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    Home » Recipes » Camping

    Published: Oct 27, 2023 · Modified: Oct 25, 2023 by Angie Zoobkoff · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

    Skillet Green Bean Casserole

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy green bean casserole in a skillet is made with creamy homemade mushroom sauce, fresh green beans, and crispy fried onions, just like the classic. It uses just one pan, can be cooked over your campfire, camp stove, grill, or on the stovetop, and can be partially prepped before heading out to camp.

    Green bean casserole in a cast iron skillet with fried onions on the side.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe is Great for Camping
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Important Steps
    • FAQs
    • Tips and Troubleshooting
    • More Camping Recipes You'll Love
    • Recipe

    Creamy green bean casserole probably isn't something you imagine making on a camping trip. It's a classic holiday side dish, but the traditional baked version often requires a lot of dishes and effort, which is something we aim to avoid on camping trips. At least, I do.

    However, I love green bean casserole, and this skillet version has everything I adore about it -- snappy green beans, a homemade creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions. Best of all, the mushroom sauce can be prepared well in advance, which means this easy oven-free Thanksgiving side dish comes together in just 15 minutes and is a great addition to your simple Thanksgiving camping dinner.

    Why This Recipe is Great for Camping

    • It's made in your cast iron skillet and can be cooked on your camp stove, grill, campfire, or stovetop.
    • It's made with a homemade cream cheese mushroom sauce (no canned soup here!) that can be made in advance, making this casserole quick to assemble and cook at camp.
    • The extra mushroom sauce can be used in a variety of ways, making it a great base for another meal on your camping trip.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Ingredients for skillet green bean casserole--green beans, mushroom sauce, and fried onions.
    • Mushroom sauce--The cream cheese mushroom sauce can be made ahead of time and stashed in your cooler before you head out on your camping trip. Use leftover sauce as a gravy for pork chops, steak, or chicken, or toss it with pasta for an easy meal.
    • Green beans--Use fresh green beans for best results. If you are using the slender French green beans, or haricots vert, they will need less cooking time.
    • Fried onions--To get the classic green bean casserole texture, use store-bought crispy fried onions. My favorite are French's fried onions, but you can use whatever is available to you. The flavor and potency of them vary from brand to brand, so do taste them first and adjust the amount you sprinkle on top of the green bean skillet, if necessary.

    Important Steps

    Creamy mushroom sauce in a cast iron skillet.
    Green beans cooking in mushroom sauce in a cast-iron skillet.
    1. Pour the mushroom sauce into a 10-to-12-inch cast iron skillet and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
    2. Stir in the green beans and cook until the beans are just tender, and the mushroom sauce has reduced to a thick coating. Top with crispy fried onions and serve directly from the skillet.

    FAQs

    Can you make this casserole ahead of time?

    Sort of. You can prepare the mushroom sauce and keep it refrigerated (or stashed in your cooler) for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months before using. Simply thaw it and proceed with the recipe.

    Can I use frozen or canned green beans?

    Fresh green beans are best, but you can use frozen for this recipe. Add them directly from frozen to the skillet with the mushroom sauce. Once cooked, the casserole will have a slightly softer texture than if made with fresh beans.

    I don't recommend using canned beans here. They will become too soft and mushy after cooking in the mushroom sauce.

    What do you serve with green bean casserole?

    This is a classic Thanksgiving side dish, so it will pair perfectly with your Dutch oven turkey breast or grilled spatchcock turkey, but with a dish this easy to prepare, there's no need to limit it to just once a year. Try it alongside grilled bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin or grilled chicken skewers, and don't forget some Dutch oven cranberry cobbler for dessert.

    Tips and Troubleshooting

    • If you prefer an extra saucy casserole, use 2 ½ cups of mushroom sauce.
    • This green bean casserole skillet makes for tender, but still slightly crunchy green beans. If you prefer a softer bean, add an extra ½ cup of mushroom sauce and simmer the beans for an extra 5 minutes, or until they are softened to your liking.
    • Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in your cooler or fridge for up to 3 days. Rewarm over low heat in a skillet, adding extra mushroom sauce, milk, or cream to loosen the sauce, if needed.
    A serving of green bean casserole removed from a skillet and on a plate next to the skillet.

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    Tried This Recipe?

    If you've tried this recipe, please leave a comment below. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more great camping and grilling recipes.

    Recipe

    Green bean casserole in a cast iron skillet with fried onions on the side.

    Skillet Green Bean Casserole

    A woman's face.Angie Zoobkoff
    This easy green bean casserole is made in a skillet with homemade mushroom sauce, fresh green beans, and crispy fried onions. You can make it over your campfire, or on your camp stove, grill, or stovetop.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 167 kcal

    Equipment

    • 10-to-12-inch cast-iron skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 to 2 ½ cups cream cheese mushroom sauce
    • 1 pound (454 g) fresh green beans trimmed and cut into 2-inch (5-cm) pieces
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • ½ cup crispy fried onions

    Instructions
     

    • Pour 2 cups of mushroom sauce into a 10-to-12-inch skillet and set it over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
    • Stir in the green beans and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender and the mushroom sauce has reduced to a thick coating, 8 to 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
    • Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the fried onions. Serve directly from the skillet.

    Notes

      • Make it saucy--If you prefer an extra saucy casserole, use 2 ½ cups of mushroom sauce.
      • For soft green beans--This green bean casserole skillet makes for tender, but still slightly crunchy green beans. If you prefer a softer bean, add an extra ½ cup of mushroom sauce and simmer the beans for an extra 5 minutes, or until they are softened to your liking.
      • Storage and reheating--Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in your cooler or fridge for up to 3 days. Rewarm over low heat in a skillet, adding extra mushroom sauce, milk, or cream to loosen the sauce, if needed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 167kcal
    Keyword camping side dishes, cast iron cooking, green bean casserole
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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