# Do you usually have green bean casserole at your Thanksgiving dinner? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 28, 2015, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885 "2015-11-28T23:12:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/61 "2015-11-29T19:57:21Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > I didn’t expect the poll answers to be so close. Which way did you think it would go? ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/62 "2015-11-29T20:03:06Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > The turkey is meat. The casserole had dairy. Same meal. > > Oy. > > 🙂 I’m still not positive that Campbell’s cream of whatever soup actually contains anything that is technically dairy. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/63 "2015-11-29T20:09:04Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I’m still not positive that Campbell’s cream of whatever soup actually contains anything that is technically dairy. While I can completely understand your skepticism, cream is listed on the ingredient list. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/64 "2015-11-29T20:13:05Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Nope… it is a very complex recipe brought to you by the same people who brought you orange Jello with pineapple chunks suspended in it. > > Take some green beans… canned, or if you are a hippy, maybe frozen. I don’t know that it has ever been attempted with fresh. Add a can of Campbell’s Cream of Something Soup and top with some French’s Fried Onions. > > As awful as it sounds (and probably is) it is tradition and I wouldn’t miss it at Thanksgiving for anything. No, no–I know how it’s made. Like I said, I’ve had it before (and may have actually participated in the making thereof on one Christmas dinner. I’m not admitting to anything. I can’t remember if canned or frozen beans were used.) I just thought you meant there were beans marked “casserole.” (And I use cream of mushroom soup (or others), aka “Lutheran glue” when I’m in that Upper Midwest casserole/don’t-feel-like-spending-all-day cooking kind of mood.) ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/65 "2015-11-29T20:17:31Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > While I can completely understand your skepticism, cream is listed on the ingredient list. Do you believe everything these big corporations say? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/66 "2015-11-29T20:46:55Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Do you believe everything these big corporations say? > > 🙂 Yeah, it can’t be that much, there’s hardly any calories in it. A whole 10.5 oz can of condensed cream of mushroom soup is only 150 calories (or the equivalent of three tablespoons of whipping cream, and there’s obviously other stuff in there contributing calories). I use it (or other condensed “cream of” soups) sometimes when I want a faux creaminess in a dish without all the calories. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/67 "2015-11-29T21:14:50Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Do you believe everything these big corporations say? > > 🙂 That’s true- I feel like I’ve been duped by Big Soup. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/68 "2015-11-29T21:58:24Z")
I would have said, “almost always” because I honestly don’t know if it’s been at the Thanksgiving table every year. Especially because my Thanksgivings have been split among several different families: my parents’ when I was growing up, alternating between my mother and stepfather’s and my father and stepmother’s, and some friends of my father and stepmom’s, during my adult single years, and tossing in my in-laws into the rotation during my married life. So somewhere along the way, I’m sure it’s been absent from the table sometime, but it’s almost always there. Anyway, I went with ‘always’ because that seemed closer to the truth than ‘more often than not.’ I’ll be back with my grandmother’s recipe later. Hadn’t had it in a few years, but when my wife made it this year, it was so good, we were having it for breakfast later in the weekend. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/69 "2015-11-29T21:59:54Z")
> [@Arkcon](#): > > Nope. Like ChefGuy: said, I don’t even understand what’s\*\*\* in\*\*\* green bean casserole. We do try to have plain french beans, with olive oil, vinegar and garlic. Why did you leave out the fresh ginger, soy and crisp bacon bits? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/70 "2015-11-29T23:51:15Z")
> [@piepiepie](#): > > Haha! > > My mom actually likes the shit, but we never had it every year growing up and I refuse to make it now. We can’t help her bad taste and I tell her if she wants to eat that sadness she can make it herself. Plus, it’s probably worse for you than the greens we have so what’s the point? Hell, my oldest brother married a white woman, and while she bought them canned yams (strike one) that weren’t even Bruce’s or Glory (strike two), she is not about green bean casserole. > > The greens I made for our Thanksgiving this year were on point. Mostly kale with some collards for extra bulk/texture, with onions and ham hocks (because we are not a neck bone family no matter how hard my older brother tries). That pot liquor was marvelous when it soaked into my mac and cheese. You can’t get pot liquor with green bean casserole, so why even have it? :sniff: I thought I was okay with skipping Thanksgiving this year, but now you’ve made me realize I’ve been lying to myself. Can you make me a plate of leftovers and PM them to me? THANKS!! ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/71 "2015-11-29T23:56:38Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Which way did you think it would go? I thought there would be a clear winner…either everyone loving it or hating it, but it’s pretty much even in every category. Almost the same amount always have it as those who never do, just like those who used to but don’t anymore is almost the same as those who never did but do now and those who sometimes, but more often/sometimes, but not as often. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/72 "2015-11-29T23:59:57Z")
We have it more often than not but very few people like it and most of it goes to waste. I actually like it but again, only a few people at our dinner eat it. ---
**Author:** ![piepiepie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/73 "2015-11-30T00:33:03Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > :sniff: > > I thought I was okay with skipping Thanksgiving this year, but now you’ve made me realize I’ve been lying to myself. Can you make me a plate of leftovers and PM them to me? THANKS!! There’s always that one person who shows up late then takes home a plate… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/74 "2015-11-30T00:53:02Z")
It always kind of shows up at thanksgiving, someone must like it. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/75 "2015-11-30T01:55:48Z")
I had two Thanksgiving dinners this year. At the first one, there was something that was called “green bean casserole”, but it was clearly quite different from the typical can-of-soup version, and I’m not sure if it was even a casserole at all. At the second, we had green beans completely unadorned (and well worth it-- Apparently Costco has some trick for freezing green beans that leaves them tasting like they were picked that day). ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/76 "2015-11-30T15:02:12Z")
With my being from the other side of the Atlantic – it’s presumptuous of me, possibly, to chip in; but I’ll risk it. I’d never heard of this dish before, in the last few years, making the acquaintance of several essentially US-based message boards. I’m not a fan of green beans (don’t loathe them, just am definitely on the un-keen side), which maybe doesn’t help – but from first hearing about this thing, the whole idea (essentially, green beans heated up in mushroom soup, yes?) has struck me as strange – and likely to be, for me, revolting if tried. And I notice that there are a fair number of American posters in this thread, who are strongly anti-the stuff. I don’t completely rule out being pleasantly surprised if I were to try GBC; but confess to no great eagerness to try it, or to attempt to make it myself. Being a “Thanksgiving-less” foreigner, I reckon myself ineligible to vote in the poll. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/77 "2015-11-30T15:23:58Z")
Like most traditional Thanksgiving dishes (including the turkey), it got its start as being something reasonably tasty that’s still cheap and easy to make for a large number of people. Nobody would claim that it’s fine gourmet dining or anything like that, but it hits all the right notes to be “comfort food”. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/78 "2015-11-30T15:25:00Z")
I think a lot of people like GBC because it was part of their Thanksgiving tradition, if you grew up with it, you need it to be on the table for it to be Thanksgiving. Everyone has something like that for their family holidays. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/79 "2015-11-30T15:35:17Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > All these people who claim they have never had it… in the frozen foods section, there are three types of green beans… plain, with almonds, and casserole. 1. We never buy frozen foods over here. Ever. The freezer compartment in our fridge is not that great, but buying ready meals is so cheap, you’d really have to love to cook to justify it, and we don’t love to cook. 2. Even in the US, I rarely bought frozen foods, because that would entail some form of cooking. 3. I don’t like green beans enough actually to buy them, so I would not have noticed a casserole. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885/80 "2015-11-30T15:46:41Z")
> [@Sangahyando](#): > > (essentially, green beans heated up in mushroom soup, yes?) No, it’s worse than that. It’s green beans heated up in \*condensed \*cream of mushroom soup. 😃 The ratio varies, but there’s usually enough green beans that you can still see green; the glop just sort of holds it together. It sounds better in French, non?: Haricots verts à la béchamel aux champignons. We’re just too lazy to make the béchamel from scratch when we’re making a dozen other dishes for the same meal. The condensed cream of mushroom gives something like a béchamel, and it has the mushrooms in it already. If you make it from scratch, it’s almost classy: [http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/best-ever-green-bean-casserole-recipe.html](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/best-ever-green-bean-casserole-recipe.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-have-green-bean-casserole-at-your-thanksgiving-dinner/738885.md?page=5)