This keto Green Bean Casserole reigns supreme! It’s everything the other one wishes it was: rich, creamy, flavorful and made from wholesome ingredients – oh! and it’s gluten-free!
Green bean casserole. Is there any side more iconic around the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays? Developed in the Campbell’s test kitchen in the 1960’s as an easy side for the home cook, green bean casserole is a side that many people wouldn’t do with out during the holidays.
For those who are not familiar with this popular American side, the original recipe calls for canned green beans, canned condensed soup, canned french fried onions, milk and soy sauce – all thought to be staples found in most American pantries at the time.
Creative cooks have developed many variations of this famous dish and my low carb recipe for green bean casserole is one of my favorites. If you are interested in reading about the history of the green bean casserole read this great NPR article.
My keto green bean recipe is gluten-free and simply amazing. The green beans are perfectly cooked and the casserole is made from wholesome ingredients. I like to use fresh green beans, but I suppose one could use frozen green beans or canned green beans.
The longest part of preparing the dish is trimming the beans and cooking the bacon which I often do the day before.
By the way, I have to ask… you cook your bacon on a sheet pan in the oven, right? Restaurants have been cooking bacon this way for years and so have I. This method results in evenly cooked bacon and a nice bit of bacon fat for the dripping jar. And even better, it requires no babysitting and your stove stays nice and clean. (400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes)
The beauty of this Keto Green Bean Casserole Recipe is that it can be prepped 1-2 days in advance and sit in the fridge until you’re ready. And since the base is mainly a thick, creamy, cheese sauce – it’s easy to prepare.
If you do prepare it a day or two ahead make sure to heat it up for about 8 minutes on low power in the microwave before putting in the oven. Why? This supreme green bean casserole doesn’t cook in the oven but rather heats through to bubbling. I absolutely love it and my family does, too!
As seen in Women’s Health Mag: 25 Keto Thanksgiving Recipes That Will Make You Forget You’re On A Diet
Keto Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans* trimmed and cooked to your liking
- 1/3 pound bacon cooked and chopped
Supreme or Creamy Cheese Sauce
- 3 ounces onion, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons dry white wine (or dry vermouth)
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons bacon drippings or fat of choice
- 6 ounces softened cream cheese,
- 3 ounces grated cheddar cheese,
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 3/4 cup unsalted chicken stock/broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Topping
- 1/3 cup crushed pork rinds (or low carb bread crumbs)
- 1/8 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350 and position the rack in the middle of the oven. Butter an 8×8 oven proof casserole dish.
- Cook green beans to your liking. (I like to put them in a microwaveable bowl with 2 tablespoons of water, cover them, and steam them on high power for 4-5 minutes depending on microwave strength. Then I test for done-ness, uncover and drain.) Place the green beans into a large bowl with the chopped bacon and mix.
- Mince the onion, garlic, and parsley, keeping them separate and zest the lemon.
Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Heat a large skillet (I use a non-stick) over medium high heat and add the bacon drippings when the pan is hot. Add the minced onion and saute until translucent – about 2-3 minutes. Then add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes until soft. Turn the heat down to medium and add the parsley, lemon zest and wine. Saute for about a minute or until the smell of the alcohol has burned off. Add the softened cream cheese and break it up in the pan so that it melts more easily. Add the chicken broth little by little and whisk to combine until the cream cheese has melted. Turn the heat to medium-low and let the sauce bubble a little to combine flavors and thicken slightly. Add the cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk and taste to adjust seasoning.
Assemble
- Pour the sauce into the bowl with the green beans and bacon and stir together. Pour the green bean mixture into the buttered baking dish.
Top
- Crush 1/2 ounce of pork rinds by putting them in a plastic zip-loc bag and hitting them with the flat end of a meat mallet or rolling pin. Pour the crumbs into a small bowl and add 1/8 teaspoon granulated garlic and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Then, add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil and mix together with your fingers. Sprinkle over the casserole.
Bake
- Put the supreme green bean casserole in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly around the sides.
Serves 8 at 4 net carbs each.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Sweet and Sour German Green Beans
Worcestershire sauce is not gluten free unless you specifically buy “gluten free” Worcestershire sauce. My husband, who has celiac, has been glutenized many times because not a lot of people realize that.
Hello! Thank you for sharing this recipe! Appreciate it very much. I just made it ahead of time to have it ready for Thanksgiving. It looks and smells delicious. Does it reheat well? How long should i put it in the oven prior to serving? Thanks a bunch!
I’m sorry I missed this question, Laura. I usually make just before serving, and then rewarm leftovers in the microwave. I would take it out of the refrigerator for 30 minutes – 1 hour before covering and warming in the oven at 350 for about 30-40 minutes or until the center is warm. This is one of those that if I make it ahead, I rewarm it in the microwave and save the oven Thanksgiving for or other dishes. -Kim
I cannot stop eating this! It is so good!!
Do you think I could assemble the sauce ahead and refrigerate and then reheat in the microwave, pour over the beans and then bake?
Hi Jennifer. You might be able to? If I were going to experiment doing so, I would cook the sauce thinner (because it will thicken upon cooling and upon cooking in the oven) and also whisk a beaten egg yolk into the sauce just before I take it off the heat to cool. That will prevent the sauce from separating as it bakes in the oven. I would also heat it very gently in the microwave, using short bursts and stirring between, so as not to overheat the sauce. I may also partially pre-cook the green beans before assembly so they cook a little more evenly. I always let the casserole stand about 10 minutes before serving to allow the cheese a little time to thicken again.
I hope this gives you a jumping-off point. -Kim
This was outstanding!! Next time, I’ll add some sliced, cooked mushrooms. I’m ready to make another batch this weekend!!
This was pretty disgusting actually. No one ate it during thanksgiving. I can’t believe this has 5 stars. Bleh
Okay, Brit. Everyone has their own idea of what green bean casserole should taste like and I think the version with the canned soup and french-fried onions is terrible. My family, however, devoured this yesterday. I hope you and yours had a nice Thanksgiving despite not being partial to the recipe. Enjoy the holiday season. Blessings. -Kim
Have you made this with mushrooms? I know my family will like this but they will miss the mushrooms! Any changes to the recipe or just add them in?
You can add mushrooms. Cook them with the onions and garlic. -Kim
Trying to figure out the 3 oz minced onions. How does that covert to cups or tablespoons. Have tried finding online conversion but not having any luck.
Connie, I weigh my ingredients to be able to provide the most accurate nutritional information. Each 1/4 cup of small diced onion is approximately 1 ounce so 3 ounces is about 3/4 cup (maybe 2/3 cup if minced very fine). -Kim
We made this last year and LOVED it. We are going someplace for Thanksgiving this year and need it to be more travel friendly. I was wondering how you would go about using a crock pot to cook.
Hi Felicity. I’m sorry I missed this and it’s too late, now, but I have never made this in a crockpot. I don’t know how it would turn out. -Kim
To clarify – if I fully make this recipe, up to after I put on the toppings (but then not bake it), and then I put it in the fridge until the next day, the next day I should microwave it on low power for 8 minutes, and then put it in the oven for about 20 minutes, is that correct?? Thanks!
Hi Jaci. I would put it the microwave at 50 percent powder to help warm it up a little before baking. If your microwave is powerful, then maybe 6 minutes would be enough. I’m not sure the center of the casserole would warm-up in the oven in 20 minutes if it were started cold from the fridge. I tried that last year when I made it for my Brother’s family (I made it the day before). I let it sit on the counter for 20 minutes before baking and it was not ready after 20 minutes. It was ready closer to 40 minutes and then the sauce curdled a little. It was still great, but not perfect like I wanted. I think the absolute best way is to do it all in the pan, put it into the serving dish and put it under the broiler to finish before serving or to hold it in a warm oven for up to 30 minutes before serving. It depends on your time and situation. It is a mighty tasty casserole, though. -Kim
Making this for Thanksgiving and I am super excited! Do you think I could double the recipe in a 9×13 pan?
Sure Jen, you can double the recipe. Make sure that the green beans are cooked before it goes into the oven. It really doesn’t have to go into the oven as the beans can be warmed on the stove in the sauce, but most people like to warm up the dish and put the top under the broiler. If it cooks too long, the cheese sauce will separate a bit (because there is no flour to hold it together) but it will still taste really good. -Kim
Hi there! I can’t wait to try this out. I was wondering if you think I could make this in a crockpot? My oven will be completely full for the dinner I want to make this for, unfortunately.
Hi Morgan. I know that you can cook the green beans in advance, assemble and then heat it in the microwave. I would heat it at 50% power for like 10 minutes, check the center and then cook longer if needed. I know all microwaves are different.
Crockpots accumulate moisture while cooking so I am afraid that the recipe may get watery, however, if the beans are properly cooked and you assemble in the crockpot to keep warm or on low, that may work. -Kim
Just curious, have you have tried adding ground beef to this recipe to make this a complete meal?
No, but I am going to now! What a great idea. I would use lean ground beef (or turkey) as the recipe contains a lot of fat as it is. -Kim
I tried it last night using about 1lb. of lean ground beef. It was delicious, the whole family loved it!
I bet it was! It’s on my list for next week. -Kim
I made this for dinner tonight! OUTSTANDING! We have been looking for a green bean casserole for holidays! This is perfect! TYSM!!!
I’m so happy you like the recipe. It looked awesome in your photo! Thanks for sharing and for coming back to let me know how it turned out. Have a great week. -Kim
You are most welcome. I made it again last night is paired nicely with meatloaf I made. It went out of the house their morning to a friends! It was well received. You have a WINNER!
Thank you for the compliment.
I’m a big fan. Very flavorful!
Absolutely fabulous taste. The whole family loved it.
Best green bean casserole ever, there were no leftovers so I had to make a second batch!
This was the best green bean casserole I’ve ever had! Going to use less worst sauce next time, and extra sharp cheddar, less salt on the toppings bc my chicarrons were pretty salty but otherwise incredibly good!
The Supreme Green Bean Casserole how many servings? The recipe says Serve but no number following.
Hi Lesley. This recipe serves 8 people. -Kim
I used canned green beans and I must say, the best greenbean casserole ever!
Have you ever tried this recipe with asparagus?
No, Lorraine. I wonder if it would get watery? -Kim
Have you ever used canned gb??
No, I haven’t, Lindsey, but I have thawed and cooked frozen Frenched beans before and it works. -Kim
Delicious! This recipe makes me crave green bean casserole. I didn’t have any cheddar cheese, so I used all cream cheese, but I can’t wait to make it with cream cheese cheddar mix!
Winner! Used powdered mustard instead of Dijon and about 1/8 cup of Italian breadcrumbs with garlic powder and olive oil for topping (adds approx 2 carbs per serving). Frozen green beans steamed for 7 minutes in the microwave. Perfection! Between this and some cheesy cauliflower mash I’m already imagining a perfect Keto Thanksgiving later this year. Did I mentioned we devoured it all?
This was just about the best thing ever. I made this tonight bc our keto routine was getting boring. And my husband has been raving about this since he took the first bite. I will admit, I went a little rogue with sauce bc I added too much mustard so counter balanced with more broth and cheese. I also didn’t use white wine, I used broth. Soooo good! Will most definitely be making this again!
I am so happy that you and your husband enjoyed the recipe, Ashley! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know. Have a wonderful week. -Kim
what are your thoughts of using the thin green beans with this recipe?
I’ve made a very similar version with thawed frozen Frenched green beans. I prefer this version with fresh green beans, but use what you want and make it your own. The carb counts may change if you use frozen green beans. If you are using fresh French beans, then make sure the weight of green beans is the same and the carb count will be very nearly the same. I hope this helps. -Kim
Loved the Supreme Green Bean Casserole and the people not on diets liked it too for Christmas. Thank you.
This is the best green bean casserole ever!! Made this for thanksgiving since I’m on keto and everyone loved it! Now they want me to make it again for Christmas Eve. It’s so yummy I don’t mind.
This looks fantastic, and I’m cooking it for tomorrow. I’m debating whether it might be easier to assemble the casserole and refrigerate overnight, then actually cook it at my in-laws before dinner tomorrow. In this case, maybe leaving the topping off until just before baking. Have you tried this, or do you think prepping this dish ahead would work well?
Hi Emily. I would leave the topping for the last minute. I would also pre-warm the casserole in the microwave before baking. If it’s really cold, it will take longer. -Kim
What brand is the cheese sauce?
Hi Kyla. You make your own cheese sauce with the ingredients. Enjoy. -Kim
Hi Kim, would you recommend good brands of pork rinds, and low carb bread crumbs to get?
Hi Ping. I like Baconettes brand for pork rinds, but Mac is good, too. Look for pork rinds that look fully puffed and light. Some pork rinds are small and hard – these do not grind up nicely into a powder. As far as low bread crumbs… You can make your own breads and dry them out. I don’t usually do this. I have purchased low carb breads (Low Carb Bread Company) and used them before, but they are not my favorite choice. The reason is because they are made with vital wheat gluten and it causes inflammation in my body. I much prefer mixing pork rinds and grated Parmesan cheese now a days. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, let me know. -Kim
Tried this out for meal prepping, and let me tell YOU, this is absolutely amazing!!! I let my parents try a little bit, as they’re not familiar with green bean casserole and I had to stop them from eating their plates too. Must try, great recipe and I’m glad this is keto friendly. Thanks Kim!
Fantastic, Miguel! Make sure to send some home with your parents, lol. Thanks for taking the time to leave me your fun comment. Have a great day. -Kim
This was very good. My picky husband went back for seconds. The only thing I would do differently is not so much salt. Will definitely make this again!
I’m so glad you liked it Cheryl. Thanks for taking the time to let me know that your husband liked it, too. Enjoy the rest of your week. -Kim
What can I sub for the wine?
You can just leave it out, Phyllis. If you think the sauce needs to be thinned just a little (it will thicken further as the dish cools before serving) use a little water or chicken broth. Enjoy the casserole -Kim
This recipe turned out amazing! Comfort food without the carbs. I only modified it where necessary to make the recipe vegetarian: (no bacon, butter instead of bacon drippings, vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, homemade fried onions for the topping instead of the pork rind topping). I guess that probably actually changes it quite a lot, but it came out amazingly similar to my grandmother’s green bean casserole, which just happened to be vegetarian way before “Meatless Mondays.” My husband loved this recipe too! His only critique was that the Dijon is a bit overpowering, so I am going to cut it down to 1 tsp. instead next time. I will definitely be making this again.
So glad you liked the recipe and that you were able to easily convert it to fit your dietary needs, Rebecca. Thank you for sharing how you did it. It sounds wonderful and I’m happy to hear it’s similar to your grandmother’s casserole. I bet with the subs the Dijon was more prominent – easy fix. Thanks again and have a great day. -Kim
To was looking to see what replaced the onion rings on top. I made a more traditional gb casserole the other day with cream of onion soup and Aldi’s frozen green beans. If you don’t have fresh they are great and can be defrosted and eaten without cooking! I’ll be saving this to try soon.
Thanks for sharing Gloria! I have also seen low carb fried onion rings. I can’t remember the name of the brand, but they were good. -Kim
Also, homemade fried onions are SUPER easy to make! I use this 2 ingredient low-carb recipe from the NYT.
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016022-david-taniss-crispy-fried-shallots
Thanks for sharing the link, Rebecca. I’m sure people will love this. -Kim
Excited to try this! Any ideas on substitutes for the pork rinds? I like pork rinds but part of my family is jewish, so the bacon and pork rinds are a no-go. not using the bacon in the recipe is not a problem but not sure what else to use for a topping to keep it low carb and kosher!
Great question, Lindsey. In this particular case, if it were me, I would sub panko bread crumbs for the pork rinds and put less or none over my designated section. If gluten is an issue, you can fry up some shallots until crispy and add them to the top before serving. You can also mix almond flour with a little oil and parsley put it on top. -Kim
pan fried shallots? that’s what i’m going to try.
I left out the topping altogether and used homemade fried shallots. Only two ingredients, low-carb and super simple. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016022-david-taniss-crispy-fried-shallots
Great idea, Rebecca. I love fried shallots. I sometimes burn them, though! Oops. -Kim
How many servings do you count for this?
Hi Renee. It serves 8. You should be able to find serving sizes near the top of the recipe under the recipe description. You can also scale the recipe by hovering over the serving size. -Kim
What’s the serving size? I looked but couldn’t find it.
I’m sorry Chris, I usually divide visually. I never remember to measure the cooked product in measuring cups because that’s not how I serve my family in real life. It’s a tasty recipe, though. Enjoy the rest of your week. -Kim
But how many does it feed? In your family?
Green bean casserole isn’t a side dish that we have for Thanksgiving but when I saw this recipe is sounded so good that I had to try it out this year. It was a huge success! Everyone loved that it wasn’t like the traditional green bean casserole. I’ll be making this as a side dish often. I did top it with French’s onions but only because I just love those crispy little things lol. Thank you! I’m looking forward to making more of your recipes!
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed the green beans. Thanks for taking the time to come back and share such a nice comment. Have a great weekend. -Kim
Made this for Thanksgiving for my husband who is borderline diabetic. It was a real hit. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Great Low Ann. I’m happy you found something that worked on Thanksgiving Day. Thanks for coming back and leaving such a nice comment and a rating. Enjoy the rest of your week. -Kim
I really like this, but it’s a different flavor than the mushroomy traditional green bean casserole. I think next time I’ll use just a little cream cheese and make a mushroom sauce with heavy cream. Very tasty, though!
I’m glad you liked the recipe. I love your idea of making a mushroom cream sauce. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. -Kim
All I’ve done so far is lick the spoon with the sauce and it’s delicious! I’m newly disagnosed with gestational diabetes ( right before thanksgiving, ah!) and this recipe is incredibly helpful to make a low carb adjustment to one of my favorite sides . ( I’ve also made your rolls which help curb my bread cravings) thank you!
I’m sorry about your diagnosis, Rose. It is fortunate that you caught it before the holidays. You will be so happy to learn that there are low carb subs for almost everything (cookies and breads are hard, though). There are so many wonderful foods that you can have that in time you won’t miss the other stuff and you will be nourishing your baby with good foods! Enjoy your Thanksgiving and have fun discovering new foods and recipes. -Kim
This recipe is great. I’ve made it twice now and it’s perfect as is. That being said, and bc I’m a glutton, I use a full 8 oz cream cheese and 4 oz cheddar cheese. I’ve been out of Dijon mustard each time making and substituted spicy brown instead. Delicious recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe. Thanks for sharing your changes. Have a wonderful week! -Kim
I can’t wait to make this dish for Thanksgiving. I am making this the night before and wondered if you fully make the recipe from start to finish and then just reheat it in the micro & oven before serving? Or if I should just assemble everything in keep it in the fridge overnight. On Thanksgiving, I could add the pork rind topping and bake the full time. I am worried if I make it start to finish the day before, that the topping will end up soggy. What are your thoughts on the best way to do this?
Heather, it really comes together quickly. I steam the beans in the microwave and that only takes a few minutes. Meanwhile, I start making the sauce, which only takes a few minutes. I mix the two together in the pan in which I made the sauce (to warm up the beans) and put it in my serving dish. Then I top with the crumb mixture. It goes pretty fast! The only thing about making it the day before, is that it will take a long time to heat through. I would warm it on 50% power in the microwave for 6-10 minutes (depending on the power of your microwave), then top with the pork rinds and finish it off in the oven. Does this make sense? -Kim
Hello!
I was wondering if there was any way to lower the carb count any more. I don’t want to take a lot of insulin this thanksgiving and am looking for low carb options. Do you have any other recipes for low-carb thanksgiving food? Thanks!
Look at the Sweet and Sour German Green Beans recipe. It is so good! I also like green beans Almondine. They are both tasty options. -Kim
Hi, Looks Great!!! One quick question… Do you thunk your supreme Green Bean casserole would work in the Slow-Cooker??? Thank You…
That is a great question, Cheryl. I honestly don’t have an answer for you. It might work? I don’t use my crockpot that much and I have never use it for a casserole. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help. -Kim
I’ve been looking for a more “updated” version of a somewhat “dated” Thanksgiving tradition to add to my menu this year, and I have found it!!! I love the low carb aspect of it, and the more modern, yet very rich and still traditional recipe! I also love using fresh green beans. My family is not keen on most canned vegetables, and we choose fresh over frozen whenever possible. There is a versatility to this recipe that wasn’t there for the original, old school green bean casserole, which while I probably will not deviate from this recipe, it seems there is wiggle room for adjustments for taste and dietetic needs, which is awesome. Cannot wait to add this to my Thanksgiving table, and can’t wait to see the reactions to it! This sounds absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!!! Have a wonderful Holiday Season!!!
Yes, Christy, there is wiggle room and you can also use sour cream instead of the cream cheese. We like it both ways. Remember that it gets really thick as it cools. Enjoy the recipe and the upcoming holidays. -Kim
Good Morning… Have you ever doubled the SUPREME GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE ??? Or should I make 2 (9″x9″) dishes for my buffet??? Thank You…
Hi Cheryl. I have never doubled the recipe, but I don’t see why you couldn’t. The bowl in the pictures is pretty small, but deep. I like your idea of 2 9×9 baking dishes. You may want to cover when they go into the oven and back longer because the sauce is thick and rich. Enjoy. -Kim
Can you make this recipe in advance and freeze it? How would you do that?
Shawn, I have never made it in advance to freeze and cook later. I make this once or twice a year for the Holidays and usually make it the day of or put it in the refrigerator to cook the next day. If I do that, I start it in the microwave for a few minutes to warm it a little before sticking it in the oven to finish cooking. I’m sorry that I don’t have an answer for you. – Kim
This sounds amazing! It’s bean harvest season right now so I’m looking forward to making this! One question.. I don’t drink wine or vermouth, and don’t really want to buy any just for the recipe.. is there anything else (preferably non-alcoholic) I can sub instead?
Thanks!
Thanks, Natalie. The wine or vermouth is just for extra flavor. You can omit. Enjoy the recipe, it is very rich. -Kim
I plan to make this for Easter dinner at my MIL’s house (after a test run, of course!). I think it’ll be a great fit because I eat low-carb and she needs something gluten-free. One question – how big a casserole dish should I use? Would 13×9 do it, or should I use something smaller? Thanks!
Great question, Shannon. Use a 9×9 inch pyrex or something similar. I hope you enjoy the casserole. Have a great weekend. -Kim
What is the serving size?
Hi Jen. The recipe serves 8. I visually divide it when I am serving. Next time I make it I will measure the serving. Have a nice evening. -Kim
I can’t wait to try this! Looks delicious!
I tried this for today’s Thanksgiving feast, and they were amazing. They were the favorite low carb side dish at our table. I used carmelized onions mixed with crisp bacon and Parmesan cheese for the topping. So delicious!
Sandi, I’m so glad your side was a hit. I love how you made it your own with the delicious sounding topping! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Have a wonderful week. -Kim
Is there any way one could make this in a slow cooker? If so, how?
Hi Katie, great question. I haven’t tried simply because I don’t use my crock pot very often. It was super easy for me to cook the beans in the microwave while making the sauce in a pan, then combining them. I use my saute pans for everything. Good luck on the crock pot method and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. -Kim
THIS is definitely getting made for Thanksgiving! Thank you for the recipe!!
Great, Sandy. Have a wonderful week with family and friends. -Kim
Hi Kim, I am looking forward to making this recipe and bringing to my mother-in-laws house. Pressure!! LOL. My brother in law has recently been diagnosed with diabetes and I have no clue about the right foods. She warned me to keep the casserole “Low Carbs”. Actually she said, “No Carbs”, but I find that unrealistic. She is also asking for heart smart too. My question is along the heart smart idea, is it okay to use a freeze dried (microwave bacon) and use a different kind of fat for the mixture? Or is the bacon drippings/lard the heart of the flavor? And when choosing a dry wine, what do you use? I know you don’t want to advertise or say a brand, but is a white Chardonnay okay, or what type of wine? I don’t drink alcohol and usually use white wine vinegar for my chicken picante. One last thing, many green bean casseroles have a mushroom ingredient. What are your thoughts on adding mushrooms? Thanks so much and I wish you and your family and beautiful and safe holiday! Thanks, Julie
Hi Julie. If your brother-in-law is just starting a low carb diet, then I can see how he would be afraid of fat. We have been taught that fat is the culprit behind heart disease (it’s not) and that diabetics should also be watching fat. Furthermore, we have been taught that saturated fat is the worst kind of fat and that is not true, so whether bacon grease or olive oil is used makes no difference. We both know that I am not a doctor and of course people should listen to their doctors advice, but diabetics need to be watching carbohydrates and not really fats. Having said that, let me see if I can make you feel better about the recipe. When divided between 8 people each person is eating about 1 ounce of cheese, 1 teaspoon of oil and 1 piece of bacon. This is a perfectly beautiful ketogenic side dish. One may be tempted to use light cream cheese but the trade off is a product higher in carbs. The only time fat is dangerous is when it is eaten with a bunch of carbohydrates. Diet Doctor has a lot of great, informative articles which speak about the relationship of carbohydrates and how they affect diabetics, specifically. Adding mushrooms would be perfect. They would be the first vegetable in the pan with the bacon fat (or olive oil if you prefer). Saute the sliced mushrooms for two minutes on one side, then stir and add the onions, sauteing until translucent and continuing with the recipe. If you are worried about bacon, find the brand that has the least amount of added sugars – that would be a better choice than using a freeze-dried variety. I buy the $3 chardonnay from Trader Joe’s. They have award winning wines for $3. I don’t drink either, but I use it in cooking because the alcohol burns-off completely, leaving a nice flavor. My wine lasts for 4-5 months! But, you could get away with omitting it. Make sure that the beans are completely cooked because they don’t cook in the oven. The dish goes into the oven to do some last minute warming and to toast the topping. For your BIL, the pork rind topping would be a better option than bread crumbs. You really can’t tell the difference between good panko bread crumbs and the pork rinds. Many people think that just a little carbs won’t hurt a diabetic, that they can just take more insulin, but in all actuality they do. If you need to contact me or give me a call to ask any questions… email me at kim [at] lowcarbmaven [dot] com and ask if you can call. I will give you my phone number. I applaud you for wanting to make something that your BIL can have. You are my hero tonight, Juile. Very, very sincerely, -Kim. (ps. I feel like I wanted to say so much to you that everything is a big run on sentence. I’m sorry.)
I’ve never tried pork rinds. I’m afraid to lol. Are there “low carb” breadcrumbs?
Michelle! Lol. You can’t tell the difference when they are used as breading and crumbs. If you want low carb bread crumbs, then you have to make low carb bread. That’s a lot of extra work. What I might do is cut some onions into very thin strips and fry them in a 1/2 inch of oil in a pot or pan. You will have to watch them because they will go from brown to burnt very quickly. Drain them on paper towels and top the green beans when it comes out of the oven. It would be very good. -OR- you could mix up some almond flour and oil and distribute it over the top of the green beans and brown them in the oven. Let me know what you end up doing. Have a great weekend. -Kim
Thanks for the tip about cooking bacon in the oven. Only discovered this recently and will never go back to stove top or microwave!
It’s so easy, isn’t it Kathy. I won’t go back either. I love how all of the bacon cooks at once and so evenly. Have a wonderful day. -Kim
I don’t think I can wait till Thanksgiving to make this! Yum!!
Thanks, Allison! Have a great week. -Kim
I prepared this dish to accompany baked chicken and a green salad. It was awesome! So decadent and full of flavor. Thankyiu ffor sharing this great recipe!
Deena, thank you for taking the time to comment on the recipe – I think you are the first. It is really yummy and my daughter’s favorite. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Have a nice week -Kim
Well I’ve certainly found my Thanksgiving casserole recipe! I can’t do pork rinds (I don’t eat pork) But I’ll bet some crumbled turkey bacon and toasted almonds and powdered parmesan would add a nice crunch
Thanks Monica. It’s pretty good! It’s super thick, so you may want to thin it out a little if you like it more saucy. I think your idea about subbing to turkey bacon, Parm. cheese and almonds is wonderful. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy! -Kim
Thank you for posting this recipe, I can’t wait to try it!! Have a wonderful time with your family, Merry Christmas!!
You’re welcome, Mary! It is very rich. I hope you like it. You have a wonderful time with you family, too! Merry Christmas! -Kim
That’s a one gourmet casserole! Looks so tasty and rich, and it being low carb and gluten free is certainly a bonus!
Thanks, Melanie! You made my day! -Kim
Yum, those crushed pork rinds on top of the casserole look delish! I read the NPR article that you linked to. Those days of ‘open and dump’ are over, I hope. Reminds me when I was a teen-ager and used to open a can of Campbells soup and mix it in with something and call it a dish. It looks like you’ve been quite busy Kim- doing a new post every several days!
Thanks,Fran. Yes, I hope those days are over. Now that you are a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, I bet you shudder to think of those types of dishes! Not that I’m calling you a food snob or anything! No, I’ve not been that busy posting, I just needed to get this recipe out for someone who wanted it. I predict a big slow-down this weekend as my kids will be home for 3 weeks for the Christmas Holidays! Have a nice week! -Kim