The Sweet Addition That Will Change Your Green Bean Casserole Forever

There are generally two types of Thanksgiving cooks: Those who keep every dish simple and traditional, and those who give everything from the pie to the turkey an exciting new twist. You don't have to default to one or the other, though — there are ways to liven up old recipes while keeping the taste classic and comforting at heart. For instance, your favorite green bean casserole can become even better with a little brown sugar.

Loaded with mushroom soup and crispy onions, a classic green bean casserole recipe is ultra-savory and salty, which isn't a bad thing. However, the rich sweetness of brown sugar adds a welcome depth to the flavor profile without turning the beans into an overtly sugary dish — that's what the candied yam casserole is for, anyways. You'll fall for the balance of salty, creamy, and caramelized flavors at first bite.

You can use dark or light brown sugar here, with the dark type adding a stronger molasses flavor. Incorporating the sugar can be as simple as mixing about a tablespoon into the beans alongside the canned soup and other ingredients, then baking the dish as normal. This creative way to upgrade up your green bean casserole will please both traditionalists and those who would like a refreshing change. If you want a deeper note of sweetness and a beautifully browned finish, you can pre-caramelize the sugar to turn it into a glaze.

To take your green bean casserole up a notch, borrow inspiration from brown sugar glazed green beans, another popular side dish. Start by melting brown sugar in a pan with butter and flavorings like garlic powder, soy sauce, or Worcestershire, the secret ingredient that adds a kick to your green bean casserole. Melted and stirred until combined, you simply pour the glaze over your casserole before baking to infuse it with a delicious sweetness. This will also help the dish brown better in the oven, since the sugars will further caramelize under the high heat.

If you want to keep your casserole more classic, try caramelizing the brown sugar on its own first. To avoid the dreaded burnt pot, combine two parts sugar with one part water and cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely melted. You could stop here or completely caramelize the syrup by boiling it to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Poured over your green bean casserole after assembling, the dish will take on a darker, more complex sweetness that is sure to have guests begging to learn your secret.

Many recipes for brown sugar green beans also incorporate bacon. To give your casserole a meaty smokiness, fry the bacon in a pan and add the brown sugar and butter directly to the grease, stirring and combining. Then, combine the bacon and green beans, assemble the casserole, and pour the melted sugar mixture over top, or toss the bacon and beans with the glaze in the pan before putting the casserole together.