Fava beans have been around for thousands of years, and while it's hard to pinpoint precisely where fava beans started, Experts have been able to trace their history back to at least 6,000 BC. Today fava beans are a popular ingredient in European, Middle Eastern, South American and African cuisine. Fava beans grow in fuzzy green pods and can be enjoyed fresh, cooked and dried. While fava beans are used in dozens of dishes, they are most commonly used to create soups, stews and salads.
Fava Bean's Taste
Fava beans look a lot like lima beans and determining which is which can be confusing. Though fava beans and lima beans make an excellent substitute for one another, they have slightly different tastes. Fava beans are less starchy and have a light, buttery, and slightly sweet flavor. When cooked, some individuals notice a bitterness to fava beans that is easily offset when combined with strong-flavored ingredients.
Fava Bean Substitutes
When following any recipe, you want to try to ensure that you use the ingredients listed. That said, some ingredients, like beans, are easy to substitute for one another. So if you're following a recipe that calls for fava beans and don't have any on hand, don't stress. There are several beans that you can substitute to ensure that your recipe still turns out great. Keep scrolling for a list of fava bean substitutes that you can use to recreate any bean-based dish without sacrificing the flavor.
Lima Beans
We mentioned that fava beans and lima beans look a lot alike. But did you know that their texture and flavor are similar as well? Classified as butter beans, fava beans and lima beans take on a silky and creamy texture when cooked. While lima beans are slightly more starchy than fava beans, they are an extremely close substitute and often much easier to find. And, because lima beans and fava beans are cooked the same way, it makes substituting one for another even easier.
Edamame
Edamame is another bean that looks and tastes similar to fava beans. While edamame is often used as an appetizer, it can also be mixed into dishes like rice, salad and soup. Edamame features a similar buttery taste compared to fava beans, making it an excellent substitute. Edamame is also cooked similarly to fava beans in that it must be boiled and shelled before being added to recipes like soups and stews.
Cannellini Beans
Cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans, are another great substitute for fava beans. While they look very different, their taste is comparable. Cannellini beans have a soft, creamy texture and light, sweet flavor. Though they can be found in canned and dried varieties, the dried option will often provide the best results when substituting cannellini beans for fava beans. That said, the taste of cannellini beans is much milder than fava beans, and they look pretty different. Therefore, cannellini beans should not be used as a substitute for fava beans in dishes where their flavor and bright green color are needed.
Green Peas
Green peas are tiny green seeds from a pod, just like fava beans. Their similar color makes them a great substitute in dishes where the bright green shade of fava beans would be missed. That said, green peas have a milder flavor and softer texture than fava beans. Therefore, when substituting fava beans for green peas, you want to cook them for less time to ensure that they are not mushy when you add them to dishes like soups, rice and stew.
Kidney Beans
When comparing kidney beans and fava beans, you might wonder how these two beans could be a substitute for one another. Fava beans are round and bright green, whereas kidney beans are red and kidney-shaped. However, despite their differences, these beans make a delicious addition to soups and stews because they absorb the broth's flavor. When used in those contexts, kidney beans are an excellent substitute for fava beans and come in dried and canned varieties.While there are several beans that you can use as a fava bean substitute, knowing which to choose ultimately depends on the dish that you are cooking. Certain beans like kidney beans and peas taste best in soups, while other beans like lima beans and cannellini beans are better options when making dips and spreads. So, the next time you need a substitute for fava beans, scroll through the list above and choose one that fits best with the recipe you're following. We're confident you'll choose a bean that will taste great. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you the best on your cooking journey!