Butter beans, also known as lima beans, are a popular legume and versatile ingredient with many health benefits. However, if you don’t have butter beans on hand or are looking for a substitute, there are many alternatives to choose from. Let’s discuss some of the best substitutes for butter beans, including the one that is our favorite. We’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of each of these substitutes, as well as tips for using them in your favorite recipes. Whether you’re cooking a soup, casserole, or salad, there’s likely a butter bean substitute that will work well and allow you to enjoy your favorite dishes even if you don’t have lima beans on hand.
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What are Butter Beans?
The Butter bean, a type of legume, is a large, flat, kidney-shaped bean, commonly found in American and European cuisine. They are white to pale green in color and have a creamy texture with a slightly sweet flavor. Butter beans are a good source of protein, fiber and vitamins, and are often used in soups, stews, casseroles, and salads. They can be cooked and served on their own as a side dish, or used as an ingredient in recipes like succotash, chili, and hummus.
Butter Bean Varieties
Butter beans come in a variety of types and colors. Here are some of the most common varieties:
- Baby Lima Beans: The smallest type of butter beans that have a delicate, buttery flavor.
- Fordhook Lima Beans: These beans are larger than baby Lima beans and have a greenish-white color. They have a delicate nutty flavor.
- Madagascar Beans: Similar in size and shape to Fordhook Lima beans, but have a more pronounced nutty flavor. They seeds have an interesting purple-speckled appearance.
- Christmas Lima Beans: A unique variety also known as chestnut Lima beans due to the texture. These beans are mottled in appearance with a reddish-brown and white pattern. They have a rich nutty flavor with a creamy texture.
- Baby Butter Beans: These beans are smaller than standard Lima beans and have a buttery flavor and creamy texture.
The Best Butter Bean Substitutes
Butter beans have a unique flavor and texture that can be difficult to replicate. However, there are several substitutes that can be used in recipes that call for butter beans. Here are our recommendations.
1. Cannellini beans
These are a type of white kidney bean that has similar creamy texture to butter beans. They are slightly smaller in size and have a slightly nuttier flavor. Cannellini beans are an excellent substitute in soups, stews, and salad recipes that call for butter beans.
2. Navy beans
These small, oval-shaped beans have a mild flavor and creamy texture that is also similar to butter beans. Navy beans are a great substitute in recipes that call for butter beans as a side dish or in casseroles.
3. Great Northern beans
These are another type of white bean that are slightly smaller than butter beans. They have a mild, nutty flavor and a creamy texture that is similar to butter beans. Great Northern beans are a great alternative in recipes that call for butter beans in soups, stews, and casseroles.
4. Borlotti Beans
Borlotti beans, also known as cranberry beans, can be a good substitute for butter beans in some recipes, as they have a similar flavor and texture. However, they are slightly smaller and have a pinkish-brown color with darker red markings, which may affect the appearance of the dish. Borlotti beans can be a great replacement for butter beans in many recipes, such as soups, stews, and casseroles.
5. Chickpeas
Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas have a firm texture. Therefore, they are a good substitute in recipes that call for butter beans in salads and dips or spreads, such as hummus.
6. Edamame
These are immature soybeans that are harvested when they are still in their pods. They have a slightly firm texture that can be a good substitute for butter beans in salads.
7. Black beans
These beans have a dense, meaty texture that has a slight stronger flavor than butter beans. They are a good substitute for butter beans in recipes that call for a heartier bean, such as in chili or tacos.
8. Pinto beans
These beans have a creamy texture that can be a good substitute for butter beans in recipes that call for a milder bean. Pinto beans work well in soups, stews, and casseroles.
9. Red kidney beans
These red beans are larger and firmer than butter beans, with a slightly sweet taste and a meaty texture. As with black beans, they are a good substitute in recipes such as in chili or casseroles.
10. Lentils
These small legumes have a slightly nutty flavor and a firm texture that can be a good substitute for butter beans in recipes that call for a protein-rich ingredient. Lentils work well in salads, soups, and stews.
11. Fava Beans
These beans have a buttery texture and a slightly sweet flavor that can be a good substitute for butter beans in recipes that call for a creamy, rich ingredient. Fava beans work well in dips, spreads, and casseroles.
12. Black Eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas can be a good substitute for butter beans in some recipes, but they have a distinct flavor and slightly different texture than butter beans. Black-eyed peas are smaller and have a firmer texture than butter beans, and they have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor.
What is the best substitute for butter beans?
Choosing the “best” alternative for butter beans depends on the specific recipe you are making and your personal preferences. That being said, if you’re looking for a versatile substitute that can work well in a variety of recipes, cannellini beans, in our opinion, is the best option.
Cannellini beans are white kidney beans that have a creamy texture and a mild, slightly nutty flavor that is similar to butter beans. They are commonly used in soups, stews, salads, and casseroles, and can be used as a substitute for butter beans in many recipes.
When using these white beans as a substitute, you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure that they are fully cooked and have the desired texture. However, their flavor and texture make them a good option for a butter bean alternative.
How to Substitute Butter Beans in a Recipe
When using a butter bean substitute in a recipe, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that the change works well:
- Consider the flavor profile: The substitute you choose should have a flavor profile that is similar to butter beans, or at least complements the other ingredients in the recipe. For example, if the recipe calls for butter beans in a creamy, mild soup, cannellini beans or navy beans may work well as a substitute.
- Adjust the cooking time: Different beans have different cooking times, so you may need to adjust the cooking time of the substitute to ensure that it is fully cooked and has the desired texture. For example, chickpeas and edamame cook more quickly than most beans, while kidney beans and black beans take longer to cook.
- Consider the texture: The texture of the substitute should be similar to butter beans, or at least appropriate for the recipe. If the recipe calls for butter beans in a casserole, a substitute like pinto beans or cannellini beans may work well, as they have a similar texture so something like edamame wouldn’t be a good alternative.
- Taste and adjust as needed: Once the substitute is cooked and added to the recipe, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed to ensure that the dish has the desired flavor and texture.
Popular Butter Bean Recipe Ideas
These are just a few popular butter bean recipes, but the possibilities are endless so get creative!
- Butter Bean Salad: Mix cooked butter beans with chopped tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs like parsley and basil. Drizzle with a simple dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
- Butter Bean Hummus: Replace chickpeas with butter beans in a classic hummus recipe for a creamy and flavorful dip. Blend cooked butter beans with garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt until smooth.
- Butter Bean Stew: Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in a pot with olive oil. Add cooked butter beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Simmer until vegetables are tender and the stew is thickened.
- Butter Bean Curry: Sauté onion, garlic, ginger, and spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric in a pot with oil. Add cooked butter beans, diced tomatoes, and coconut milk. Simmer until the sauce is thickened and the flavors have melded.
Overall, using a butter bean substitute in a recipe can be a matter of trial and error, and may require some adjustments to get the recipe just right. However, with some experimentation and a bit of creativity, you can often find a suitable substitute that works well in your favorite recipes. Let us know your favorite butter bean substitute in the comments section below.
9 Responses
I love beans so much. These are great ideas for butter bean substitutions! I think I would go with the chickpeas.
There are some great butter bean recipes! I would like to try the hummus!
Oooh I love butter beans aka lima beans! But I also love Fava Beans, chick peas, and all the other yummy beans.
Apparently I’m a bean person because I love so many of these beans you listed as substitutes for butter beans! I grew up eating a lot of these. Thanks for sharing!
I absolutely love beans and eat them several times a week! I love this list of 12 substitutes for butter beans and will refer back to this on my next trip to the market!
I love how diverse and easily beans can be substituted in most recipes! Always good to have a few idea’s for substituting butter beans 🤗
This is a great guide to beans! I love lima beans. And as one who practices a plant based Blue Zones lifestyle legumes are a staple.
Love this guide to the best substitutes for butter beans. So many alternative options.
This is such an amazing guide to what can substitute for butter beans……aka lima beans. Thank you for sharing.