Skip The Oven: Make Green Bean Casserole With This Kitchen Appliance

Packed with tender beans and a creamy sauce, green bean casserole is one of the most popular Thanksgiving sides, with many making this comforting dish at least one other time throughout the year, such as at Christmas or Easter. Even though green bean casserole is a low-hassle dish, it's traditionally cooked in the oven, taking up crucial space. If you find your oven looking a little crowded when whipping up a meal, consider saving space by making green bean casserole in your slow cooker.

Using a slow cooker also means you don't have to worry about checking on the casserole when you have other tasks to handle. Luckily, you don't really need to change your recipe when making a slow cooker green bean casserole. As with many holiday recipes, almost everyone has their own version; however, green bean casserole generally comprises green beans, cream of mushroom or chicken, and a crispy onion topping. For the beans, we recommend using fresh or defrosted and drained frozen green beans, as canned green beans can become soggy in the slow cooker. 

To make green bean casserole in a slow cooker, put the ingredients (excluding toppings) into the appliance. Stir, then set at a low temperature for five to six hours. If the dish looks watery during cooking, stir in a bit of cornstarch slurry. While it cooks, make the crispy onions for the best topping (if using homemade instead of store-bought). Once the casserole is ready, plate it up, and sprinkle with the topping: it's as simple as that!

While the basic ingredients in green bean casserole generally remain the same, there are many delicious additions to the classic recipe you can try. Better yet, all of these recipe variations work with the slow-cooking method. Some of the most common additions to the base ingredients include a splash of milk, a touch of soy sauce for umami, and a toasted breadcrumb topping alongside or in place of crispy onions.

Although the onions are traditionally added on top, some recipes put a portion of the crispy onions into the slow cooker. This is recommended if you want a flavor boost, but these onions will lose their crispy texture. Opting for Romano beans over standard green beans is also a great option. These underrated beans are perfect for slow-cooking as they have a meaty texture which isn't compromised during a long cook.

Other tips for making the best green bean casserole include adding cheese (the likes of Parmesan or cheddar work well) or using sliced almonds in the topping for a green bean almondine-style casserole. Another of our favorite spruced-up green bean casserole recipes involves the addition of garlic and mushrooms. You could even make the soup from scratch if you're feeling ambitious, or opt for low-sodium soup if watching salt intake.