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.
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!
Here are 50 more gluten free casserole recipes for you to check out too…
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 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
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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 1/4 tsp of pepper in a large bowl
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Meanwhile, heat oil in a deep fryer
- Remove a few onion slices from the milk and shake off excess liquid
- 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 8×8 baking dish pan, combine green beans, gluten-free cream of mushroom soup, gluten-free soy sauce, Real salt, pepper
- Add 2/3 c. gluten-free fried onions in a casserole dish
- 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!
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Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole with Homemade Fried Onions
Ingredients
- 12 oz gluten-free cream of chicken soup (cream of mushroom works as well)
- 1 tsp. gluten-free soy sauce
- 4 cans of green beans
- dash of Real Salt
- 1/4 tsp. cracked black pepper
- 1 1/3 c. gluten-free fried onions
- 2 large onions
- 1 1/2 c. gluten-free all-purpose flour blend OR 1/2 c. brown rice flour, 1/2 c. tapioca starch, 1/2 C white rice flour
- 1/2 tsp. Real Salt
- 1/4 tsp. cracked black pepper
- 2 C 2% or whole milk
- Deep fryer filled with oil
Instructions
- To make the fried onions, begin by slicing onions into thin rings
- Place the onions in a bowl and cover with milk to soak for 5 minutes
- Combine flours, Real salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper in another bowl
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a deep fryer
- Remove a few onion rings from milk and shake excess liquid
- Toss in the bowl of flour mixture until covered completely
- Shake excess flour then place in the basket of your deep fryer
- Fry in oil 3-4 minutes or until golden brown
- Place on a paper towel lined plate
- Continue until all onions are cooked
- For the casserole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- In a 8×8 pan, combine green beans, gluten-free cream of mushroom soup, gluten-free soy sauce, Real salt, pepper and 2/3 c. gluten-free fried onions in a casserole dish
- Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees
- Sprinkle with remaining fried onions and bake 5 more minutes
Video
Notes
Nutrition
*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.
Natalie says
I posted recently asking if all the onions are to go on top— I figured they must, and it was very good indeed, thank you! I got two onions but found that one yellow onion yielded 4 cups of onion, much more than needed. So I just mention this in case others will also only need one onion. 🙂
Chandice says
Perfect, thanks Natalie 🙂
Natalie says
It seems like 2/3 of the onions going inside the casserole, with a third on top. Is this correct? I’m making it now and know likely no one will respond in time! But I’ve only ever had it on the top so am confused by this. Please advise if you can, thanks!
Chandice says
Yes, we love them inside and on top.
Maggie says
Green bean casserole has always been my favorite side dish. When I had to go gluten free, I got so sad realizing I couldn’t have it anymore!! So thank you for this recipe. It’s so tasty and now I’m able to eat my favorite side dish again.
Liz says
A great recipe for the holidays!
Gwynn says
The green bean casserole is such a classic recipe for the holidays and you just elevated the recipe to a new level of deliciousness!
Chandice says
Aww thanks Gwynn, I really appreciate it. 🙂
Janelle says
A lovely meal. The family enjoyed it. The instructions are easy to follow
Chandice says
Thanks Janelle, so happy to hear this!
Chef Dennis says
I love a green bean casserole and can’t wait to try your recipe
Amanda says
This green bean casserole is delicious! Those fried onions give it the perfect finishing touch, and I love that it’s gluten free — really makes it convenient for entertaining when guests may have certain allergies.
Marisa F. Stewart says
What would a holiday dinner be without a green bean casserole? I didn’t make it last year because of the flour in the onions – well, since I’ve found your recipe I can now go back to making this gluten-free version. Thank you and I’ve already pinned it.
Beth says
It’s always so great to come across a gluten-free version of an old classic like this. I think it’s going to be really popular at our house!
Debra says
Awesome tutorial on the fried onion topping….honestly that is the BEST part! My kids will be so thankful that I found this recipe. It’s always a MUST on our Thanksgiving menu and now I know all the secrets…since Auntie won’t be coming this year.
Chandice says
Haha I love this! Yes, once you do REAL fried onions…you never go back!
Candice says
I’m so glad you have this awesome version of gluten-free green bean casserole here! We are doing an outdoor friendsgiving this year and one of my best friends is gluten free.. can’t wait to make this!
Tami Zimmerman says
This recipe caught my eye with it’s homemade fried onions, so I had to try before Thanksgiving! Oh my! This recipe is absolutely delicious! This will be a huge hit! Thanks so much for sharing!
Chandice says
Awww thanks Tami, this made my day! We love it all year around as well. 🙂
Gourmet Vegetarians says
Such a good gluten-free take on the classic green bean casserole! We’ve only made green bean casserole once but it was very tasty so will have to try again soon 🙂
Chandice says
Thanks, so glad to hear it!
Abby says
This is such a good recipe. Thanks for all the tips. We will make it again at Thanksgiving!
Chandice says
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks Abby 🙂
Sydney Wynne says
I tried this casserole on thanksgiving and it was super yummy! I loved having the gluten free onion rings on top. Even those who don’t have a sensitivity to gluten loved it!
Betsy says
This looks great! I've actually NEVER had green bean casserole, so I never knew what I was missing, but I think I might give it a go this year! 🙂