Traditional Green Bean Casserole (On the Smoker)

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This Traditional Green Bean Casserole is cooked on the smoker for an extra layer of rich, savory flavor. Tender French-style green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions come together in this timeless holiday side dish.

Southern Comfort at Its Finest

At Backyard Texas Grill, we believe the holidays are all about bringing people together around simple, comforting dishes made with love. This green bean casserole has been a staple at Texas tables for generations. Don’t you dare skip it when you’re making Thanksgiving plans, friends, or you’re sure to hear about it!

We love it in the oven, but we’re partial to making it on the smoker. Cooking it up that way adds just enough depth to make it unforgettable. And let’s face it, when you make it in the oven folks rarely say, “Wow! That green bean casserole was the star of the show!”

Now they will. With step-by-step instructions, easy ingredients, and home-tested technique, this recipe comes straight from our family kitchen (and smoker!) to yours. And it’s guaranteed to be a show-stopper at your holiday meal.

At a Glance

• Skill Level: Easy
• Flavor Profile: Creamy, savory, lightly smoky
• Options Included: Oven instructions, seasoning upgrades
• Best For: Thanksgiving, Christmas, potlucks, weeknight dinners

Green Bean Casserole Ingredients

You’re going to find a printable recipe card for this delicious Thansgiving staple at the bottom of the post, as always, but we wanted to give you a peek at what you’ll need.

• Three (16 oz.) bags frozen French-style green beans
• Two (10.5 oz.) cans cream of mushroom soup
• 12 oz. whole milk
• One (6 oz.) can French fried onions
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper

How to Make Traditional Green Bean Casserole (On the Smoker)

Step One: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your smoker to 350°F.

On the stovetop, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the frozen French-style green beans and cook until soft, about 15 minutes.

Strain well and return to the pot. Remove as much moisture as possible — pat with paper towels if needed. This helps prevent a watery casserole.

Step Two: Season the Beans

Add the salt and pepper to the green beans and stir until evenly coated.

Step Three: Mix the Sauce

In a large bowl, combine:

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Whole milk

Mix until smooth and fully combined.

Pour the green beans into the soup mixture and stir well.

Step Four: Add Onions

Stir in 1/3 of the French fried onions.

Step Five: Assemble and Smoke

Pour the mixture into a baking dish.

Place the baking dish onto the smoker, close the lid, and cook for 20 minutes.

Open the lid, stir the casserole, and smooth out the top.

Step Six: Add Topping

Sprinkle the remaining fried onions over the top.

Close the lid and smoke for an additional 10 minutes, or until the onion topping is lightly browned and crisp.

Step Seven: Rest and Serve

Remove the casserole from the smoker and let it sit 5–10 minutes before serving.

Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

You don’t have to be from the south to love green bean casserole. It’s truly one of the most comforting dishes around, and not just at Thanksgiving or Christmas. We love it because it’s:

• A true classic that fits right in with any holiday table
• Smoker-friendly twist that adds subtle depth without overpowering
• Easy ingredients you probably already have
• Perfect make-ahead side for big family meals

Variations

It’s always fun to think of new ways to mix things up. Here are some fun ideas we might try next time around.

• Oven Instructions: Bake at 350° for 25 minutes, stir, add onions, and bake 10 more minutes.
• Add Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter and stir them into the mixture.
• Cheesy Version: Add 1 cup shredded cheddar before baking.

That’s it for this post, friends. Enjoy this southern comfort food. If you make this recipe and love it (what’s not to love?) please leave a review. And before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

About the Pitmaster

Zach Morrow is the fire-tender and flavor-master behind Backyard Texas Grill. When he’s not running the smoker or testing new recipes with Randi, he’s inspiring home cooks everywhere to bring big Texas flavor to simple, family-centered meals. From cast iron desserts to slow-smoked meats, every dish is crafted with heart — and a little backyard swagger.