Best Friendsgiving Recipes Vegan Green Bean Casserole Ideas

Friendsgiving is all about celebrating friendship, gratitude, and of course, delicious food that everyone can enjoy together. If you’re planning a plant-based feast this year, this vegan green bean casserole is the perfect dish to bring to the table.

It’s creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor, but without any dairy or animal products. Whether you’re a longtime vegan or just looking for a tasty side to complement your Friendsgiving spread, this recipe will satisfy even the most skeptical eaters.

This casserole combines fresh green beans with a rich, homemade mushroom sauce and a crunchy, golden topping that adds the perfect texture contrast. Plus, it’s easy to prepare ahead of time, making it a stress-free addition to your holiday lineup.

Read on for everything you need to know to make the best vegan green bean casserole that will have your friends asking for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan green bean casserole is a crowd-pleaser for so many reasons. First, it uses fresh green beans rather than canned, which keeps the dish vibrant and crisp-tender.

The creamy mushroom sauce is made from scratch using wholesome ingredients like cashews and plant-based milk, avoiding the processed canned soups often found in traditional recipes.

The crispy fried onions on top add a satisfying crunch and a burst of flavor that makes this casserole truly special. It’s also customizable—you can easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Best of all, this dish is packed with nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making it a healthier choice for your holiday table.

If you’re interested in other delicious vegan dishes for your Friendsgiving, check out our Jamaican Minced Beef Recipes or this savory Julie Marie Eats Recipes collection.

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened plant-based milk (such as almond or oat milk)
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
• 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade, see Tips & Variations)

Equipment

• Large pot for blanching green beans
• Blender or food processor for cashew sauce
• Large sauté pan or skillet
• Mixing bowl
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Strainer or colander

Instructions

1. Prepare the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender. Immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the cashew cream: Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a blender with the plant-based milk. Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy. Set aside.
3. Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil or vegan butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking another 7-8 minutes until mushrooms release their juices and soften.
4. Create the sauce base: Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well to coat. Cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the cashew cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
5. Season the sauce: Add soy sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. If it becomes too thick, add a splash more plant milk to loosen it.
6. Combine with green beans: Gently fold the blanched green beans into the creamy mushroom sauce until well coated.
7. Assemble the casserole: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly and top with the crispy fried onions.
8. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and the onion topping is golden brown.
9. Serve warm: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your vegan green bean casserole as a savory and satisfying Friendsgiving side.

Tips & Variations

For best flavor and texture, use fresh green beans and make your own crispy fried onions using thinly sliced onions, flour, and oil. You can also swap cashews for soaked sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.

• Make Ahead: Prepare the casserole a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add the crispy onions just before baking to keep them crunchy.
• Mushroom Variations: Try using shiitake or portobello mushrooms for a deeper umami flavor.
• Herbs: Fresh rosemary or sage can be added for a more traditional holiday aroma.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free soy sauce to easily adapt this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This vegan green bean casserole is a perfect side dish for any festive occasion, especially Friendsgiving. Pair it with a hearty main like a lentil loaf or mushroom Wellington.

For lighter fare, complement it with a crisp salad such as the Kosher Sushi Salad Recipe.

To round out your menu, consider adding warm fresh bread like the Marzipan Challah Recipe or a comforting soup. For dessert, something sweet and light would balance the meal beautifully.

Conclusion

This vegan green bean casserole is a must-have Friendsgiving recipe that combines comfort, flavor, and wholesome ingredients into one delightful dish. It’s a wonderful way to bring everyone together, offering a plant-based option that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture.

From the creamy mushroom sauce to the crisp onion topping, every bite feels like a warm holiday hug.

Whether you’re cooking for longtime vegan friends or introducing a new twist to your traditional feast, this recipe is sure to become a favorite year after year. Don’t forget to explore other great plant-based recipes like our Magic Dough Recipe to keep your Friendsgiving feast exciting and delicious.

Happy cooking and happy Friendsgiving!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Best Friendsgiving Recipes Vegan Green Bean Casserole”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A creamy, savory vegan green bean casserole perfect for Friendsgiving. Made with fresh green beans, mushrooms, and crispy fried onions.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “6 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces”, “8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced”, “1 medium onion, finely chopped”, “3 cloves garlic, minced”, “3 tablespoons vegan butter”, “3 tablespoons all-purpose flour”, “1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk”, “1 teaspoon soy sauce”, “1/2 teaspoon dried thyme”, “1/4 teaspoon black pepper”, “1 cup crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)”, “Salt to taste”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Steam or boil green beans until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes; drain and set aside.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a large skillet, melt vegan butter over medium heat and saut\u00e9 onions and garlic until translucent.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Gradually whisk in almond milk, soy sauce, thyme, pepper, and salt; cook until sauce thickens.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Combine green beans with mushroom sauce and transfer to a baking dish.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Top with crispy fried onions and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “180 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “5 g”, “fatContent”: “8 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “20 g”}}