How to Reheat a Green Bean Casserole (the 6 Best Ways)

Learn how to reheat a green bean casserole the six best ways. We'll cover how to reheat leftover green bean casserole making it taste as good and fresh as the first time.

One of the best things about any casserole like a delicious green bean casserole is to have leftover casserole to reheat and enjoy the next day.

Southern green bean casserole in a white baking dish.

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What is a green bean casserole?

Classic green bean casserole is a holiday favorite vegetable side dish that consists of tender green beans, creamy sauce of cream of mushroom soup, milk and a crunchy onions topping of French-fried onions.

It is baked until the top is crispy and golden brown. Grandmas green bean casserole is often a favorite recipe served with other side dishes at many thanksgiving tables.

Often served as a delicious side dish at holiday dinners but really it is so delicious that it can be a main dish served with a salad for dinner.

Green bean casserole was invented by the Campbell Soup Company in 1955, with the credit given to Dorcas Reilly who was working in the company test kitchen. Thank you Dorcas!

Close up image of green bean casserole in white baking dish with spoon.

Why you want to make a green bean casserole

It is a classic dish: loved by many, considered a holiday staple dish for families to enjoy at thanksgiving dinner with turkey and cranberry sauce
Versatile dish: simple steps to customize for different variations and served at holiday season, potlucks and family dinner table
Easy and affordable: easy to make, needs just a few ingredients

Can you make a green bean casserole ahead of time and reheat?

Yes, you can make green bean casserole ahead of time and keep in the fridge for 2-3 days before cooking. Allow the dish to reach room temperature for 20-45 minutes before cooking for best results.

The best method for storing is often to freeze for up to 2 months before thawing and cooking if you need to store if for more than 3 days.

Green bean casserole with sour cream in a red and white baking dish.

Best green bean casserole recipe

We feel this is the best green bean casserole ever, Paula Deen's Southern green bean casserole!

An easy green bean casserole recipe, for a classic side dish.

Give it a try let us know if you agree!

Favorite green bean recipes

Some of our favorite green bean recipes include:

Green Bean Casserole Best Variations

Green bean casseroles can easily be customized to suit your preferences:

Fresh ingredients like fresh green beans or fresh mushrooms
Canned beans not French cut or canned corn
Canned soup or homemade version
Different toppings like tater tots, potato chips or panko bread crumbs
Different types of cheese like cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese
Spice it up with black pepper or cayenne pepper

How long can green bean casserole sit out?

As with most food ,it is recommended not to leave your creamy green bean casserole out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.

How long to cook green bean casserole

The good news is that it takes only 30 minutes reheating time for a green bean casserole to cook in the oven for you to enjoy this classic recipe.

Note: It is important to check with a food thermometer or an instant-read thermometer that the internal temperature of a casserole is 165°F for good casserole safe eating!

Close up image of sour cream green bean casserole on a spoon.

Reheat green bean casserole in the oven

The best way to reheat an your green bean casserole or reheat any entire casserole is the oven method:

Allow your casserole to sit at room temperature for 20-45 minutes
Preheat your oven to 350°F or degrees fahrenheit
Cover the oven-safe baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent overcooking of the topping
Place in oven cooking for 20 minutes
Option you can add more crispy French fried onions or cheese to the top after reheating for 20 minutes
Remove the foil cooking for another 5-10 minutes to crisp up the top
Check to see if heating through allow to cook for few minutes
Serve Immediately

Cooking times can vary depending on size or larger portions and thickness, check often to avoid overcooking.

Tip: Spray aluminum foil with cooking spray before covering the casserole to stop the foil from sticking to the casserole.

How to reheat green bean casserole in microwave

Quickest way best for smaller portions:

Using a microwave-safe bowl with lid or microwave safe plastic wrap to cover your dish for an individual or smaller portion size
Microwave on high power level for 1-2 minutes or additional minute until heated through
Allow microwave-safe dish to cool for a minute then enjoy
The crispy French onions may not be so crispy

Reheat green bean casserole in air fryer

Easy quick way for crispy top:

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
Use a heat-safe dish that fits or silcone air fryer basket for your portions
Cover dish with aluminum foil place in air fryer basket
Cook for 2-4 minutes until heated through
Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes watching closely to crips the top
Allow to cool for few minutes before serving

How to reheat green bean casserole in skillet

Convenient way if your stove is occupied:

Heat up a skillet over medium heat
Place desired amount in large skillet or saucepan
You can add some water, broth or even mushroom soup
Cook for 5-10 minutes stirring occasionally
When heated through allow to cool then serve at once

Reheat green bean casserole in slow cooker

One of best ways to help keep green beans warm, but an easy option:

Place casserole in slow cooker
Cook on a low heat for 2-3 hours stir occasionally
To help make your onion topping a crunchy topping again you can place in oven-safe dish under the oven broiler for 2-3 minutes watching closely as it will burn fast
Serve when reached your desired level of doneness

How to reheat green bean casserole in toaster oven

Easy way to reheat inidividual or small portions:

Preheat toaster oven to 350°F
Place casserole in a heat-safe dish that fits the toaster oven
Cover with foil
Cook for 4-7 minutes stirring for more even cooking
Once heated through remove foil top
Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to make top of crispy onions crunchy
Allow reheated casserole to cool and eat at once

Reheat green beans for hot holding

Keeping green bean casserole warm is essential for many gatherings. We offer our best tips to help it stay warm for a longer time.

Use a slow cooker set to a warm setting stir occasionally
Use a warming tray for a crowd
Use oven on a low temperature like 180°F, or if you are close to serving, leave oven door open after cooking with casserole still in for short time

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for reheating green bean casserole

Because it is a moist creamy casserole there should be no problems with it drying out when reheating.

If you feel it's a bit dry, you can add a tablespoon of water, chicken broth or vegetable broth and even more of your creamy mushroom sauce.

Green bean casserole can get to room temperature faster than thicker casseroles, taking 20-45 minutes instead of 30-60 minutes before cooking.

Reaching room temperature is important when reheating so that you do not get temperature shock of your dish and allow it to cook more evenly with no cold spots.

How long does green bean casserole last

Storing green bean casserole

Allow the green beans casserole to reach room temperature before storing.

If you have the room you can place the whole casserole dish directly in the fridge covered with foil or plastic wrap.

Another option is to us an airtight container both ways last 2-3 days in the fridge before reheating.

Freezing green bean casserole

A better option if you need to store it for long time is to freeze the green bean casserole.

Allow to reach room temperature, use an air-tight freezer container or ziplock freezer bags with smaller portions lasting for 2 months.

How to thaw green bean casserole

The best way to thaw a frozen green bean casserole is to leave it in the fridge overnight to thaw evenly.

In a pinch you can defrost in the microwave oven.

How to cook frozen green bean casserole

After thawing your homemade green bean casserole you can cook as detailed above in the oven method at 350°F covered in foil for 20 minutes then remove foil cooking for 5-10 more minutes to crisp the topping.

If you forget to thaw it, you remove from cold dish and put it a new room temperature oven-safe dish to help prevent temperature shock.

Cook your frozen casserole at 325° for 30-45 minutes covered in foil.

Remove foil and crisp up the top, cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes. Perfect time to add extra crispy fried onions on top is always a good idea.