Now, I know some folks will say, “But my grandma never drained them!” And hey, if your grandma’s casserole is legendary, don’t change a thing. Family recipes are sacred. But for the rest of us mere mortals, a quick drain is a game-changer.
The only time you might skip draining is if your recipe specifically calls for no draining or uses the liquid as a thickener. Read the back of that canned soup label, too. If it says “add one can of milk,” you’re already adding liquid. Don’t double-dip into soup territory.
A Little Story From My Kitchen
Last Thanksgiving, my brother-in-law brought his “famous” green bean casserole. He forgot to drain the beans, and by the time we served it, the casserole looked like a swamp. My five-year-old nephew called it “bean soup.” Ouch.
Green Bean Casserole Recipe - Cooking Classy
I quietly slid my perfectly drained version next to the turkey, and guess what? People went for seconds on mine. Not because I’m a chef, but because I listened to the golden rule of casserole physics: less liquid = more love.
