This Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole uses frozen green beans, freeing up oven space on busy holidays like Thanksgiving or Easter. This 5-ingredient, easy, hands-off holiday recipe will quickly become a favorite when you let the slow cooker do the work.
Love green beans? Also try my Cheesy Green Bean Casserole, Oven Roasted Green Beans with Garlic, and Roasted Asian Green Beans.
Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole recipe
This Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole is an easy, hands-off twist on the classic Thanksgiving side dish that's usually made in the oven. Tender green beans cook in a creamy mushroom sauce and finish with crispy fried onions for the perfect holiday casserole. Plus, it's only 5 ingredients! I mean, is it even Thanksgiving without serving this dish?
Making green bean casserole in the crock pot saves precious oven space on the big day and keeps the dish warm until it's time to serve. I love using frozen green beans because they are super easy to prepare and give the dish a freshness canned green beans can't. This dish is perfect because you don't need to free up oven space when you are also trying to make turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and rolls! If you haven't jumped on the slow cooker casserole train, you are missing out.
If you are looking for an easy Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any holiday meal, this is the simple recipe I make year after year! No stovetop, skillet, or oven needed.
If you want to make it in the oven, try my Cheesy Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Why You'll Love this Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole recipe...
- Easy to Make: Making green bean casserole in the crock pot could not be simpler. The slow cooker does most of the work.
- Perfect for Holidays: It frees up valuable oven space.
- Classic Comfort Food. Tender green beans are coated in that savory mushroom sauce you love.
- Make-ahead friendly: Make ahead and cook when it's time to eat.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn't love the green bean casserole?
- Great for Keeping Warm: You'll likely be juggling a bunch of recipes to time at once on Thanksgiving Day. This is one you can make and let the slow cooker keep warm, giving you grace and time to finish the turkey and stuffing.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need for this Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole recipe, but keep scrolling for the full amounts.
- Green Beans: Use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans. I prefer frozen for Thanksgiving because they taste fresh, but since they are already cut and prepped, that's one less thing you have to do on Thanksgiving Day. The directions below are for making them from frozen, but in the variations section I've included instructions for making them from fresh or canned. You do NOT need to thaw the green beans.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This soup gives you that classic, creamy, savory sauce with lots of mushroom flavor! I like to use the low-sodium or heart-healthy soup because canned soups can be so salty. If you don't like mushrooms, you can also make this with cream of celery soup.
- Milk: A little milk thins the sauce just enough. Use whatever type you have on hand. I normally cook with 2% milk.
- Soy Sauce: A splash of soy sauce adds that delicious umami flavor.
- French Fried Onions: This is where that classic green bean casserole taste and texture comes from.
- Salt and Black Pepper
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions for this Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole, but the full, detailed, printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
- Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. I like this one.
- In the crockpot, combine all ingredients except 1 cup of the fried onions. Mix together until well combined.
- Cover with the lid and cook on low for 3 hours, until the green beans are cooked.
- Top with the remaining onions, cover, and cook for an extra 20 minutes to create the browned onions.
- Keep the slow cooker green bean casserole in the crock pot on the Warm setting until you are ready to serve.
Tips for the Best Green Bean Casserole in the Crock Pot
- Don't add the crispy onions too early. They can become soft in the slow cooker. Save them for the end.
- Don't overcook the green beans. You want them to be tender, but not mushy.
- Use low-sodium ingredients. To keep this from being crazy salty, use low-sodium soup.
- Taste the green bean mixture before serving. You might need to add more salt depending on your soup and onions.
Variations
I love this Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Make from Canned: Use 3 cans of 14.5-ounce cut green beans. Drain the green beans. Your cooking time will be closer to 2 hours on low. This is the classic way to make the dish, but I think the texture and flavor aren't that great with canned beans.
- Make from Fresh: To make this with fresh green beans, wash them, then trim and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Cooking time should be about the same as the frozen green beans: about 3-4 hours on low.
- Add Cheese: Make it cheesy by adding shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese, similar to my Cheesy Green Bean Casserole.
- Add Bacon: For an even more indulgent dish, stir in the cooked, crumbled bacon.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers in the crock pot in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Warm it up in the microwave.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish in an airtight container for up to three months.
Make Ahead
You can make this dish ahead of time and cook it when needed. Up to three days before the meal.
Can you make green bean casserole in a Crock Pot?
Absolutely! A slow cooker is a great way to make green bean casserole, especially when preparing a big holiday meal, where you need oven space. It keeps the casserole warm while you finish the meal.
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes! This recipe calls for frozen green beans. I think they are the best choice for a holiday meal because they don't require prep work and taste better than canned. You don't need to thaw the green beans.
Can I use fresh green beans?
Yes! Fresh green beans work great in this too. They do require washing, trimming, and cutting.
Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
There is something so cozy and comforting about a green bean casserole in the crock pot. It's creamy, savory, loaded with tender green beans, and then has that irresistible crispy green onion. This is one of my 50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes you can add to your holiday meal. Here are some other ideas!
Serving Suggestions:
- Turkey
- Vegetarian Stuffing
- Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Creamy Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Stuffed Butternut Squash
- Mushroom, Cranberry, and Walnut Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Crock Pot No Boil Mac & Cheese
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Pumpkin Cornbread
- Cranberry Orange Relish
- Dinner Rolls
More Crock Pot Side Dishes:
If you make this Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- In the crock pot, combine all the ingredients except one cup of the fried onions. Mix together until well combined.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 hours until the green beans are cooked.
- Add the rest of the onion on top of the casserole, cover, and cook for an extra 20 minutes.
Notes
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers in the crock pot in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.Freezing
You can freeze this dish in an airtight container for up to three months.Make Ahead
You can make this dish ahead of time and cook it when needed. Up to three days before the meal.Nutrition
Pin for later:
Leave a Reply