8 Cannellini Bean Substitutes

8 Cannellini Bean Substitutes

The cannellini bean is one of the most popular varieties of white beans. Also known as the white kidney bean, it's commonly used in Italian cuisine to create delicious stews, soups and savory sides. That said, several types of white beans share similar qualities. So if you're cooking up a recipe that calls for cannellini beans and realize that you've run out, don't panic. We've rounded up the best cannellini bean substitute options for any recipe.

The Taste and Texture of Cannellini Beans

One of the things that makes cannellini beans so popular is their agreeable taste and texture. Fresh, dried and canned cannellini beans boast a flavor that is mild, nutty and slightly earthy. When cooked, their texture takes on a creamy and fluffy nature that works well in many dishes.

Cannellini Bean Uses

Cannellini beans are used in a wide variety of recipes and add a subtle nutty flavor to every dish. Their delicate taste makes it easy to pair these beans with sweet and savory ingredients to create great-tasting meals. Commonly used to make white bean soups and salad, cannellini beans can also be used to create bean dips, chili, refried beans and more.

Cannellini Bean Substitutes

If you plan on making a recipe that calls for cannellini beans and don't have any one hand, take a moment to check your pantry for these great cannellini bean substitutes before heading to the grocery store. white beans creamy soup

What Makes a Good Cannellini Bean Substitute

Not any bean will suffice when searching for a substitute for cannellini beans. Instead, you'll want to reach for a white bean with a similar flavor and texture. The beans that most closely resemble cannellini beans are Great Northern beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, butter beans, black beans and black-eyed peas.

Black-Eyed Peas

Like cannellini beans, black-eyed peas are a member of the legume family. They are a light cream color with a black dot in the center that resembles an eye. Black-eyed peas are believed to be native to Africa and have become a staple ingredient in many cuisines. These beans differ slightly from cannellini beans, as they have a dense and meaty consistency instead of a fluffy one. However, their mild, earthly flavor is incredibly similar. That said, black-eyed peas work well when substituted for cannellini beans in recipes like salads, soups and stews and can be substituted for cannellini beans at a 1-to-1 ratio.

Great Northern Beans

Northern beans, also known as Great Northern beans, are a type of white bean that is as similar to a cannellini bean as you can get. Slightly smaller in size, northern beans have a light taste and absorb the flavors of whatever ingredients you combine them with. They are an excellent solution for cannellini beans in all of your recipes and can be used to create soups, salads, spreads, dips and more. That said, Northern beans are a bit creamier than cannellini beans. However, the difference in texture is hardly noticeable.

Pinto Beans

pinto beans Native to Mexico and Central America, pinto beans are a staple ingredient in Latin American cuisine. Their flavor is often described as creamy, buttery and slightly earthy, making them a great substitute for cannellini beans. You can substitute pinto beans for cannellini beans at a 1-to-1 ratio in recipes like dips, chili, soups and plant-based burgers.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are snacks loved worldwide. Enjoyed fresh, cooked and dried, chickpeas offer a source of guilt-free snacking and provide significant amounts of protein and fiber in each bite. Their nutty and neutral flavor makes them an excellent substitute for any type of bean, including cannellini beans. Additionally, their creamy texture is similar to cannellini beans and works great in recipes like soups, salads, pasta, dips and more.

Navy Beans

Navy beans fall into the white bean category and are a bit smaller than cannellini beans. A common variety of beans, they're easy to find and used in several recipesmaking them an excellent ingredient to keep on hand. Navy beans have a mild, slightly nutty flavor and work well as a substitute for cannellini beans. Additionally, when cooked, navy beans produce a creamy, velvety texture that will amplify any recipe you add them to. An excellent option for chili, vegetable soups and baked bean recipes, their mild flavor works well with the taste of any dish.

Kidney Beans

red kidney beans Kidney beans are a popular type of bean that gets its name from its shape, which resembles a human kidney. Native to the Americas, kidney beans come in various colors and sizesall of which are interchangeable. When compared to cannellini beans, kidney beans are very similar in how they hold their texture when cooked. Using kidney beans as a substitute for cannellini beans is sure to create a dish similar in texture and form. However, while the texture may be the same, the flavor does differ. Kidney beans have a very different taste than cannellini beans and will not work well as a replacement for them in all recipes. Kidney beans work well with intense flavors, as they have a distinctive and meaty taste that will change the flavor of more subtle cannellini bean recipes.

Butter Beans

Butter beans, a.k.a lima beans, are white beans commonly used in the American South. Their buttery, creamy texture is the star of iconic dishes like succotash and skillet beans, and you can use them to replace cannellini beans in recipes like dips, salads and casseroles. Still, butter beans are not a perfect swap for cannellini beans in all recipes. Butter beans do not hold their shape as well as cannellini beans do, which can change the texture of soup and stew recipes. If you decide to swap cannellini beans for butter beans, use a 1-to-1 ratio.

Black Beans

Black beans are commonly referred to as turtle beans due to their rugged shell-like appearance. And, while these beans are indeed rough around the edges, they are an incredibly versatile ingredient. Popular in Latin American cuisine, black beans' mild flavor makes it easy to use them to replace cannellini beans in recipes like dips, enchiladas, plant-based burgers and more. And, like cannellini beans, they are easy to come by.

Cannellini Bean Recipes and the Best Substitutes

If you didn't have time to run to the store to buy a bag of cannellini beans, don't worry. Your favorite cannellini-based recipes can be made using one of the substitutes above. Read on to discover great-tasting cannellini bean recipes and the best substitutes for each.

Creamy Cannellini Bean Dip

Substitution: Navy Beans

Creamy Cannellini Bean Dip Cannellini beans' subtle, nutty flavor makes them the perfect ingredient when making dip. Because cannellini beans soak up the flavor of the ingredients they're mixed with, adding fresh herbs like rosemary is an excellent way to create a savory dip with a great texture. If you don't have cannellini beans on hand, follow this Creamy Cannellini Bean Dip recipe, and swap out the cannellini beans for navy beans. Though navy beans are slightly smaller, they carry the same nutty flavor and creamy texture as cannellini beans, making them ideal for homemade dip recipes.

Harvest Sweet Bean Pie

Substitution: Great Northern Beans

When most people think of pie, beans are not the first ingredient that comes to mind. Though most pies are made with sweet fruits, cooked and pureed beans make an excellent alternative to pie filling. Make this Harvest Sweet Bean Pie recipe by swapping out the cannellini beans for northern beans. The light taste of great northern beans will quickly absorb the flavor of the warm spices to create a fantastic dish with a velvety smooth texture.

Italian White Bean Stew

Substitution: Kidney Beans

When making comfort food like stew, cannellini beans are an excellent option. Famous for maintaining their shape when cooked, cannellini beans can be added to stew recipes without worrying that they will fall apart in the cooking process. Because kidney beans also hold their shape when cooked, they make an excellent substitute for cannellini beans in soups and stews. That said, kidney beans have a robust and meat-like flavor that works best in stews with strong ingredients. Substitute cannellini beans for kidney beans in recipes like this Italian White Bean Stew. In addition to being easy to make, the meat-like flavor of kidney beans will fit right in with the Italian sausage. Keep this list of eight cannellini bean substitutes on hand the next time you run out of this famous bean. Knowing how these beans compare to cannellini beans will help you determine which variety will work best in your favorite bean-based dishes. From navy beans to chickpeas, there's a bean on this list for every recipe. Eager to learn more about cannellini beans? Check out the article: What Are Cannellini Beans? for a complete overview of this popular legume. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, have a healthy and happy day!
Bob's Red Mill
September 14 2022

Comments

Bob's Red Mill Logo

Our Company

Customer Support

FAQ
Join our table

Get baking tips, exclusive offers and other things straight to your inbox.

Connect with Us
© 1978-2025 Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Supply Chain Disclosure Cookie Notice Do not sell or share my info Manage Preferences