If you’re wondering what to serve with your green bean casserole, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 42 of the most popular side dishes for green bean casserole.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best dishes to serve with green bean casserole are Cajun turkey, pumpkin dinner rolls, baked mac and cheese, and lentil loaf. You can also serve grilled portobello mushrooms, oven-fried chicken, instant pot BBQ ribs, garlic parmesan roasted sweet potatoes,or a shaved brussels sprouts salad.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Cajun turkey
Green bean casserole is a well-known Thanksgiving side, so it’s a no-brainer to serve it with a turkey roast (or a chicken).
You could always go with a classic herby roast, but if you want to shake things up, why not season the bird with a Cajun spice blend?
This seasoning gives the meat a delectable fiery kick that will have your guests licking their fingers.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a nice spin on a classic.
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Cajun turkey
Make it easier
Citrus herb roast turkey breast
Make it budget-friendly
Harissa and lemon roast chicken
Dutch oven pot roast
Craving something hearty and comforting? You can’t go wrong with pot roast.
It takes some time to make, but you’ll be rewarded with fall-off-the-bone beef, tender veggies, and a deeply flavorsome sauce.
I love serving this stew with green bean casserole – its creamy, mushroom-based sauce is the perfect contrast to the pot roasts’ robust gravy.
Why we love this recipe: it’s pure comfort in a bowl.
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Dutch oven pot roast
Make it plant-based
Mushroom bourguignon
Make it fancy
Roast beef
Pumpkin dinner rolls
Whether you’re having a regular weeknight dinner or hosting a holiday feast, these dinner rolls are a must-have on your table.
Adding pumpkin puree gives your rolls a soft yellow hue and ensures they turn out fluffy and moist.
And they’re perfect for mopping up your green bean casserole’s luscious sauce.
Why we love this recipe: you can make extra and use them for turkey sandwiches the next day.
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Pumpkin dinner rolls
Stick with the classics
Garlic butter dinner rolls
Make it fancy
No-knead crusty artisan mini loaves
Lentil loaf
A meat-free main that will pair superbly with green bean casserole is this vegetable lentil loaf.
You need to be careful with moisture when you’re making it, because too much moisture could result in a soggy meatloaf.
But when it’s done right, the loaf has a delightfully chewy bite.
Psst… brown lentils will give you the best results.
Why we love this recipe: it’s filled with good-for-you stuff.
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Vegetable lentil loaf
Ditch the lentils
Black bean and quinoa loaf
Go meaty
Classic beef meatloaf
Oven fried chicken
Make fried chicken dinners slightly healthier by baking the chicken instead of deep frying it.
You won’t get the signature craggy crust, but you’ll still get a crispy outside with juicy chicken – all without the hassle of heating a pot full of oil.
Complete your fried chicken meal with an indulgent but nourishing green bean casserole on the side.
Why we love this recipe: the oven does most of the work.
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Oven-fried chicken
Make it meat-free
Fried oyster mushrooms
Make another favorite
Baked chicken tenders
Shaved brussels sprouts salad with bacon and pecans
Brussels sprouts tend to get a bad rep, but I bet most people have never tried them in a salad!
This salad features bacon bits, pecans, and parmesan cheese, and a simple maple vinaigrette, helping offset the sprouts’ natural bitterness.
Serve this salad alongside your green bean casserole when you want something light but still festive.
Why we love this recipe: it takes a basic ingredient and turns it into something extra tasty.
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Shaved brussels sprouts salad with bacon and pecans
Make it hearty
Butternut squash salad
Add something fruity
Kale, apple, and quinoa salad
Baked mac and cheese
No feast would be complete without mac and cheese!
Everyone has their go-to recipe for mac and cheese, and mine is always baked.
The crunchy breadcrumb topping makes the dish simply irresistible.
This recipe uses a gruyere and mozzarella combo to get that stretchy cheese sauce, but you can use any well-melting cheese.
Why we love this recipe: most of the ingredients are pantry staples.
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Baked mac and cheese
Make it low-carb
Baked cauliflower “mac” and cheese
Make it dairy-free
Vegan mac and cheese
Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin
Looking for a show-stopping main dish that isn’t turke?
Try this bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin.
The bacon wrapping instantly makes this dish stand out and adds a caramelized, crispy layer to contrast the moist pork underneath.
And as if things couldn’t get any better, the pork is smoked with hickory wood chips. YUM.
Why we love this recipe: everyone loves bacon, so you can’t really go wrong!
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Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with maple glaze
Preheat the oven
Roasted balsamic pork tenderloin
Keep it simple
Pan-seared pork chops
Greek-style grilled lamb chops
Lamb chops aren’t the first thing to come to mind when you think about green bean casserole, but you won’t regret pairing them!
These chops boast a bright, citrusy taste, thanks to the yogurt and lemon marinade.
The acidity from the lemon and the gameiness of the lamb will work together to balance out the earthy, creamy flavors of your casserole.
Why we love this recipe: it looks and tastes like it came from a five-star restaurant.
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Greek-style grilled lamb chops
Fire up the oven
Herb-crusted rack of lamb
Make it Moroccan-inspired
Spiced lamb meatloaf
Lemon and garlic baked cod
Want something lighter to serve with your green bean casserole.
Cod pairs really well with it. And it’s super ebay to make – this recipe only calls for 5 ingredients.
Serve the fish over a bed of green bean casserole for a quick and healthy dinner.
Why we love this recipe: you can get it on the table in just 20 minutes.
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Lemon garlic baked cod
Make it crispy
Fried catfish
Fire up the grill
Cajun grilled salmon
Grilled portobello mushrooms
Ease your way into meatless Mondays with a massive mushroom.
Portobello mushrooms are filled with umami flavor and they have a chewy texture pretty similar to meat.
Don’t fancy this as a side? It would make an excellent starter too.
Why we love this recipe: it only takes 15 minutes to make.
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Grilled portobello mushrooms
Swap the veggie
Cauliflower steak
Make it saucy
Vegan mushroom stew
Garlic parmesan roasted sweet potatoes
Unlike usual holiday sweet potato side dishes, this recipe is more savory, thanks to the garlic, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
Psst… you can also add cayenne for a hint of heat or smoked paprika for a subtle smokey note.
Why we love this recipe: it’s easy to make and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
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Garlic parmesan roasted sweet potatoes
Make a classic
Mashed sweet potatoes
Make it decadent
Twice-baked sweet potato gratin
Sausage and herb stuffing
Beef out your usual stuffing recipe with some sausages.
As the stuffing is cooking, the bread cubes will absorb all the juices from the sausages, making sure each bite is oh-so-delicious.
Pro tip: you don’t need stale bread for stuffing, you can simple dry the fresh bread out in the oven.
Why we love this recipe: everyone will be clamoring for seconds.
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Sausage and herb stuffing
Skip the meat
Savory vegetable stuffing
Make it Southern-inspired
Cornbread stuffing
Instant pot BBQ ribs
Try something different and serve BBQ ribs with your green bean casserole.
You can have the ribs in just one hour when you use an instant pot. And if you want the classic sticky glaze, all you need to do is broil the ribs for a few minutes before plating.
Pro tip: don’t forget to remove the membrane before cooking the meat.
Why we love this recipe: it’s great if you’re feeding a lot of people.
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Easy instant pot BBQ ribs
Fire up the smoker
Smoked ribs
Make it vegan
King oyster mushroom vegan “ribs”
The best side dishes to pair with green bean casserole
- Cajun turkey
- Dutch oven pot roast
- Pumpkin dinner rolls
- Lentil loaf
- Oven fried chicken
- Shaved brussels sprouts salad with bacon and pecans
- Baked mac and cheese
- Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin
- Greek-style grilled lamb chops
- Lemon and garlic baked cod
- Grilled portobello mushrooms
- Garlic parmesan roasted sweet potatoes
- Sausage and herb stuffing
- Instant pot BBQ ribs
What To Serve With Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 portion green bean casserole
Instructions
- Prepare your green bean casserole according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: cajun turkey, dutch oven pot roast, pumpkin dinner rolls, lentil loaf, oven fried chicken, shaved brussels sprouts salad with bacon and pecans, baked mac and cheese, bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, greek-style grilled lamb chops, lemon and garlic baked cod, grilled portobello mushrooms, garlic parmesan roasted sweet potatoes, sausage and herb stuffing, and instant pot bbq ribs.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!