Are you tired of eating the same thing every day? Are you looking for some new, healthy recipes to try? Navy beans are a great source of fiber and protein, but they can get a bit boring after a while.
In this post, I will be sharing 7 navy bean substitutes that you can try to lighten your recipe. So, check out these delicious navy bean substitutes and get cooking!
The best options to replace navy beans are butter beans, cannellini beans, great northern beans, mayocoba beans, white tepary beans and pinto beans.
Best Navy beans Substitutes
1. Butter Beans
Native to South America, butter beans have a buttery texture. This is the first thing that you may consider in any navy bean substitute. So, butter beans come not only with a creamy consistency but they also look like navy beans in their shape and color.
They offer a robust and nutty taste and tend to soak up other flavors around them. Butter beans perfectly work in soups, stews and salads. Since they have a starchier content they may affect the texture of the dish. They work well with chicken dishes too.
2. Cannellini Beans
Cannellini beans, also called white kidney beans, are other creamy white beans with a shape of kidney beans. They have a slightly nutty and mild flavor and come with a fluffy texture. These beans become soft and creamy when cooked.
Compared to navy beans, cannellini beans are larger in size and have a stronger robust taste. They perfectly work in recipes that call for navy beans. You can mostly use them in salads, stews and soups as well as in refried beans recipes and chilies in the same quantities as navy beans. The result will be almost the same.
3. Great Northern Beans
When it comes to great northern beans, you should know that they are something between cannellini beans and navy beans. They have a mild taste and tend to take the flavors of other ingredients combined with them.
Due to their nutty flavor, they taste good in stews and soups. Compared with navy beans, they have a tougher texture which means they are not good for dips, sauces and mashed bean dishes.
4. Flageolet Beans
Another variety of white beans is flageolet beans which look like navy beans, only with a pale green undertone. It has a mild and delicate flavor similar to navy beans and can be used as another alternative for navy beans.
You can use flageolet beans in soups, stews and salads and not only. They are also served with lamb, pork and poultry. Some seafood dishes also compliment it.
5. Mayocoba Beans
Mayocoba beans also known as Peruvian beans or Mexican yellow beans are other good substitutes for navy beans. They come with a mild taste, thin skin and creamy texture. You can use them instead of navy beans in stews, soups, tacos, chilies and dips.
The best thing about mayocoba beans is that they easily absorb other flavors in cooked dishes, just like navy beans, and still keep their shape and mild taste.
6. White Tepary Beans
If you don’t mind sweet-flavored beans then use white tepary beans in place of navy beans. These beans are easy to find in many stores and markets and if you happen to have them in your pantry then you can use them in creamy soups, stews and salads.
They have a creamy and meaty texture and work well in sauces too.
7. Pinto Beans
Pinto beans can be your last choice from this list as they come with another color. However, they have a creamy, nutty taste with earthy notes.
They are brown speckled beans with a soft skin that breaks down while you cook them. So, they have a creamy texture and if you can’t find any white bean to replace navy beans, pinto beans can come for help.
You can use them in stews, soups, salads, side dishes, burritos, dips and other sauces. They are easy to find in the US and Latin America.
FAQs
Can great northern beans be substituted for navy beans?
Great northern beans and navy beans are both types of white beans that can be used in a variety of recipes. They have a similar appearance and texture, making them interchangeable in many dishes.
However, there are a few key differences to consider when deciding whether to use great northern beans or navy beans in a recipe. Great northern beans are larger and less dense than navy beans, so they may need more cooking time to soften.
Are navy beans white beans?
Navy beans are a type of white bean.
Navy beans, also called haricot beans, are a variety of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). They are small, oval, and white in color. Navy beans are named for their use by the United States Navy in the early 19th century.
How to make navy beans taste good?
There are many ways to make navy beans taste good. One way is to add them to a soup or stew. Navy beans can also be used in a variety of other dishes, such as salads, casseroles, and dips.
Another way to make navy beans taste good is to add a variety of spices, herbs, and other flavorings. This can include anything from garlic to hot sauce. Experiment until you find a combination.
Sum up
Navy beans are a versatile, affordable, and healthy staple in any pantry. But if you ever find yourself without a can of navy beans on hand, don’t worry! You can always try the substitutes in this article.
From great northern beans to cannellini beans, these creamy navy bean substitutes will make your favorite recipes just as delicious. So stock up on some of these alternatives and never be caught without a can of navy beans again.