Can You Freeze Green Bean Casserole? Here's How You Can Do This

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Healthy green bean casserole with homemade crispy onions recipe

Can you freeze cooked green bean casserole

Green beans are super healthy and you should have them as often as you can. However, if you can’t eat the whole casserole, it’s often the perfect time to put it in the freezer.

Freezing your green bean casserole will do wonders for the next time you feel like eating this dish and don’t have the time to make it.

Can You Freeze Green Bean Casserole?

Whether or not the green bean casserole works well in the freezer is something we’ve been considering. In fact, one of our readers has had the same questions as we had. Here’s the message we received:

Thanksgiving is coming up soon, and everyone is already asking me if I’m going to make green bean casserole. I like to make it, but I have so many other dishes to get ready that I don’t know if I will have time to prepare it Thanksgiving Day.

I never make green bean casserole in advance because of the crispy topping, which I think will wilt and go soggy in the freezer. The trouble is, I think that making it ahead and freezing it is the only way I can make green bean casserole this year. Can you freeze green bean casserole?

Yes, you can freeze green bean casserole, although you are correct in assuming that the crispy topping, typically made with crisp fried onions and Panko bread crumbs, will go soggy after freezing.

However, with a few modifications, the majority of the green bean casserole can be prepared ahead of time and frozen, and the finishing touches can be saved for the day the casserole will be eaten.

I recommend preparing the casserole ingredients and then freezing them before baking for best results.

How to Freeze Green Bean Casserole?

There are just a few steps to take before freezing your green bean casserole. Here’s what they are:

Prepare the ingredients for the casserole minus the crispy topping and mix well.
Pour the entire mixture into a freezer and oven-safe container.
Cover the container in aluminum foil, or place the freezer-safe casserole lid tightly over the top.
Place the casserole into the freezer until the night before you need it.
By freezing the casserole before baking it or adding the crispy topping, you can preserve the texture of the entire casserole and cut down on the amount of work needed the day you want to eat it.

How to Thaw Green Bean Casserole?

When you feel like having your green bean casserole next, you can start by removing it from the freezer.

Place it in the refrigerator overnight to allow it to thaw.
The next day, prepare the crispy topping for the green bean casserole.
Preheat the oven according to the recipe instructions.
Cover the casserole with the crispy topping, and place the casserole in the preheated oven for the amount of time specified by the recipe.

Can You Freeze Cooked Green Bean Casserole?

It is not recommended to freeze already cooked green bean casserole because it has a tendency to go soggy, losing much of its texture after the freezing process.

Should you choose to freeze already baked green bean casserole, consider removing the crispy topping first, and making new crispy topping for when you thaw the casserole. Reheat in the oven with the new crispy topping on top.

Can You Freeze Green Beans?

Of course, you can freeze green beans. You can learn more about what the best way to do this is by reading our article on freezing fresh beans.

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

If you want to make a cool new green bean casserole, we have an awesome recipe for you. here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients for green beans:

2 teaspoons avocado oil
1/2 onion, diced
8 oz. crimini mushrooms, diced
2 lbs green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup cashews, soaked in water overnight and drained
1/2 cup water
3 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon salt

Crispy onions:

2 onions, halved and sliced into thin strips
3/4 cup milk of choice
1/2 cup rice flour
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)

You can get the full instructions on how to make your own by checking out our dedicated article for the healthy green bean casserole with homemade crispy onions recipe.

Green Bean Recipes

If you’re also interested in other ways to use your green beans, you should know that we have a bunch of recipes you’ll want to try out.

Can You Freeze Green Bean Casserole? Here’s How You Can Do This