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Lighter Brown Butter Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shallots

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A healthier twist on the classic green bean casserole, featuring nutty brown butter, crispy shallots, and tender-crisp green beans. Ready in under an hour, this crowd-pleasing side dish is perfect for holidays and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (680g) fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
  • 3 large or 4 medium shallots (about 150g), thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
  • ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper)
  • ¼ cup (30g) panko breadcrumbs (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons (15g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Position a rack in the middle.
  2. Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and crisp. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
  3. Make crispy shallots: On a rimmed baking sheet, toss sliced shallots with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread in a single layer. Roast for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and crispy. Set aside. Keep oven on.
  4. Brown the butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Swirl occasionally until it foams, then the foam subsides and brown specks appear (about 4-6 minutes). Remove from heat immediately when it smells nutty and turns amber.
  5. Build the sauce: Add minced garlic to browned butter and stir for 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute. Slowly pour in milk while whisking, then add broth. Continue whisking until sauce thickens (3-4 minutes). Stir in thyme, salt, and pepper.
  6. Combine: Add blanched green beans to the skillet with sauce. Toss gently to coat. Transfer mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  7. Add topping: In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan. Sprinkle over green beans.
  8. Bake: Bake for 15-18 minutes until bubbly and topping is golden. Remove from oven and scatter crispy shallots on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t rush the brown butter; use medium heat and watch closely. Slice shallots evenly for uniform crisping. Blanching is essential for perfect texture. Can be assembled a day ahead (without crispy shallots and topping); add 5-7 minutes to baking time if starting cold. Watch salt carefully due to Parmesan and broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, brown butter, crispy shallots, Thanksgiving side, holiday recipe, healthier casserole

Find it online: https://evabake.com/lighter-brown-butter-green-bean-casserole-with-crispy-shallots/