps for a totally plant-based alternative.
Featured Comment
“I made this for Thanksgiving last year and it was a crowd pleaser! Only after it was gobbled by my family did I reveal it was vegan. No one could tell! 5/5 stars.” – Ellen
What You Need for Vegan Green Bean Casserole
There are 2 parts to this from-scratch green bean casserole. Here’s what you’ll need for each:
For the Casserole
- Fresh green beans
- Mushrooms
- Onion + garlic
- Fried onions
- Olive oil
For the Roux
- Flour
- Almond milk
- Olive oil
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt + pepper
- Garlic powder + thyme
- Vegetable broth
Vegan Green Bean Casserole Variations
Customize this naturally vegan green bean casserole with any of these swaps and substitutions:
Almond Milk: Use any kind of plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk in this casserole.
Fried Onions: We kept it simple and used store-bought fried onions. You could also make your own fried onions by following the instructions in our healthy green bean casserole recipe (these are vegetarian but not vegan). Or, swap the onions for toasted breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs!
Gluten Free: Swap the white whole wheat flour for an all-purpose GF flour blend and make sure to use GF Worcestershire sauce (some sauces can be sneaky with ingredients).
Example Title Text
This popular Thanksgiving side dish is savory and saucy with a hint of mushrooms and garlic. It tastes very similar to classic green bean casserole, but without dairy.
Nope! You’ll notice that there is no need to boil and/or drain your green beans. All of the cooking happens in the oven!
If your green bean casserole is too soupy, the sauce likely didn’t thicken properly. Make sure the roux is really thick before removing from the heat.
More of our Favorite…
Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
Looking for more healthy Thanksgiving recipes to fill your holiday table with? Check out all of our best turkey day recipes in one spot!
Storage
Store leftover vegan green bean casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
We don’t recommend freezing this casserole to enjoy later. The mushroom gravy turns gravy when thawed and reheated.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat this casserole, microwave individual portions OR transfer the casserole to a frying pan and reheat on low/medium heat until warmed through, about 10 minutes.
Make Ahead Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Free up valuable stovetop space around the holidays and make this vegan green bean casserole ahead of time! Prepare the casserole through step 7. Let cool, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, continue with the recipe as written (you may need to add a few minutes to the bake time).
Serving Suggestions
Serve this green bean casserole alongside all of your favorite holiday recipes for a vegan option that everyone loves! This plant-based casserole is delicious with other classics like cornbread stuffing or butternut squash quinoa stuffing, sweet potatoes au gratin, bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts, and twice baked potatoes.
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1.5 lbs. fresh green beans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz. bella mushrooms, chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 medium white onion, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1.5 cups fried onions, store-bought (like French's) or homemade, divided
For the Roux
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Generously spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking. Set aside while you prepare the green beans.
- Wash the green beans and pat them dry. Use a kitchen scissors (or sharp knife) to snip the ends off. Place the trimmed green beans into the prepared casserole dish. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium/high heat. Add the mushrooms and salt and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and continue to sauté for another 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- Make the roux. Heating the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium/high heat. When the oil is fragrant, add the flour and whisk until a crumble or paste forms. While continuing to whisk, slowly pour in the almond milk. Whisk over medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
- When thick, remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, fresh thyme, and vegetable broth.
- Add the mushroom mixture into the roux and mix to combine to create a sauce.
- Pour the sauce on top of the green bean in the casserole dish and mix to combine.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes, stirring the beans every 15 minutes. Bake until the green beans are cooked.
- Once the green beans are fully cooked, mix in 1/2 cup of fried onions. Then, top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of fried onions and serve.
Tips & Notes
- Storage: Store leftover vegan green bean casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating Instructions: To reheat this casserole, microwave individual portions OR transfer the casserole to a frying pan and reheat on low/medium heat until warmed through, about 10 minutes.
- Make Ahead Instructions: Prepare the casserole through step 7. Let cool, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, continue with the recipe as written (you may need to add a few minutes to the bake time).
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds, we’d love to see what you’re up to!
I made this for Thanksgiving last year and it was a crowd pleaser! Only after it was gobbled by my family did I reveal it was vegan. No one could tell! 5/5 stars. Also, how amazing is that Yield adjustment feature?? Thanks for taking the math out of my recipes 🙂