Welcome to your new favorite holiday side dish – the Keto Green Bean Casserole! This rich, creamy, and undeniably delicious recipe is crafted entirely from scratch, promising all the comforting flavors of the beloved classic without derailing your low-carb lifestyle. As the festive season approaches, finding dishes that satisfy both your palate and your dietary goals can be a challenge. But fear not, this low-carb green bean casserole is here to be the star of your holiday table, loved by everyone, keto or not!
The Ultimate Keto Green Bean Casserole for Your Holiday Table
For many years, the thought of making a green bean casserole from scratch, let alone a low-carb version, seemed like a monumental task. Like countless others, my go-to recipe involved the convenience of canned mushroom soup, canned green beans, and a generous sprinkling of store-bought French fried onions. While undeniably easy and comforting in its own way, this traditional approach is far from compatible with a ketogenic or low-carb diet due to its high carb and processed ingredient content.
The desire to enjoy those cherished holiday flavors without compromising my dietary choices spurred me to create this keto-friendly alternative. And what a journey it has been! This recipe proves that you don’t need to sacrifice taste or tradition when eating low-carb. It delivers the same depth of flavor, luxurious creaminess, and satisfying crunch that makes green bean casserole a perennial favorite, all while keeping your macros in check.
The beauty of this low-carb rendition lies in its wholesome, fresh ingredients and the incredible flavor profile they create. It’s a dish that genuinely delights everyone at the table – even those who aren’t strictly following a keto diet will find themselves reaching for a second helping. If you’re hosting a larger gathering, I highly recommend doubling the portion to ensure there’s enough for everyone to savor.
Unveiling the Keto-Friendly Ingredients
What makes this green bean casserole truly exceptional and perfectly aligned with a keto lifestyle? It all comes down to a carefully selected blend of fresh, flavorful ingredients that provide richness, texture, and unparalleled taste:
- Fresh Green Beans: The foundation of our casserole. Using fresh green beans ensures a superior texture and flavor compared to their canned counterparts, which often come with added sodium and a softer consistency.
- Savory Mushrooms: Earthy sliced mushrooms add depth and umami to the dish, perfectly complementing the green beans and creamy sauce.
- Creamy Sauce Base: The heart of this keto casserole is its decadent sauce. A luscious blend of heavy cream, unsweetened almond milk, and cream cheese creates an incredibly rich and velvety texture that binds all the flavors together, providing healthy fats crucial for a keto diet.
- Crispy Topping: Forget the carb-heavy fried onions! Our irresistible crunchy topping is made from a combination of crispy bacon and crushed pork rinds. This innovative duo delivers a salty, savory crunch that’s truly addictive and completely keto-compliant.
- Aromatic Onions: Diced onions are sautéed to a golden perfection, infusing the casserole with a sweet and savory base flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Seasoning: Simple salt and pepper are used to enhance the natural flavors of the fresh ingredients, allowing them to shine.
More Keto Recipes You’ll Love for the Holidays and Beyond:
If you’re eager to expand your repertoire of low-carb delights, especially for festive occasions, consider these other fantastic keto recipes:
- Low Carb Crustless Pumpkin Pie
- Keto Asparagus Almondine
- Creamy Keto Pumpkin Soup
Green Beans and the Ketogenic Diet: A Clear Picture
A common question arises for those on a keto diet: are green beans truly keto-friendly? The answer is a resounding yes! While green beans are botanically classified as legumes, they stand apart from their higher-carb relatives like peas and black beans. Green beans are significantly lower in net carbohydrates, making them an excellent choice for a low-carb lifestyle when consumed in moderation.
To put it into perspective, a single cup of green beans contains approximately 10 grams of total carbohydrates, with a remarkable 4 grams of that being dietary fiber. This means a serving of green beans offers only 6 grams of net carbs, which can easily fit into most ketogenic daily carb limits. They also provide a good source of vitamins K, C, and A, as well as manganese and folate, offering valuable nutrients to your diet.
For those adhering to a stricter keto regimen, I always recommend diligently tracking your macronutrients – especially carbs and fats. This recipe, with its generous use of heavy cream, cream cheese, and pork rinds, provides a substantial amount of healthy fats, which are essential for maintaining ketosis and satiety. These are not just any fats; they are part of a balanced approach to fueling your body effectively.
Storing Your Low-Carb Green Bean Skillet Side Dish
While this keto green bean casserole is absolutely divine when enjoyed fresh and hot right out of the oven, it can certainly be prepared ahead or stored as leftovers. For optimal flavor and texture, serving it immediately is always best. However, if you find yourself with a delicious surplus, storing it properly is key.
Any leftovers should be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated. When you go to reheat the casserole, please be aware that the crunchy pork rind topping will likely soften as it absorbs some of the creamy sauce. This is perfectly normal and won’t detract from the overall taste, but the crispness will diminish. If you prioritize the crunch, you could consider adding a fresh layer of crispy bacon and pork rinds just before reheating or serving the leftovers.
It is generally not recommended to freeze this casserole. The creamy sauce, made with dairy products, can sometimes separate or change texture upon thawing, and the green beans may become mushy. Furthermore, the pork rind topping will lose all its crunch and become soggy if frozen and reheated. Given how quick and easy this recipe is to prepare, making it fresh is often the best approach. If time is a concern, you can certainly fry the bacon ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, ready to be chopped and combined with the pork rinds when you’re ready to bake. This small step can significantly reduce your prep time on a busy day, allowing you to enjoy a fresh, homemade casserole with minimal fuss.
Crafting the Perfect Keto Green Bean Casserole: Step-by-Step Guide
Making this keto green bean casserole is a straightforward process, and the full detailed recipe card is provided below. But first, let’s walk through some helpful tips and visual cues to ensure your casserole turns out perfectly every time. This recipe emphasizes fresh ingredients and simple techniques to deliver a truly remarkable side dish.
What You’ll Need for This Keto Delight
Gathering your ingredients before you begin is always a good practice. Here’s a detailed look at the fresh, low-carb components that make this casserole shine:
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini or white button work great)
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2/3 cup half & half cream (or heavy cream for an even richer, lower-carb option)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground is best
- 1/3 cup crushed pork rinds
- 1/3 cup cooked bacon, chopped (from about 6-8 slices)
Detailed Step-by-Step Preparation
Follow these instructions to create your heavenly keto green bean casserole with cream cheese – it’s simpler than you think!
- Prepare the Topping: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, add your crushed pork rinds. Now, fry the bacon in a skillet until it’s wonderfully crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess fat. Crucially, reserve 2-3 tablespoons of the rendered bacon grease in the skillet – this will infuse incredible flavor into our vegetables. Once cooled slightly, chop the crispy bacon into small pieces.
- Combine Topping Ingredients: Add the chopped bacon into the bowl with the crushed pork rinds. Stir them together gently until well combined. Set this flavorful mixture aside for later.
- Blanch the Green Beans: Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fresh green beans and cook for approximately 5-8 minutes. The goal here is to soften them slightly while ensuring they retain a pleasant, crisp-tender bite. You don’t want them mushy! Drain the green beans thoroughly and pat them dry to remove any excess moisture.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Return the pan with the reserved bacon grease to medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and diced onions to the pan. Sauté them until they are beautifully browned and tender, releasing their sweet and savory aromas. This step builds a critical flavor layer for the casserole.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In a separate, clean pot (or the same one if you prefer, after wiping it clean), combine the softened cream cheese, half & half cream, and unsweetened almond milk. Whisk these ingredients together over medium heat until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a smooth mixture. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Casserole: Add the blanched green beans to the creamy sauce mixture. Stir gently to ensure the green beans are evenly coated. Transfer this mixture into a large, oven-safe pan or cast-iron skillet.
- Bake to Perfection: Sprinkle the reserved bacon and pork rind topping evenly over the green bean mixture in the pan. Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the casserole is bubbling invitingly.
- Serve and Enjoy: As it bakes, you’ll notice the divine aroma filling your kitchen – a sure sign of the deliciousness to come! Once baked to perfection, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Prepping the irresistible crispy topping: a mix of golden-brown bacon and crunchy pork rinds.
The rich and creamy sauce simmering in a skillet, ready to embrace the fresh green beans.
The casserole assembled, topped with bacon and pork rinds, awaiting its golden transformation in the oven.
The finished masterpiece: golden, bubbly, and incredibly aromatic.
Ready to be served: a generous scoop of the creamy, flavorful Keto Green Bean Casserole.
Tips for Success & Variations
- For Extra Flavor: Consider adding a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder to your sauce for an extra layer of savory depth. A dash of Worcestershire sauce (check for sugar-free versions) can also add umami.
- Mushroom Varieties: Feel free to experiment with different types of mushrooms like shiitake or oyster mushrooms for varied textures and flavors.
- Dairy-Free Option: If you need a dairy-free version, you can substitute the half & half and cream cheese with full-fat coconut cream and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative. Ensure your almond milk is unsweetened.
- Herb Infusion: Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can be added to the sauce during simmering for an aromatic boost. Sprinkle fresh parsley or chives over the finished casserole for a pop of color and freshness.
- Broth Boost: For a deeper, richer sauce, a splash of bone broth or chicken broth can be added alongside the creams.
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Keto Green Bean Casserole
Keto green bean casserole – a delicious made from scratch side dish that’s perfect for the upcoming holidays!
Side Dish
American
Keto green bean casserole
Ingredients
-
1
pound
green beans -
2
cups
mushrooms
sliced -
1
cup
onion
diced -
2/3
half & half cream -
1/2
cup
almond milk -
1/4
cup
cream cheese -
1
tsp
salt -
1
tsp
pepper -
1/3
cup
crushed pork rinds -
1/3
cup
cooked bacon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
In a bowl, add crushed pork rinds.
Fry bacon until crisp and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. **Reserve 2-3 tbsp of bacon grease in the pan.
Chop bacon into small pieces.
Add chopped bacon into the bowl along with pork rinds and stir. Set aside.
Next, add green beans to a pot of boiling salted water. Cook for about 5-8 minutes until crisp-tender.
Drain the green beans and pat dry.
Add the reserved bacon grease to a pan and cook mushrooms and onions until brown and tender.
In the same pot (or a clean one), add in cream cheese, half & half, and almond milk.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 5-8 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Now add the cooked green beans into the sauce mixture.
Stir to combine and transfer to a large oven-safe pan or skillet.
Sprinkle with the bacon and pork rind topping and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and bubbling!
More Delicious Holiday Keto Recipes to Explore
As you plan your holiday menus, don’t let your keto journey feel restrictive. There are so many incredible low-carb recipes that perfectly capture the festive spirit. Here are a few more family favorites to inspire your next holiday feast:
- Keto Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies
- Lemon Garlic Butter Turkey Breast
- Easy Skillet Keto Cornbread