Butter Beans vs. Cannellini Beans

Butter Beans vs. Cannellini Beans

You'll find several beans to choose from when walking the legume aisle of your favorite grocery store. And while all beans taste delicious, they vary in size, texture and flavor. Knowing the difference between the varieties on shelves can help you choose a bean that fits perfectly with your recipes. Some recipes list a specific bean to be used, while others are more vague and use terms like "white beans," allowing you to choose the variety. Several beans fall under the white bean category, two of the most popular being butter beans and cannellini beans. Though both beans can be used interchangeably in most recipes, they contain several differences. Read on to learn more about butter beans vs. cannellini beans and how they compare.

What Are Butter Beans?

Butter beans, also known as lima beans, are one of the largest white beans. Originating in South America, these beans get their name from their buttery taste and texture. Fresh butter beans are available in late summer, whereas frozen and dried butter beans are available year-round. Butter beans can be cooked at different stages of maturity. Fresh, young butter beansalso known as baby limashave a thin skin that covers a pale green bean. This skin can be removed or left as-is, depending on how you plan to use it. Mature and dried butter beans boast a much thicker, beige-colored skin. When cooked, the skin becomes tender and works well in soup and stew recipes. butter beans stew

What Do Butter Beans Taste Like?

By the name, you'd probably guess that butter beans taste like butterand you're right! Butter beans have a mild, buttery taste that mixes well with sweet and savory recipes. Plus, their smooth and creamy texture allows them to soak up the flavor of the ingredients they're cooked with, making them even more delicious. When cooking with fresh butter beans vs. dry butter beans, you may notice fresh beans have a subtle grassy flavor.

What Are Cannellini Beans?

Cannellini beans are a type of white bean that originates from Central and Southern Italy. Like navy beans and great northern beans, cannellini beans are larger and have a distinct kidney-like shape. When cooked, the cannellini bean holds its shape well, making it the perfect addition to soup, stew and chili recipes.

What Do Cannellini Beans Taste Like?

While cannellini beans may lack color, their flavor makes up for it. When cooked, these beans have a fluffy texture and slightly nutty flavor that taste great in all dishes. A popular ingredient in Tuscany, cannellini beans are a staple in Italian cuisine and commonly paired with fish or chicken. cannelini beans

Butter Beans vs. Cannellini Beans

Curious to see how these two ingredients stack up to one another? Overflowing with nutritional benefits, butter beans and cannellini beans are great for you. Read on to discover more about their similarities and differences.

Protein

If you're looking for easy ways to add more protein to your diet, then you've likely heard of protein shakes and bars. While these snacks are a great way to pack a lot of protein into a small package, they are not the only way to meet your daily nutrient requirements. For example, beans are loaded with protein, and adding them to your meals is a great way to boost your intake. When compared, one serving of cannellini beans has slightly higher amounts of protein than butter beans. That said, both are quality plant-based sources of this nutrient.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are essential to a well-balanced diet, and consuming enough can help ensure your energy levels remain steady throughout the day. However, beans are not always the best option if you're following a low-carb diet. All types of beans contain carbohydrates, including butter and cannellini beans. What's more, these two beans have nearly identical amounts. In one serving of cannellini beans, you'll find 31 grams of carbohydratesan amount similar to that found in butter beans.

Fiber

Fiber is an essential nutrient that's found in vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fruits. Two fiber types are vital to a well-balanced dietsoluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber works to add bulk to the stool, promoting regularity and preventing constipation. Soluble fiber absorbs water and creates a gel-like substance in the digestive tract, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and keep your gut biome healthy and happy. Both butter beans and cannellini beans are excellent sources of fiber. You'll find 10 grams of dietary fiber in just one serving of butter beansnearly 36% of your required daily intake. And while butter beans are a great source of fiber, cannellini beans are an even better source providing 12 grams of fiber per serving.

Butter Bean Recipes

ensalada de quinoa Are you ready to test your cooking skills by adding a new ingredient, like butter beans, to the menu? Loaded with nutritional benefits, butter beans can be used in all sorts of recipes to create great-tasting meals. Try out one of the butter bean recipes below, and let us know what you think.

Ensalada de Quinoa

Salads make for a great appetizer or meal, and while we love a salad full of leafy greens, sometimes we crave something a little more filling. Quinoa is an excellent base for a grain-based salad, and it's even better when combined with butter beans. This Ensalada de Quinoa is based on a traditional Peruvian dish that's both delicious and beautiful. It's loaded with healthy and hearty ingredients like Red Quinoa, lima beans and yellow corn and combines lime juice, cilantro and cheese for a boost of flavor. Enjoy it as a light lunch or a flavorful dinner side dish. No matter when you choose to enjoy this salad, it's sure to satisfy your cravings.

Summer Quinoa Succotash Salad

If you're a fan of grain-based salads and looking to try out a new flavor combination, then this Summer Quinoa Succotash Salad is sure to be a hit. A traditional American side dish, it's made with fresh corn, lima beans and organic quinoa. Serve it warm or at room temperature, and watch as the compliments roll in. The colorful ingredients that make up this meal will make it the star of your next gathering.

Cannellini Beans Recipes

Now that you know a little more about cannellini beans and their many benefits, you're likely eager to begin cooking with them. Here at Bob's Red Mill, we love cannellini bean recipes and have made quite a few. To help you get started on your cannellini bean cooking journey, we've rounded up some of our favorites.

Cannellini Herb Dip

Cannellini Herb Dip Homemade dip is the perfect way to surprise guests with your cooking skills. Though many dips look and taste extravagant, they can easily be made with the ingredients you have on hand. Take this Cannellini Herb Dip, for example. Made with a handful of tasty ingredients like fresh rosemary, cannellini beans and chopped parsley, it is the perfect accompaniment for veggies, crackers, or as a sandwich spread. Serve it as an appetizer on game day, pack it as a healthy snack in your kid's lunch box, or enjoy it with a slice of homemade flatbread.

Harvest Sweet Bean Pie

When cooking with beans, pie is one of the last things you'd think to make. While beans might not sound like the best dessert ingredient, cannellini beans make an excellent creamy pie base and can be used in recipes like this Harvest Sweet Bean Pie. In this pie, cooked and pureed beans are seasoned with warm spices to create a great-tasting pie filling with a velvety smooth texture. Naturally gluten free, high fiber and soy free is a delicious dessert recipe everyone can enjoy.

Italian White Bean Stew

Not sure what to do with the beans in your pantry? Making a rich and nutritious stew is always an option. Beans are famous for being an excellent stew ingredient, and when following a classic recipe like this Italian White Bean Stew, you can't go wrong. Overflowing with flavor, this stew is made with unique ingredients like lacinato kale, cannellini beans, red pepper flakes and Italian sausage. Enjoy it as is, or pair it with a fresh loaf of homemade bread for the perfect comfort food. If you are following a recipe that calls for white beans and are unsure which to use, butter beans and cannellini beans make an excellent choice. While they have subtle differences, these two beans can be used interchangeably in most recipes without drastically changing the flavor or texture. From the Bob's Red Mill family to yours, happy cooking! New to cooking cannellini beans? Check out our article: How to Cook Cannellini Beans, for a step-by-step guide. Do you enjoy cooking with white beans? Wed love to hear about the fantastic recipes that you create. Share your favorite butter bean and cannellini bean recipes with us in the comments below.
Bob's Red Mill
September 10 2022

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