A holiday favorite has never tasted better than our gluten-free green bean casserole with homemade fried onions. This simple recipe tastes like the traditional one you remember and love at every Thanksgiving. You never have to skip out on the tender green beans, cream of chicken soup, and crispy onion topping again.

Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole with Homemade Fried Onions overhead shot

This classic side dish is elevated with a homemade onions and can even be made dairy free. It is also pretty simple to make with regular grocery store items and goes perfectly on the any holiday table.

What Makes this Casserole so Great?

Green bean casserole has always been one of my all-time favorite recipes to make for a holiday meal, especially when it comes to Thanksgiving food. It is as classic as our gluten-free turkey and gluten-free crescent rolls and every bit as delicious too!

I personally love that with this recipe, you don't have to forfeit those crunchy, crispy fried onions just because you are avoiding gluten. I recommend making a big batch and saving some homemade crispy onions (we also make extra crispy gluten free onion rings) to use for topping your gluten-free burger. Your taste buds will thank you!

And be sure to end your meal with our buttery, flaky gluten free apple pie, gluten free pecan pie or grandma's gluten free pumpkin pie.

What Do I Serve with A Casserole Like this?

My creamy, gluten-free mashed potatoes and gluten-free gravy are always a hit when served up with this green bean casserole recipe. And definitely don't miss out on apple sausage gluten-free stuffing!

This sugar-free pecan pie from All Day I Dream About Food and these simple roasted parsnips from Healthy Seasonal Recipes both look like something worth trying too!

Homemade gluten-free cinnamon rolls may not be a traditional gluten-free Thanksgiving recipe but they are fantastic on Christmas morning. For dinner, these green beans are also great with roasted pork loin.

gluten free green bean casserole on a little blue plate

Gluten-Free Cream of Chicken Soup

Most cream of chicken soups are not gluten-free. If you want to buy one from the store, Pacific gluten-free cream of chicken soup is probably the best option.

I always recommend making a batch of homemade gluten-free cream of chicken soup because it tastes sooo much better. Especially in this recipe and my gluten-free tater tot casserole.

I have even made make this soup dairy free with full fat coconut milk cooked over medium heat and it was delicious!

Another question people often ask is, can you substitute cream of chicken for cream of mushroom?

How to Make Gluten-Free Fried Onions

To make the fried onions, begin by slicing onions into thin rings, place them in a small bowl and cover with milk to soak for 5 minutes
Combine flours, Real salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper in a large bowl
Meanwhile, heat oil in a deep fryer
Remove a few onion slices from the milk and shake off excess liquid

Step by step instructions for making homemade gluten-free fried onions

Toss the onions into the gluten-free flour mixture until covered completely
Shake off excess flour, then place in the basket of your deep fryer. If you don't have a deep fryer, a large skillet with avocado oil on medium-high heat will do.
Fry in oil for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and place on a paper-towel-lined plate
Continue until all onions are cooked and place them on the plate lined with paper towels

How to Make the Casserole

Green bean casserole can easily be made ahead of time. But what about other dishes for turkey day? We answer, "How early can you make Thanksgiving sides?"

For the casserole, preheat oven to 350 degrees
Make the gluten-free fried onions following the instructions above or below
In an 8x8 baking dish pan, combine green beans, gluten-free cream of mushroom soup, gluten-free soy sauce, Real salt, pepper
Add ⅔ c. gluten-free fried onions in a casserole dish

Step by step instructions for making gluten-free green bean casserole

Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees
Sprinkle remaining fried onions over the green bean mixture and bake 5 more minutes

Tips for making your green bean casserole the BEST...

Here is what I recommend for how early can you make Thanksgiving sides. You can also use my Thanksgiving non perishable foods list to help you with shelf-stable cooking.

Don't use purple onions when making fried onions as they turn out a bit dark and unpleasant looking. Stick with white or yellow onions.
Prepare the homemade fried onions up to three days in advance to save yourself time on Thanksgiving. Be sure to let them fully cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
Use Pacific brand cream of mushroom or chicken soup as it is gluten-free and not too thin in consistency. Or make it yourself, of course.
Be sure to season both the fried onions batter and the casserole itself with a bit of cracked black pepper. It adds a great depth of flavor!

Fresh or Canned Green Beans?

You may wonder why I use canned green beans instead of fresh. The truth is that I love a classic green bean casserole and the fresh just don't give it that same flavor that grandma's did.

What can I say, I am a very nostalgic person. If you like fresh green beans, most certainly feel free to use them.

No matter which you choose, one thing is certain: Everyone will love this dish! I dare you not to eat all those homemade fried onions before you get them into the casserole.

Here are some other great recipes: 40+ Thanksgiving foods that start with "S"

Be sure to check out our full, gluten-free Thanksgiving menu as well!

*Originally published October 30, 2017. This has been updated October 2019 with more photos, step by step instructions and detailed information on making homemade fried onions.

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