Green beans
There are several ways to put a spin on the classic green bean casserole. Volunteers are pictured removing the ends of green beans as they participate in the annual Everything But The Turkey event on Nov. 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Even though Thanksgiving is one of the most popular food-themed holidays celebrated across the US, it doesn’t mean you have to serve the same exact meal each year. Green bean casserole has become a favorite side dish that often lands on most dinner menus, but it is easy to grow tired of following the same old recipe on Turkey day.

The Thanksgiving staple was first invented by Dorcas Reilly in 1955 while she was a Campbell Soup kitchen supervisor. The recipe was initially created for an Associated Press feature but became an instant hit with families across the nation.

Although some people aren’t fans of straying from tradition, there are several quick and easy recipes for those who are eager to spice up the classic green bean casserole for Thanksgiving.

1. Green Bean Poutine: Put a Canadian twist on your green bean casserole by adding a few untraditional ingredients to the American side dish. In Canada, poutine is a popular food that is made by topping french fries with gravy and cheese. This recipe by The Chew uses green beans in place of the fries and adds ingredients like sherry, white cheese curds and sage to create a unique taste.

2. Vegan Green Bean Casserole: Impress the vegans at your dinner table by making this easy casserole recipe. In just 30 minutes you can use ingredients like shallot, garlic and mushrooms to create vibrant flavors that will appeal to every guest at your Thanksgiving feast. Although it’s not freezer friendly, you can enjoy the leftovers for up to four days after serving.

3. Best Green Bean Casserole: AllRecipes came up with a simple way to whip up the popular side dish in 25 minutes. The dish calls for green beans, cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup and a can of french fried onions. Just make sure you stick to canned green beans and avoid adding in frozen veggies. The combination may result in a less than stellar taste for what should be a delicious dish.

4. Cranberry Pecan Green Bean Casserole: Put a sweet spin on your green bean casserole by adding dried cranberries and pecans to your holiday meal. This recipe by Real Housemoms can be made in under 50 minutes and can be prepped days ahead of Thanksgiving. Simply construct the meal by following the recipe but pop it into the fridge instead of the oven. When you’re ready to complete the dish, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 30 minutes.

5. Smothered Bacon Green Bean Casserole: Does everything really taste better with bacon? According to the folks at Fresh Family Meals, this easy casserole will be the most popular side dish at your dinner table. This recipe allows you to save prep time by using canned green beans that won’t compromise the taste of your meal. Although some foodies were worried about the soy sauce and brown sugar combination, those who were brave enough to try out the recipe praised the sweet and salty mixture for creating a balanced taste.

Green beans
Celebrate Thanksgiving by adding a green bean casserole to your menu. Green beans offered for sale are pictured on June 27, 2008 at Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images