There's something to be said for holiday traditions, but did you ever wonder why we serve dishes nobody really even likes because, well, that's just what you're supposed to eat on Thanksgiving? Case in point: Green bean casserole. I know the classic side has its diehard fans, but I don't think I've ever known anyone personally who would touch the condensed soup/canned fried onions concoction any other day of the year.
So why even bother making green bean casserole at all? There are plenty of other vegetable-based side dishes that go perfectly well with turkey and stuffing and are just as simple to make.
I'll definitely be serving one of these 5 green bean casserole alternatives this Thanksgiving. The only problem is deciding which recipe to try first!
- Sauteed Sweet Potatoes and Spinach. Here's what I love about this one, which comes from Martha Stewart -- it kills two Thanksgiving side dishes with one recipe. You've got the spinach to replace the green beans AND the sweet potatoes so you can skip that yam/marshmallow thing nobody really likes either.
- The Neelys' Green Beans With Lemon and Garlic. Thank you, Food Network, for this light, zesty way to lose the canned fried/creamed ingredients but keep the green beans as part of the Thanksgiving spread.
- Roasted Garlic Creamed Spinach. Most likely to satisfy that lone classic green bean casserole fan at the table, this easy idea from Rachael Ray has enough punch to keep everybody else interested, too.
- Cheesy Peas. Jamie Oliver should have called this one easy-peasy cheesy peas, because it's virtually effortless to prepare. And even kids who categorically refuse green foods can usually be plied with peas.
- Greens and Goat Cheese Gratin. Believe it or not, I actually do know a few kids who love goat cheese (and that's fortunate, because maybe they won't notice they're eating kale and Swiss chard when they scarf this recipe from Whole Foods).
What do you think? Are you going to give any of these recipes a shot?
Image via Roy Kim/Flickr
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Comments 19
OMGosh! I LOVE green bean casserole! I haven't had it in years because I'm afraid to try to make it and screw it up. My grandmother made it for me often when I was little because I loved it so much. MMMMM! She would use crushed cheez-its instead of fried onions, though. = D
I am making green beans this year but as an appetizer, beer battered with sanctuary dressing which is like ranch dressing but without the cruelty to cows. With dinner I'm doing roasted brussel sprouts along with mashed white potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes with apples and ginger. The entrees will be veggielicious too, casseroles with butternut and pumpkin and other goodies.
I make a much better Green Bean Casserole. My nephew introduced me to it a while back, and it's a hit every time I make it (yes, I make it other times besides Thanksgiving)... it's called Grandma's Green Bean Casserole, and there isn't a can of soup in sight. It's made with chopped onions, sour cream, a little sugar, some cheddar cheese and Ritz Crackers. And Green Beans, of course. It's FAN-tastic. Try it. You'll be addicted...
For years my aunt brought her homemade green bean casserole to Thanksgiving at my parents' house. She passed away almost 2 years ago now. I offered to make the green beans this year since I have her casserole dish she always brought it in, but my mom finally 'fessed up that she doesn't even like green bean casserole and would be happy without it! So I'm bringing my Scalloped Carrots - carrots and some other things in a cheese sauce topped with bread crumbs and cooked in the oven until the bread crumbs are browned and crunchy...oh yum...
Y'know, on the whole food-we-make-for-the-holidays-but-don't-really-like note, I don't like pumpkin pie. So a couple of years ago I came across a cranberry-apple pie recipe that looked good, and made one to bring to Thanksgiving so I would have pie to eat. I figured some would have pumpkin and some would have the cranberry-apple and the world would be a happy place.
Well.
Everyone ate MY pie. I shared a piece with my husband! Afterward my older brother informed me that the family had decided my pie was now a tradition. I was flattered...even if I didn't get to eat hardly any of my pie! So I'm the pie maven in my family now as well.
I'm firmly in the green bean casserole loving crazy people camp. Campell's soup, French's fried onions and mountins of Green Giant beans. I could eat the whole thing by myself, but that's probably because I'm in love with cream of mushroom soup.
PONYCHASER!!! I came in here to share that exact recipe. lol It truly is amazing. I also make it at other times throughout the year.
JagaMama!!! Isn't it AWESOME??? Our whole family just LOVES it! My problem is, I have to make double, 'cause I keep sneakin' tastes before I put it in the oven!! Happy Thanksgiving!
We all love green bean casserole in this house! We had it two nights ago with BBQ kielbasa (we'll eat it with anything).