National Green Bean Casserole Day

National Green Bean Casserole Day is celebrated each year on December 3 — a day to honor a much-loved American comfort food and its place in holiday tables.

History of National Green Bean Casserole Day

The iconic dish behind this holiday — Green Bean Casserole — was invented in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, who worked in the home-economics department of Campbell Soup Company. The idea was to create a simple, affordable side dish using ingredients most households already had — green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crunchy fried onions.

The recipe originally went by “Green Bean Bake,” but after the company printed it on soup cans in the 1960s, it gradually became a staple at holiday meals, especially at Thanksgiving dinners across the United States.

The holiday itself — National Green Bean Casserole Day — was later created by writer Jace Shoemaker-Galloway as a fun way to celebrate the dish’s enduring popularity and comfort-food status.

Why National Green Bean Casserole Day is important

Green Bean Casserole is more than just a side dish — it’s a nostalgic comfort food that many families associate with holidays, gatherings, and warmth. It reminds people how simple ingredients, when combined with care, can bring joy, memories, and a sense of home.

The day offers a lighthearted opportunity to appreciate culinary tradition, to reconnect with family rituals, and to celebrate dishes that bring people together — even across generations. In a fast-paced world, sometimes a familiar casserole evokes more connection than a fancy meal. It also honours resourcefulness: the original recipe was developed so common households could enjoy tasty meals without much effort or expense.

• It celebrates a dish loved by many across generations.
• It highlights comfort-food tradition and nostalgia.
• It encourages home cooking and simple, accessible meals.
• It brings people together around the table — family, friends, or neighbours.
• It honours the creativity and history behind a humble but iconic recipe.

How to Celebrate National Green Bean Casserole Day

Celebrate by cooking your own green bean casserole — whether you follow the original 1955 recipe or try a new variation. It’s a perfect excuse to gather with family or friends and enjoy a cozy, comforting meal.

If you want to make it special, try a “green bean casserole potluck”: invite friends or family members to prepare their own versions (classic, gourmet, vegetarian, or even vegan) and share the results. It’s a fun and delicious way to bring people together and maybe discover a new favourite twist.

Simple ways to observe:

• Cook your own green bean casserole at home from scratch.
• Invite friends or family over and share the dish together.
• Try a new variation: fresh beans, homemade mushroom sauce, crunchy toppings.
• Turn it into a potluck inviting others to bring their own versions.
• Share your meal stories or photos, and celebrate the tradition and comfort the dish brings.

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked green beans (fresh or canned)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup crispy fried onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix soup, milk, salt, pepper, and green beans.
3. Stir in half of the fried onions.
4. Pour into a baking dish.
5. Bake 25 minutes.
6. Top with remaining onions and bake 5 more minutes until golden.

National Green Bean Casserole Day Dates Table