Green bean casserole is one of the most delicious baked dishes from American cuisine and is prepared with green beans, French fried onions, and cream of mushroom soup.
It’s a common side dish served on Thanksgiving dinners and is said to be iconic. Milk is one of the most important ingredients in green bean casserole as it adds richness and creaminess.
However, if you don’t have access to milk for any reason and are wondering what can you substitute for milk in green bean casserole, we are sharing some options with you!
What Can You Substitute For Milk In Green Bean Casserole?
- Heavy Cream
Heavy cream is one of the most delicious substitutes for milk because of its higher fat content. For this reason, it’s recommended that you dilute the heavy cream because it will thicken the texture too much.
Milk can be replaced by mixing 50% water and 50% heavy cream. The best thing about heavy cream is that it can be whipped and can be used in cooking recipes.
It adds richness and creaminess to the sauces, which is why we recommend using it for green bean casserole.
- Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk is basically milk with evaporated water content. For this reason, it’s the best substitute for regular milk in green bean casserole.
To use evaporated milk in the casserole, we recommend that you open the can and add an equal amount of water before you add it to the casserole.
However, it’s recommended that you add less water in the beginning and make it into a paste. Also, you must mix evaporated milk with water properly to prevent lumps.
- Half-and-Half
As the name suggests, half-and-half is made from 50% heavy cream and 50% whole milk. For this purpose, it can be used as 1:1 substitute to replace milk.
The half-and-half is a reliable option for people who need something fat-free. In most cases, it’s thickened with corn syrup or other additives.
- Plain Yogurt
Plain yogurt is one of the most convenient options. It can be used to replace milk in savory as well as sweet recipes.
You can use plain yogurt in the same amount. However, if you use Greek yogurt, it’s better that you thin it out a bit with water before you mix it into the casserole.
The best thing about using yogurt is that it’s readily available in grocery stores, irrespective of Greek or plain yogurt.
- Sour Cream
Sour cream is another substitute for milk in casserole. This is because it complements the savory flavor of the casserole and can tenderize the beans as well.
Keep in mind that sour cream will add a bit of tanginess to the casserole, which is something people actually like.
Sour cream is prepared by fermenting cream with lactic acid bacteria. Also, it is fermented to achieve a thick texture, which goes well with casserole.
- Powdered Milk
Powdered milk is basically regular milk with the moisture content removed. Powdered milk has a dusty texture, which is why you must mix it with water.
The powdered milk is available in flavored form as well but you’ve to use unsweetened powdered milk to make sure the casserole’s flavor isn’t impacted.
- Almond Milk
Almond milk is a reliable choice for people who need a dairy-free option. The plain almond milk is readily available in grocery stores.
However, almond milk tends to have a nutty and sweet flavor but you might be able to find unsweetened version as well.
Almond milk is prepared with whole yet ground almonds or almond butter, depending on the brand you choose. Also, when you open the box, make sure you use it within seven days and refrigerate it.
- Soy Milk
Soy milk is another option for lactose-intolerant people because it’s a dairy-free option. It has a flavor closer to regular milk.
The best thing about soy milk is that its texture is similar to regular milk, which is why you can use plain soy milk to add creaminess to green bean casserole.
- Rice Milk
Rice milk is a reliable choice for people who need a dairy-free option. This is because rice milk is a combination of rice and water and doesn’t have any dairy.
However, you have to remember that rice milk has a thinner texture, so you might have to add some thickener to the casserole to achieve a creamy and rich texture.
- Oat Milk
Oat milk is a dairy-free option and is usually used in baking recipes. However, you can also use it for preparing green bean casserole.
The best thing about oat milk is that it has a higher protein level, which can cover for regular milk. It’s recommended that you add a bit of vinegar or lemon juice for leavening purposes.
Oat milk is easier to find and has a creamy texture. In addition, oat milk has a neutral flavor, so it won’t interfere with the flavor of your casserole.
- Water
Water is another substitute that you can try. However, water won’t add any flavor to the green bean casserole.
In addition, water is thin, which is why there will be changes in texture. We recommend adding a spoonful of butter for one cup of water to the casserole.
- Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is one of the delicious substitutes for regular milk in green bean casserole. However, you have to remember that it has a strong coconut flavor, so add something to mask the coconut flavor.
In addition, coconut milk has a higher fat content, which adds creaminess to the casserole.
- Hemp Milk
Hemp milk is a reliable choice for people who want to add a creamy texture to the casserole. However, it has a sweet undertone, which is why we recommend adding more spices.
Hemp milk is suitable for vegan people, and one glass of high-quality hemp milk will result in 2g to 3g of protein. The only issue is that hemp milk isn’t readily available.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that green bean casserole is a savory recipe, so make sure you choose a substitute with a neutral flavor.
All these substitutes are available in nearby grocery stores, so which one will you choose?