Red Bean vs. Mung Bean

Red Bean vs. Mung Bean

You'll find thousands of recipes and varieties of beans online, including red beans, white beans and black beans. And, If you're us, you've likely filled your pantry with a little bit of each. Now, if you're planning your next meal and wondering which bean to choose, we have you covered. Knowing the difference between the many beans on shelves is the key to creating a delicious bean-based recipe, and two types of beans that are often compared are red beans and mung beans. To help you figure out which of the two you should use to make your next meal, we've created a guide outlining their similarities and differences. Read on to learn more about these two beans' taste, texture and benefits.

What Are Red Beans?

Like white beans, there are several different types of red beans. However, the bean that is most commonly referred to as a red bean is the Adzuki bean. Adzuki beans have many different names. Also known as azuki beans, aduki beans and red mung beans, they are small legumes with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. Popular in Asian cuisine, adzuki beans are often used to create red bean paste that is loaded with nutritional benefits. These beans are high in fiber, potassium, magnesium, folate, B vitamins and other nutrients.

How to Use Red Beans

While adzuki beans are commonly used in Asian cuisine, it's not the only place you'll find them. You can use these beans in everything from salad to soup as a versatile and tasty ingredient. A few of the many uses of adzuki beans include:

Vegetarian Chili

Instant Pot Chili Adzuki beans are used in various vegan and vegetarian dishes, one of the most popular being chili. In chilis like this Instant Pot Chili, adzuki beans are often cooked with garlic, peppers, chili powder and other spices like cumin to make a filling, comforting and flavorful meal.

Red Bean Soups and Stews

Red beans taste incredible when added to a soup or stew recipe. Their naturally sweet and nutty flavor pairs well with other common soup ingredients like vegetables, sweet potatoes and onions. Making a soup like this Sweet Potato and Adzuki Bean Soup is a simple way to add more nutritious ingredients to your weekly menu. Plus, because it's made in a multi-cooker, it's easy to cook and clean up.

Red Bean Desserts

Adzuki beans' sweet flavor and creamy texture make them the perfect addition to dessert recipes like this Marbled Red Bean Cake. It's made from several ingredients, like sweet rice flour, eggs and milk. However, the bean puree is what sets this dish apart from the rest. The adzuki beans add a firm texture and rich nutty flavor to this dessert and create a magical swirl throughout the batter, giving it a quintessential look

What Are Mung Beans?

Mung beans are a type of small green legume that is popularly used in Chinese cuisine. Mung beans can be eaten raw, cooked, or sprouted. When sprouted, they're commonly referred to as bean sprouts. Unlike other beans, mung beans are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach.

How to Use Mung Beans

Cooked mung beans taste great when combined with spices and seasonings and are often served in soups and casseroles. Because mung beans cook quickly, monitoring them during the cooking process is vital to ensure they do not overcook. Here are a few of the many ways that we enjoy cooking with mung beans.

Mung Bean Dip

Mung Bean Dip Mung beans' mild flavor makes them the perfect base for all your favorite dip recipes. To create a tasty treat that tastes similar to hummus, combine mung beans with a handful of other ingredients like lime and garlic. Serve Mung Bean Dip paired with fresh veggies and chips on game day, and use the leftovers as a sandwich spread throughout the week.

Monggo Bean Stew

Mung beans' small size and slightly nutty flavor work wonderfully when added to soups and stews. For a stew that you'll find yourself making over and over again, try out this Monggo Bean Stew. A unique take on traditional mung bean stew, it's a recipe that the entire family will enjoy.

Mung Bean Sprouts

Skip the process of cooking mung beans, and sprout them instead. Mung beans are easy to germinate at home and make an excellent addition to your favorite salad, soup and stir-fry recipes. To make Mung Bean Sprouts at home, purchase a bag of dried beans and follow this step-by-step process.

Red Bean vs. Mung Bean

If you're considering using red beans and mung beans in your recipes, then you're probably curious to know how they differ. Here's a quick side-by-side comparison of these two beans to better determine how they fit into your diet. Adzuki beans

Appearance

One of the easiest ways to tell these two beans apart is by looking at them. Adzuki beans are small, red and bean-shaped. On the other hand, mung beans are green and round, resembling tiny peas.

Taste

When choosing between red beans and mung beans, you'll notice that these two beans taste different compared to other varieties. Red beans, aka adzuki beans, have a sweet, nutty flavor. They are a staple in Chinese and Japanese cuisine and are often featured in dessert recipes. In addition, Adzuki beans are used to make soups, stews and curries. Mung beans can be eaten in raw, cooked and sprouted form. And each type of mung bean tastes different. When cooked, mung beans have a sweet and earthy flavor that shines in Asian dishes and desserts.

Texture

When comparing texture, cooked adzuki beans and mung beans share many similarities. Both beans have a tender texture that tastes great in soups, salads and stews when cooked to perfection. adzuki bean porridge and Rice cake

Red Bean vs. Mung Bean Nutritional Value Comparison

Mung beans and red beans are loaded with nutrition. However, the nutrients in them do vary. Red beans contain about 25% more calories than mung beans, most of which are from carbohydrates. This being so, mung beans are the better choice if you are following a low-carb diet. On the other hand, mung beans contain more sugar (two grams) which explains their naturally sweet flavor and use in desserts. And, if you're following a vegan or vegetarian diet, mung beans and adzuki beans are quality sources of plant-based protein and a simple way to boost your protein intake. That said, adzukis beans contain slightly more protein than mung beans.

Vitamins and Minerals

Adzukis beans and mung beans are overflowing with vitamins and minerals. However, adzuki beans contain more nutrients overall. In adzuki beans you can expect to find more manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Mung beans do contain more folate.

Red Bean vs. Mung Bean: Overview

If you are thinking about adding beans to your next recipes and want to know the main differences between these two beans, look no further. Here's a quick breakdown of red bean vs. mung bean.

Similarities

Mung beans and red beans share a similar size and taste and can be used interchangeably in several recipes. They also share a similar vitamin and mineral content. mung beans

Differences

While both beans are great for you, they have several nutritional differences. When comparing the nutritional information for each, here's what to look for:
  • Mung Beans have fewer calories
  • Adzuki beans contain more protein
  • Adzuki beans contain more minerals
As you can see from the information above, the differences between red bean vs. mung bean are slight, and adding either of these beans to your recipe will surely benefit your health. That said, if you're searching for a particular nutrient, you may prioritize one bean over the other. Now that you know more about mung beans and red beans, it's time to add them to your diet. Whether it's your first time cooking with beans or you are simply trying out a new variety, there are hundreds of delicious recipes to choose from. Visit our online recipe book for dozens of great-tasting bean-based dishes like this Classic 13 Bean Soup and Marbled Red Bean Cake. We're confident that whatever you choose to create will taste delicious. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a healthy and happy day! If you'd like to learn more about mung beans, we have plenty of resources. Discover the different ways to cook mung beans by reading our guide: How to Cook Mung Beans. Or, dive deeper into the flavor profile of mung beans and check out the article: What Do Mung Beans Taste Like? Do you have a preference for mung beans or red beans? We'd love to hear why you chose one bean over another. Share your favorite bean-based recipes with us in the comments below. We can't wait to hear from you.
Bob's Red Mill
September 15 2022

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