Because of their nutty flavor and smooth texture, butter beans are often used in savory dishes such as casseroles and salads. Their versatility and great nutritional value make them an excellent choice for a healthy diet.
When looking for the finest butter bean alternatives, I recommend navy beans, cannellini beans, pinto beans, fava beans, borlotti beans, or red kidney beans since they have almost the same taste and texture as butter beans.
But that’s not all; I’ll also explain additional viable alternatives to butter beans in this post, as well as how you may use them to replace butter beans in your recipes.
Lets get started!
Contents
- What Are Butter Beans?
- Best Butter Beans Substitutes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- What beans are the same as butter beans?
- Are great northern beans the same as butter beans?
- Can I replace butter beans with black beans?
- Can you replace butter beans with cannellini beans?
- What is closest to butter beans?
- What’s a good substitute for butter beans?
- Are navy beans butter beans?
- What can I use instead of butter beans in a casserole?
- Are butter beans similar to navy beans?
- Are pinto beans the same as butter beans?
What Are Butter Beans?
Peruvian inhabitants refer to them as Lima beans, after the capital city of Peru. Other names for them include Burma bean, Madagascar bean, Rangoon bean, and Chad bean.
However, the difference between lima and butter beans is that butter beans are a larger variety of lima beans that are straight, cream, or white in color and creamy or buttery when boiled.
Despite the fact that Lima beans are a smaller, green variety known as baby limas, their composition when cooked is similar to that of fresh peas.
You may be disappointed if you can’t find these beans to use in your recipe, but don’t worry; there are other options you can use.
That being stated, here are some appropriate butter bean alternatives for your meals!
Best Butter Beans Substitutes
1. Fava Beans
These legumes are the closest substitutes for butter beans that you can find.
If you mix fava and butter beans in the same meal, you won’t be able to tell the difference.
They originate in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean, where they are also well-known ingredients. Because fava beans are as smooth as butter beans, they may be used in recipes that call for them.
Fava beans have coatings that must be removed before they may be used as a substitute. They are not only delicious, but they also offer several health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and promoting weight reduction.
2. Cannellini Beans
These huge white beans are one of the best butter bean substitutes you can think of. Although they are a mainstay of Italian cuisine, they originated in Southern Argentina before becoming popular culinary ingredients.
The names Haricot Blancs, Fagioli, and White Kidney Beans are remarkable.
Cannellini beans have a nutty flavor and a creamy texture that complements a variety of dishes, making them a versatile ingredient.
Because they have a somewhat thicker skin than other white beans, they can keep their shape when cooked. Because they have the same composition and flavor as butter beans, they go well with stews, soups, and salads.
3. Pinto Beans
Pinto beans are one of the most often used butter bean substitutes.
For thousands of years, Mexican and Peruvian farmers have grown pinto beans, which are now mostly consumed in the United States.
Traditional uses for these beans include refried beans, burritos, and chili.
When dried, pinto beans, which are named after the Spanish word for “painted,” have a distinctive brown speckled appearance.
As the beans cook, the outlines fade and the color changes to a vivid brown. Despite their distinct pulverized texture, they may be used in recipes that call for butter beans.
4. Borlotti Beans
Cranberry beans, Romano beans, and Saluggia beans are other names for these red and white speckled beans. These Colombian-born beans, which are related to kidney and pinto beans, are now cultivated yearly in Italy.
It’s a common ingredient in meals from Italy, Portugal, Turkey, and Greece.
They have a pleasant nutty taste, but with more sweetness than other white beans.
Borlotti beans are a nutritious powerhouse, with high levels of fiber, folate, and other B vitamins like iron, zinc, and potassium.
Its components also include cancer-fighting plant solvents that reduce the chance of getting cancer.
5. Red Kidney Beans
Despite their distinctive red colour, these beans are excellent butter bean alternatives. These preferences were indigenous to Peru before they became widespread.
With a culinary history spanning over 800 years, they have been used to create diverse cuisines.
Butter beans and kidney beans have the same appearance and texture, with the former having a little sweeter taste.
The lectin content of raw kidney beans is higher, making them more harmful than other bean kinds if purified properly.
You should moisten dry kidney beans and steam them for 10 minutes on high heat.
These delicious substitutes for butter beans have been a mainstay in American cookery since the mid-1800s. They were a popular element in the US Navy owing to their low cost, extended shelf life, and nutritional benefits.
As a result, they were given the appellation navy beans, although they are also known as Boston beans, Yankee beans, and pea beans.
Navy beans are good for cooking because of their delicate taste and creamy texture, but they break down quickly.
Soups may benefit from their thickening properties, however they will lose structure in salads if used. Aside from that, you receive a lot of good minerals including folate, iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium.
7. Garbanzo Beans
These butter bean alternatives may be used to make a variety of meals, including pancakes and fitters. Garbanzo beans, unlike the other beans discussed in this page, were imported from the Middle East.
These beans, sometimes known as chickpeas, play an important role in many Middle Eastern and North African dishes.
If there are no other options, garbanzo beans may be substituted for butter beans in a variety of cuisines.
Because of their substantial texture, garbanzo beans are the best option for cooking if the beans must be served whole.
In addition, instead of butter beans, garbanzo beans may be used to make bean dips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are butter beans good for losing weight?
They are, indeed. Butter beans have little calories but a lot of filling for their size, making them an excellent weight-loss snack.
Are butter beans good for me?
They are, indeed. Fiber and protein are abundant in butter beans. They also include nutrients such as iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Are butter beans good for fiber?
A 2-cup serving of butter beans provides 53% of your recommended daily allowance.Fiber is abundant in all types of beans. A 1
Do butter beans make you fart?
They do, indeed. They may also make you fart due to the amount of soluble fiber and raffinose in them.
Are butter beans high carb?
Yes. Butter beans are high in carbohydrates but low in fat.
Conclusion
When you follow the beans I’ve outlined, you won’t have to worry about running out of butter beans for your meal. Butter bean alternatives are easy to find since they all have the same velvety texture as their buddy.
However, if you want something that comes close to its taste, you could try fava beans.
Another reason these butter bean alternatives are outstanding is their increased nutritional benefits. Many of them are high in fiber and provide other nutrients that the body need.
FAQs
What beans are the same as butter beans?
It turns out that lima beans and butter beans are interchangeable. Both words are used to describe the same species, Phaseolus lunatus.
Are great northern beans the same as butter beans?
Great Northern beans have a milder flavor with a little graininess than butter beans, which have a creamy, buttery flavor with a slightly nutty taste. Great Northern beans have a somewhat gritty texture that holds up nicely in soups and stews, while butter beans have a smooth, creamy feel.
Can I replace butter beans with black beans?
Black Beans 5
The beans also provide far more bulk to your meal than alternative options. What exactly is this? To use black beans in vegan butter bean dishes, just drain and rinse them like navy or great northern beans. Then, just as with the butter beans, add them all at once.
Can you replace butter beans with cannellini beans?
Many recipes call for cannellini or borlotti beans instead of butter beans. Uses: Salads, chicken or pasta meals, soups and casseroles.
What is closest to butter beans?
Because of their comparable taste and texture, cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans and a mainstay of Italian cookery, are a great alternative for butter beans. Cannellini beans have a somewhat earthy flavor that compliments many dishes, but butter beans have a light, buttery flavor.
What’s a good substitute for butter beans?
Beans Cannellini
Cannellini beans are a wonderful replacement for butter beans since they have a mild, nutty taste and a creamy texture. They’re great for soups, pasta meals, salads, and more. It keeps its form nicely and combines well with other components due to its moderate taste.
Because of their buttery, creamy taste and starchy texture, lima beans are known as butter beans. 2. Navy Beans: Navy beans are the smallest of the white beans and have a faint ivory or white tint.
What can I use instead of butter beans in a casserole?
If you want to lower your cholesterol or cut down on fat, chickpeas, cannellini beans, great northern beans, and borlotti beans are all suitable replacements for butter beans. So, the next time you create a dish that asks for butter beans, consider one of these alternatives.
If you’re short on time, lima beans may be used in place of navy beans. Lima beans, sometimes known as butter beans, have the same buttery and sweet tastes as butter beans. When cooked, they have a smooth, velvety feel. In any meal, use lima beans in the same way you would navy beans.
Are pinto beans the same as butter beans?
Lima beans, sometimes known as butter beans due to their buttery feel and starchy consistency, are an acceptable option for pinto beans. Lima beans, which are brilliant green, are not the same as pinto beans.