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    Keto Green Bean Casserole Recipe: The Perfect Thanksgiving Side Dish

    Posted: Jun 11, 2024 · Last updated: Jun 11, 2024 · by Shai Cohen · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    When I first embarked on a ketogenic lifestyle, I feared I would have to say goodbye to my beloved green bean casserole. It was a staple at every family gathering, and the thought of a holiday table without it was almost sacrilegious. But necessity is the mother of invention, and thus, my keto green bean casserole recipe was born. It's a dish that has since become a favorite among my keto-adhering friends and a testament to the fact that with a little creativity, you can enjoy all your favorite dishes, just with a low-carb twist.

    The first time I attempted this dish, I underestimated the power of fresh herbs, but quickly learned they transformed the flavor completely. I remember overcooking it the first time around, thinking it needed more time. It's essential to trust the process and the specified timings. While I've always loved the traditional version, I once experimented by adding a hint of chili, and it surprisingly elevated the dish to a whole new level. A dear friend, who's a chef, once suggested a small tweak to the original method, and it's been my go-to ever since.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Dietary Restrictions
    • Equipment
    • Storage and Reheating
    • Pro Tips
    • Keto Green Bean Casserole Recipe: The Perfect Thanksgiving Side Dish
    • Comments

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for a green bean casserole recipe neatly laid out on a white marble countertop with wooden utensils and cutting boards
    Ingredients are prepared and arranged neatly

    For the casserole

    • Green beans — 1 pound, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
    • Almond flour — ½ cup, for thickening
    • Cheddar cheese — 1 cup, shredded
    • Heavy cream — ½ cup
    • Chicken broth — ½ cup, preferably homemade
    • Garlic — 3 cloves, minced
    • Onion — ½ medium, finely diced
    • Butter — 2 tablespoons
    • Sea salt — 1 teaspoon
    • Black pepper — ½ teaspoon, freshly ground
    • Thyme — 1 teaspoon, fresh if possible

    For the topping

    • Almond slices — ½ cup, toasted
    • Parmesan cheese — ¼ cup, grated
    • Garlic powder — ½ teaspoon
    • Paprika — ¼ teaspoon

    Instructions

    A skillet on a marble countertop with sautéed onions and garlic, a roux, and green beans in a creamy sauce, with wooden spoons
    The making of the recipe, with sautéed onions and garlic, a roux, and green beans
    1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or olive oil.
    1. Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain well.
    1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent and fragrant. It's tempting to rush, but slow-cooking the onions until they're caramelized unlocks a depth of flavor that's truly worth the wait.
    1. Stir in the almond flour and cook for about 2 minutes to form a roux. This will thicken our sauce without the need for traditional flour, keeping it keto-friendly.
    1. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it thicken for about 5 minutes. Remember, patience is key here; a common mistake is not simmering it long enough.
    1. Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. The first time I made this, I used dried thyme, but the fresh herbs make all the difference.
    1. Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Transfer the green bean mixture to the prepared baking dish.
    1. In a small bowl, mix together the toasted almond slices, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle this topping over the green bean mixture in the baking dish.
    1. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. Watch it closely—I've learned that the difference between perfectly toasted and burnt can be a matter of minutes.
    1. Let the keto green bean casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to set slightly.

    Substitutions

    • Almond flour — I initially tried this with coconut flour but found that almond flour worked better for the roux. It provides a milder taste that doesn't overpower the other flavors.
    • Heavy cream — If you're dairy-sensitive, coconut cream is a fantastic substitute that still gives the sauce a rich, creamy texture.
    • Cheddar cheese — For those who prefer a different cheese profile, Gruyere or Swiss cheese can be used for a nuttier flavor.

    Variations

    • Spicy kick — After a couple of trial runs, I found that adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce gave the dish an unparalleled richness with a subtle heat that my guests loved.
    • Mushroom lovers — My grandmother used to have a unique twist to this classic – she'd add sautéed mushrooms, which added a subtle, earthy charm.
    A completed keto green bean casserole in a baking dish on a marble countertop, topped with golden browned almonds and cheese, with cooking utensils around it
    Keto green bean casserole, ready to serve

    Dietary Restrictions

    • Nut-free — For those with nut allergies, skip the almond flour and topping. Instead, use crushed pork rinds mixed with Parmesan for the crunch without the nuts.
    • Dairy-free — Use dairy-free cheese alternatives and coconut cream to make this recipe completely dairy-free.

    Equipment

    • 9x13 inch baking dish
    • Large pot
    • Ice bath (bowl with ice and water)
    • Colander
    • Large skillet
    • Whisk
    • Mixing bowl

    Storage and Reheating

    • Leftover keto green bean casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    • To reheat, bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.

    Pro Tips

    • Blanching — Don't skip blanching the green beans. It locks in their vibrant color and ensures they have the perfect texture after baking.
    • Almond slices — Toast the almond slices before adding them to the topping. It enhances their flavor and adds an extra layer of crunch to the casserole.
    • Resting time — Allow the casserole to rest before serving. This step is crucial for the sauce to thicken and the flavors to fully develop.
    A completed keto green bean casserole in a baking dish on a marble countertop, topped with golden browned almonds and cheese, with cooking utensils around it

    Keto Green Bean Casserole Recipe: The Perfect Thanksgiving Side Dish

    Enjoy a low-carb Thanksgiving with this keto green bean casserole recipe. Savory, cheesy, and perfect for your festive table. Check it out!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Keto
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 308 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9x13-inch baking dish
    • Large pot
    • Ice bath (bowl with ice and water)
    • Colander
    • Large skillet
    • Whisk
    • Mixing bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound Green beans trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
    • ½ cup Almond flour for thickening
    • 1 cup Cheddar cheese shredded
    • ½ cup Heavy cream
    • ½ cup Chicken broth preferably homemade
    • 3 cloves Garlic minced
    • ½ medium Onion finely diced
    • 2 tablespoons Butter
    • 1 teaspoon Sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon Black pepper freshly ground
    • 1 teaspoon Thyme fresh if possible
    • ½ cup Almond slices toasted
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Paprika

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or olive oil.
    • Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain well.
    • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent and fragrant. It's tempting to rush, but slow-cooking the onions until they're caramelized unlocks a depth of flavor that's truly worth the wait.
    • Stir in the almond flour and cook for about 2 minutes to form a roux. This will thicken our sauce without the need for traditional flour, keeping it keto-friendly.
    • Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it thicken for about 5 minutes. Remember, patience is key here; a common mistake is not simmering it long enough.
    • Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. The first time I made this, I used dried thyme, but the fresh herbs make all the difference.
    • Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Transfer the green bean mixture to the prepared baking dish.
    • In a small bowl, mix together the toasted almond slices, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle this topping over the green bean mixture in the baking dish.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. Watch it closely—I've learned that the difference between perfectly toasted and burnt can be a matter of minutes.
    • Let the keto green bean casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to set slightly.

    Notes

    • Blanching — Don't skip blanching the green beans. It locks in their vibrant color and ensures they have the perfect texture after baking.
     
    • Almond slices — Toast the almond slices before adding them to the topping. It enhances their flavor and adds an extra layer of crunch to the casserole.
     
    • Resting time — Allow the casserole to rest before serving. This step is crucial for the sauce to thicken and the flavors to fully develop.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Keto Green Bean Casserole Recipe: The Perfect Thanksgiving Side Dish
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    308
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    23
    g
    35
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    10
    g
    63
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.01
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    44
    mg
    15
    %
    Sodium
     
    697
    mg
    30
    %
    Potassium
     
    287
    mg
    8
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    16
    g
    5
    %
    Fiber
     
    4
    g
    17
    %
    Sugar
     
    6
    g
    7
    %
    Protein
     
    12
    g
    24
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1093
    IU
    22
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    11
    mg
    13
    %
    Calcium
     
    282
    mg
    28
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword Gluten-Free Casserole, Healthy Green Bean Casserole, Keto Holiday Recipes, Keto Side Dishes, Low-Carb Green Bean Casserole
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Shai Cohen

    Blending the lessons of global culinary classes with a passion for nutritious eating, Shai Cohen offers readers a blend of delectable recipes and invaluable health articles. Here, the love of food and well-being dance together.

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