Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

published: Oct 8, 2022

The Best Green Bean Casserole, Made in the Slow Cooker!

Stuffing, pie, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes… there might be lots of must-have side dishes for your holiday feast, depending on your family’s taste. But I doubt that any of them is as easy as this retro favorite green bean casserole make extra easy with the crockpot. With just a handful of ingredients and basically no prep, it’s no wonder we keep coming back to this creamy classic!

Well, get ready, because this easy crock pot version takes it to a whole new level of convenience. Whether you’re just trying to fit more things in the oven, or you’re trying to think of a good side dish that will handle a car ride with ease, crock pot green bean casserole might just be the ticket.

If you are looking for a homemade version, don’t miss this recipe for my very favorite Green Bean Casserole from scratch! Or, I also have an Easy Green Bean Casserole that you make in the oven!

From top left: Black pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, soy sauce, french fried onions, parmesan cheese, cream of mushroom soup, green beans, milk.

What You’ll Need

While there are lots of versions of green bean casserole out there, this one keeps things simple. The only addition I’ve made is to add cheese – and I think you’re gonna love it.

Mushroom Soup: Condensed cream of mushroom soup – don’t dilute it with water, just use it as-is.
Milk: A little milk thins the sauce to just the right consistency.
Soy Sauce: This adds depth and an umami flavor. You could also use tamari or coconut aminos.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground, if possible.
French Fried Onions: These are sold in a canister, usually near all of the canned veggies.
Parmesan Cheese: A little for the casserole filling, and a little more for topping.
Cheddar Cheese: Freshly grated.
Green Beans: I use whole frozen green beans, with any tough ends snipped off.

A crock pot with a casserole in it, and a large metal serving spoon.

How to Make Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

This truly is a mix-and-cook, set-it-and-forget-it side dish. Here’s how to make it, step by step.

Mix Up the Sauce in Your Slow Cooker. Add the mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and pepper to your slow cooker and stir to combine. Then stir in half of the crispy fried onions, half of the parmesan cheese, and all of the cheddar cheese.

Milk, cream of mushroom soup, pepper, and other ingredients in a slow cooker.

Creamy mushroom sauce in a slow cooker, with cheese and french fried onions on top.

Add the Green Beans and Topping. Stir in the frozen green beans. Then sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top, followed by the remaining crispy fried onions.

Green beans coated in creamy mushroom sauce in a crock pot.

An un-cooked casserole topped with fried onions in a crock pot.

Cook. Cover with the lid, and cook on low for 3 hours, or on high for 2 hours, until the onions are golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Want to know more about this dish? Great, you’re in the right place! Here are a few helpful cook’s notes to make sure your casserole turns out mouthwatering.

Topping: If you like a lot of crispy fried onions on top of your green bean casserole, you may want to use more than the recipe calls for. That would mean buying an extra container.
About the Soy Sauce: Soy sauce may sound odd, but it gives the casserole a great flavor. If you don’t want to use the soy sauce, you could use chicken broth. However, you may need to add extra salt to your casserole if you do use broth instead of soy sauce.
Canned Green Beans: You can definitely use canned green beans instead of frozen, if you prefer! I find that frozen green beans keep their texture better than canned.

Close-up shot of cheesy, golden-brown crock pot green bean casserole topping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Mix Up Green Bean Casserole the Night Before?

Definitely! Just don’t add the fried onion topping until you’re ready to cook. That way, it will stay crispy.

Should Green Bean Casserole Be Soupy?

Not so much. Make sure to measure carefully, and even though you’re using condensed soup, don’t add water! You want a nice, thick, creamy sauce.

How Do You Know When Green Bean Casserole Is Done?

Green bean casserole is done when the beans are tender (not squeaky), and the whole dish is bubbling nicely around the edges.

A serving spoon lifting creamy casserole out of a slow cooker.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

When I think of crock pot green bean casserole, I think holiday food! This recipe would go with all of your holiday faves. Here are just a few of ours:

Turkey Breast: If you love the whole turkey tradition but don’t want to make a whole turkey, try making just the turkey breast! It’s easy to do, and you can even use your air fryer. Check out this easy tutorial for Air Fryer Turkey Breast to see how. Or go all out and make my very favorite Thanksgiving Turkey!
Corn Casserole: Anything with corn is a hit around here – but this Southern Corn Pudding is extra-special. It’s an old-fashioned recipe that’s sweet, creamy, savory, and carb-y, all at the same time.
Cranberry Relish: Real cranberry sauce (or relish) is easy to make, and adds a refreshing contrast to all of your savory holiday dishes. This simple Cranberry Relish recipe is one you’re sure to love.
Potatoes: No matter if it’s the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cheesy Potato Casserole, or my favorite Sweet Potato Casserole, potatoes are always great with green beans!

A serving of green bean casserole in a small bowl, next to a slow cooker.

Storing and Reheating Instructions

Storing this casserole is easy. Just scoop or spoon it into an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place the desired amount in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a paper towel, and microwave until heated through (be sure to stir it from time to time, and watch out for hot and cold spots). You can also reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

A small serving of creamy casserole in a white bowl with a fork.

Can I Freeze This Dish?

If you would like to freeze your crock pot green bean casserole, that will work – but keep in mind that the crunchy fried onion topping will lose its crunch after freezing and thawing. It will still be safe to eat, though, so go for it if you like! Portion out the leftovers into freezer containers and freeze for 3 – 4 months.

Another option would be to mix up the casserole, minus the topping, and freeze it before you cook it. Just pack the mixture into freezer bags or containers, and freeze it for 3 – 4 months. Thaw in the fridge before scooping it into your slow cooker and continuing with the recipe.

Yield: 6 Servings