What Are Cannellini Beans?

What Are Cannellini Beans?

No matter where you travel, you'll find that beans are a staple of many cuisines. They are easy to cook with, making them a long-time favorite of at-home chefs. In addition, their excellent flavor and texture can be used to complement various dishes. One of the reasons beans are so popular is that there are dozens of different kinds of them. Exotic beans like adzuki beans are used to create dishes like Marbled Red Bean Cake. At the same time, traditional black beans can make everything from Tortilla Soup to Quinoa Salad. And some beans, like cannellini beans, can be used to create both dessert and dinner time dishes, making them an excellent bean to keep on hand. If you're searching for a bean that can do it all, then we're confident you will enjoy cooking with cannellini beans. Read on to learn more about this bean's history, uses and traits before you begin to cook with it.

What Is a Cannellini Bean?

What are cannellini beans? Cannellini beans are a popular bean, often found in Italian cuisine. They're a great bean to use in stews, soups and salads. And their creamy texture makes it easy to transform this legume into a dip or spread. When searching for cannellini beans, you'll notice that they are sometimes labeled as white kidney beans and fasolia beans. Cannellini beans are also regularly mistaken for white navy beans and great northern beans, as they share nearly identical appearances.

The History of Cannellini Beans

Though Italy is to credit for the cannellini bean's claim to fame, this bean originated in Argentina, where it was first cultivated as a crop. Later, Italian immigrants brought the cannellini bean back to Italy, where it became a staple in Italian cooking. Now, cannellini beans are grown in central and Southern Italy, used in several traditional Italian dishes and enjoyed worldwide. cannelini beans

Cannellini Bean Features

Cannellini beans are a unique variety of beans with many benefits. That said, they look very similar to other white beans and knowing which is which can be confusing. Learn to spot a cannellini bean from the rest of the legumes by reviewing its features below.

Cannellini Bean Appearance

One way to spot a cannellini bean is its shape. Cannellini beans feature a famous kidney shape with squared ends. In addition, they are a light, creamy white color and produce a fluffy texture when cooked.

Cannellini Bean Taste

When comparing the taste of cannellini beans with other white beans, cannellini beans tend to have a more nutty and earthy flavor. This great taste and tender flesh make them easy to use in all recipes, from chili to salad. Additionally, because cannellini beans hold their shape better than most beans, they are the perfect addition to soups and stews.

Cannellini Bean Uses

All types of beans can be used in similar ways, and most white beans can be substituted for one another at a 1-to-1 ratio. Still, cannellini beans' taste and texture make them a favorite amongst home cooks, and you'll find them on the ingredients list of many recipes. Dried, fresh and canned cannellini beans are all great additions to your favorite recipes and an excellent way to boost a plate's creaminess and nutritional value. Work cannellini beans into soup, pasta, stew and plant-based burgers, or enjoy them as a delicious side. You're sure to love the outcome.

Types of Cannellini Beans

At the grocery store, you'll notice three types of cannellini beans on shelvescanned, dry and fresh beans. Knowing how you plan to use the beans will help determine which type to purchase. While all three types of cannellini beans can be used interchangeably, the cooking process and time required will vary. cannelini beans

Dry Cannellini Beans

If you're not planning to use cannellini beans right away, purchasing dry beans is an excellent way to keep beans in stock without worrying about spoilage. Dry cannellini beans will last for years in storage. That said, they also take the longest to cook. When cooked, dry cannellini beans will produce a fresh-tasting result that will level up any recipe you add them to. When searching for dry cannellini beans, choose those with consistent color, free of dark or chalky spots. Dried cannellini beans that have been properly stored will have smooth and shiny outer skin and look plump instead of wrinkly or shrunken.

Fresh Cannellini Beans

Fresh cannellini beans are those that are still in the pod. Because these beans have never been dried, they cook more quickly. However, while fresh cannellini beans taste fresh when cooked, they will not last very long in storage. Therefore, it is best to purchase fresh beans only if you plan on using them quickly. Fresh cannellini beans will have a long, thin yellow or green colored pod. Contrary to dried cannellini beans, if a fresh cannellini bean pod is slightly dry or wrinkly, it indicates that the shelling process will be easier.

Canned Cannellini Beans

Like dried cannellini beans, when unopened, canned cannellini beans will last a long time in storage. However, because canned cannellini beans are pre-cooked, they might not taste as fresh as dried or fresh ones. The pre-cooked nature of canned beans means that they cook much faster than other types since they only require reheatinga perfect option if you are running short on time and need to make something quick. When selecting a can of cannellini beans, choose a can that is in good condition free of dents or rustand always check the expiration date.

Benefits of Cannellini Beans

Wondering how adding cannellini beans to your meals can benefit you? These tasty beans are loaded with nutritional value. Aside from being fat-free, they are an excellent source of fiber, folate, iron and magnesium. In addition, just one serving ( cup) contains 11 grams of protein. Adding cannellini beans to your diet can help you control blood sugar levels and so much more. Read on to learn more about the fantastic benefits of cannellini beans. cannelini bean dip

They Are a Source of Protein

If you're not meeting your daily protein requirements, it's time to cook up a cannellini bean-based recipe. Our bodies are made of thousands of proteins, each with a unique function. Proteins are essential for cell and tissue growth, muscle recovery and repair and even hormone production. Getting adequate amounts of protein is vital to good health, especially during periods of rapid growth or increased demand, like childhood, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Cannellini beans are an excellent source of protein, and their small size and subtle taste make it easy to work them into any recipe. Create a protein-packed cannellini bean dip, or add a serving of beans to your next soup. The many ways that you can cook with cannellini beans are endless.

They Provide a Source of Fiber

Eating a healthy amount of fiber has several benefits. Dietary fiber can bulk up and soften your stool, promoting regularity. It can also help keep you fuller, reducing the urge to reach for an unhealthy snack between meals. One serving of cannellini beans provides 43% of the daily suggested amount of fiber, making them a filling and healthy ingredient that's sure to leave you feeling better than before.

They Contain Potassium

Potassium has several vital functions that are crucial to good health. When consumed, potassium helps our body maintain normal fluid levels inside our cells. It also allows our muscles to contract and supports normal blood pressure levels. Cannellini beans are a high-potassium food, ideal for individuals looking to add more of this nutrient to their diet.

They Are Versatile

Cannellini Bean Spread with Rosemary Cannellini beans have several health benefits. However, one of our favorite things about cooking with this bean is its versatility. Cannellini beans' great flavor and texture make them a great addition to various types of cuisine. For example, these beans can be added to fruit salads, used to thicken smoothies and are a crucial ingredient in many veggie-based burger recipes. From Cannellini Bean Spread with Rosemary to Cannellini and Octopus, cannellini beans taste excellent cooked, grilled and blended. Learning about cannellini beans and their many benefits is the first step to introducing this bean into your favorite homemade recipes. If you liked what you read about cannellini beans, purchase a bag of Bob's Red Cannellini Beans online or at local retailers to begin cooking with them. Have a healthy and happy day from the Bob's Red Mill family to yours! Eager to add cannellini beans to your favorite recipes? Visit our article: How to Cook Cannellini Beans for step-by-step instructions. Or, if you're making a recipe that calls for cannellini beans and do not have any on hand, read: 8 Best Cannellini Bean Substitutes for a list of beans you can use in their place.
Bob's Red Mill
September 11 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 Cookie Notice Do not sell or share my info Manage Preferences