What do you think of when somebody asks about your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? Turkey is the star, but the side dishes can shine on their own. One of the most popular creations people will bring to the table is green bean casserole.
Who invented this dish? When was green bean casserole created? This article will show the history of this popular Thanksgiving side dish.
What Is Green Bean Casserole?
Many Americans make green bean casserole for Thanksgiving — some even make it for other occasions throughout the year. This dish consists of green beans combined with cream of mushroom soup. These are the base ingredients, but some will add additional toppings like cheese, bacon, garlic, onion and mushrooms. It’s an integral part of Thanksgiving meals for many Americans.
Where Did Green Bean Casserole Originate?
Green bean casserole has been around for a while, but it wasn’t on the first Thanksgiving table in the 1620s. So when was green bean casserole created? The origins go back to the mid-20th century. A woman named Dorcas Reilly gets credit for inventing green bean casserole in 1955. Reilly was an employee of the Campbell Soup Company, working in the test kitchen in Camden, New Jersey, as part of Campbell’s home economics department.
Reilly and Campbell Soup originally called this recipe green bean bake. The dish initially contained only six ingredients — Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, French-fried onions, black pepper, milk, soy sauce and green beans. Interestingly enough, Campbell intended for green bean casserole to be something you could make any day of the week. It didn’t become a holiday dish until the next decade when Campbell’s put the recipe on its cream of mushroom soup label.
Why Is Green Bean Casserole a Thanksgiving Tradition?
Green bean casserole quickly became popular as a holiday dish in the United States because of its convenience. Other Thanksgiving dishes can be laborious. Turkey takes multiple hours of preparation and cooking in the oven. Homemade stuffing — or dressing, depending on your region — can require prep days beforehand with drying out the bread.
Cooking Thanksgiving dinner can be stressful. Green bean casserole takes some of the pressure off because it’s a dish you can quickly put together. Some people began to call it a “jiffy” casserole because all you need to do is mix the ingredients in one bowl and transfer them into a dish for baking. It’s a win for Thanksgiving chefs because you can ease your stress about the other items you’ll be cooking.
Green bean casserole’s rise in popularity coincides with that of TV dinners. In 1953 — just two years before the invention of green bean casserole — Swanson unveiled the first TV dinner. It was a commercial success, selling more than 10 million dinners in 1954 and 25 million by 1955. People would eat pre-made Salisbury steak while watching popular TV shows like “I Love Lucy.” Dinnertime no longer had to be a complicated endeavor, whether on a weeknight or Thanksgiving.
Are There Green Bean Casserole Variations?
Through the years, green bean casserole has largely stayed the same. However, there have been some variations. Vegetarian and vegan diets are rising, so people have altered Thanksgiving dishes to fit these lifestyles. Green bean casserole is typically vegetarian in itself. But to make it vegan, some people will use unsweetened almond milk, vegetable broth, vegan butter and other meat and dairy-free alternatives.
Thanksgiving is prominent in the United States, but Americans aren’t the only ones who celebrate it. Canadian neighbors to the north celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October to celebrate the harvest. A Canadian modification with green bean poutine puts a spin on the classic American dish. An Italian flair may be fitting with roasted red peppers and mozzarella cheese on top.
Is Green Bean Casserole Healthy?
Healthy eating may be a lower priority during the holiday season because of all the tasty food available. Many people begin the New Year with fitness goals because of their holiday food consumption. But is green bean casserole a healthy dish to make during the holidays? There are some nutritious qualities to it.
The healthiest part about green bean casserole is the green beans themselves — the vegetables have fiber, minerals and vitamins C, A, K and more. Calcium and magnesium are also significant benefits from green beans. They’re an excellent accompaniment to many dishes, not just during the holidays.
There are some downsides to eating green bean casserole, though. Canned soup and French-fried onions can be high in sodium. So, those with blood pressure issues should beware. The fat content can be a concern.
There are ways to make green bean casserole healthier, though. You could use fresh or frozen green beans to reduce the sodium content you may find in canned beans. If you use a recipe with milk, you could opt for skim milk or another variation with reduced fat. Some people replace the French-fried onions and cream of mushroom soup with sauteed onions and a creamy parmesan sauce.
Green Bean Casserole — A Thanksgiving Classic
Thanksgiving traditions hardly ever get old. The food, family and football create a wonderful atmosphere every fourth Thursday of November. The food you’ll see at the table will differ from house to house, but one typical side dish you’ll find is green bean casserole. Your grandparents may be older than the dish, but it’s become a staple because of its convenience and tasty qualities.