Great northern beans are a common variety of bean found on dinner tables across the country. Due to their mild flavour and creamy texture, they are utilised in many different recipes and are a wonderful source of protein and fibre.
When you don’t have any great northern beans on hand but still want to make the dish, you can use any of the many other beans that have a similar flavour and texture.
If you can’t find great northern beans, what should you eat instead? The best great northern beans substitute are those that are mild in flavour, have a comparable texture, and cook in about the same amount of time, all while being able to absorb as much flavour as possible. You may find a wide variety of beans, such as cannellini beans, navy beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, lima beans, black beans, adzuki beans, and many more!
Find out what other beans can stand in there for great northern beans and also how they differ in terms of flavour, texture, and nutritional value by reading on!
What are Great Northern Beans?
The Great Northern beans are one of the varieties of white beans like cannellini, baby lima and navy beans that have a mild elderflower-like flavor. They are very well-known across North America. They are part of the family of Phaseolus vulgaris, and are similar to the other white beans.
They typically thrive in colder temperatures and are able to be able to withstand extreme temperatures. They are believed to have first developed within South America. But, they have gained lots of recognition across the globe.
In the modern kitchen, Great Northerns are perfect for soups, fresh salads, casseroles and stir-fry. Their mild flavor also makes them excellent for soaking up flavors like bacon and herbs, so they’re great to cook with if you want a tasty side dish or delicious meal without being overly complex.
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Uses Of Great Northern Beans
Great Northern beans are a wonderful ingredient to incorporate into your cooking, as they provide plenty of nutrition and flavour.
They are high in fibre and protein, so adding them to your meals can make them more filling, and their mild taste allows for plenty of versatility.
You can use them to give a little extra something to salads or soups, or mash them up for some delicious dips and spreads.
A great way to enjoy the nourishment that comes from these white beans is by making chili or other dishes like casseroles – just remember to make sure you soak them overnight before getting started!
Why Substitute For Great Northern Beans?
Using a substitute for great northern beans can open up so many more cooking possibilities! They provide an alternative to the traditional bean, with unique flavor and texture. Subbing in a different bean can add a whole new level of deliciousness to your meal while providing essential vitamins and nutrients.
There are many options when it comes to substituting the traditional great northern bean. Many people suggest navy beans or cannellini beans as an option; these varieties offer similar texture with a slightly nuttier flavor. Chickpeas also make an excellent stand-in for great northern beans, offering a more earthy taste and different texture.
Best of all, you won’t have to wait forever for the beans to cook – they’re generally ready in minutes or hours versus having to let them soak overnight.
So if you’re looking for a quick and tasty way to prepare your favorite dishes , why not go off the beaten path and try out a great northern beans substitute? You won’t be disappointed!
11 Best Great Northern Beans Substitutes
When you’re in a bind and don’t have any Great Northern beans on hand, don’t worry! There are plenty of other great white beans that can easily be substituted in recipes. From cannellini beans to navy beans, there’s sure to be a bean that will fit the bill. Keep reading for some of our favorite substitutes for Great Northern beans.
1. Cannellini Beans
Cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans, work well as a substitute for Great Northern beans in many recipes. Like great northern beans, cannellini beans are large white beans that are often used in soups and stews. They have a mild, slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with other ingredients.
These starchy legumes are a versatile pantry staple that pair deliciously with traditional ingredients like garlic and extra-virgin olive oil to create Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as pasta e fagiole or Tuscan-style baked beans.
What’s more, they’re packed with health benefits—loaded with dietary fiber that can help reduce blood sugar levels and cholesterol and rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, folate and other essential vitamins and minerals.
When substituting cannellini beans for great northern beans, you may need to make adjustments to the cooking time. Great northern beans typically take longer to cook than cannellini beans, so they may need to be simmered for a shorter period of time. With a little experimentation, you should be able to find the perfect substitution for your recipe.
2. Navy Beans
Navy beans are a fantastic substitute for great northern beans! Not only are they incredibly similar in both taste and texture, but they also can cost significantly less. Because of this, navy beans can be used as a great northern bean substitute in most recipes.
They both have a naturally mild flavor that pairs well with different seasonings and are full of beneficial nutrients like protein, fiber, and even iron.
Navy beans can be eaten plain or added to soups, stews, and casseroles for extra texture. Plus, they store well in the pantry if you don’t finish them all in one meal–just soak them overnight before cooking! Whether you have great northern or navy beans on hand, you’re sure to enjoy a delicious meal.
3. Pinto Beans
Pinto beans have a similar texture and flavor to great northern beans, making them a good choice for dishes like soups and stews. Pintos have a creamy texture that lends richness and hearty flavor to your favorite dishes.
They also have a similar nutritional profile, with both types of beans being a good source of vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, and folate – making them an excellent choice for those looking for a nutritional boost!
Pinto beans are also more widely available than great northern beans, so they’re easier to find if you can’t find great northern beans at your local grocery store.
Ultimately, whether you use pinto beans or great northern beans is up to you, but pinto beans make a good substitute if you can’t find great northern beans.
4. ChickPeas
Chick Peas are quickly becoming a favorite alternative to traditional Great Northern Beans for so many reasons. Chick peas are easier to prepare and provide an awesome flavor that even the pickiest of palates can enjoy.
With their nutty flavor and creamy texture, they make delicious salads, soups, hummus and much more! But keep in mind that chickpeas have a very different nutritional profile than great northerns. To get the most out of them, you’ll want to make sure you include a variety of other legumes, grains and vegetables so you can cover all your nutritional bases.
They make a great addition to plant-based diets due to their high protein and fiber content plus a plethora of other nutrients providing plenty of health benefits.
Whether you’re prepping for dinner or stocking up your pantry – chick peas are an easy and tasty option that every home cook should have on hand!
5. Lima Beans
Lima beans are an excellent alternative to Great Northern beans, especially if you’re looking for a vegan or vegetarian-friendly source of fiber, protein, and a variety of essential vitamins and minerals.
Not only are they as nutritious as Great Northern beans, but they also possess a slightly nuttier flavor that gives dishes a richer depth of taste and texture.
They also absorb flavors well, making them a great option for recipes that call for long cooking times. For those flavorful chili recipes that call for Great Northern Beans, it’s time to give Lima beans a spin! Despite the different name, the experience will be just as enjoyable when using the nutritious legume.
The creamier texture of the Lima bean adds a unique twist to dishes, while still providing great taste. Give lima beans a try – it’ll surely be an interesting change from the usual great northern!
6. Canned Great Northern Bean
Canned great northern beans can be a great substitute for fresh if you’re in a pinch! They come pre-cooked and ready to eat, so they’re easy to throw into salads, stews, soups, and other recipes that call for great northern beans.
The texture and flavor of canned great northern beans will be slightly different from fresh or dried beans, but they will still provide the same nutritional benefits.
The convenience makes them an ideal choice if you want to prepare a dish quickly and easily. Besides the convenience factor, canned beans are often more budget-friendly than their fresh counterparts.
Plus, their shelf life is much longer than dried beans—so you don’t have to worry about expiration dates. With all these benefits in mind, it’s no wonder so many home cooks turn to canned great northern beans as an alternative!
7. Flageolet Beans
Flageolet beans have recently become a popular substitute for great northern beans in many dishes, including vegetarian chili, soups and salads.
They have a creamy texture and delicate flavor that takes on the flavors it is cooked with beautifully.
While they are similar to great northern beans in size and shape, the nutritional content of flageolet beans is significantly higher. They are high in fiber and protein and contain no saturated fat or cholesterol.
Flageolet beans also cook faster than other varieties, so if you’re looking for an easy substituent for great northern beans then give these tasty little legumes a try!
8. Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are a type of common bean that is often used as a replacement for great northern beans. They are named after their kidney-shape and are usually red, white, or black in color.
They have a similar texture, color, and size but offer a slightly sweeter flavor, which can be quite nice depending on what you are cooking. Kidney beans are popular in chili and other hearty dishes because they have a firm texture and hold their shape well when cooked.
The versatility of kidney beans also makes them a great choice – they do just as well either mashed, pureed, or whole in any type of substance you’re trying to create. Additionally, they work perfectly competing with bold flavors like tomato sauce and pork rinds, as well as subtle delicate tastes like coconut milk or French herbs
These red little bundles of joy are packed full of protein, dietary fiber, vitamin B1, minerals, and antioxidants! Many people who try a dish featuring kidney beans find themselves hooked from the start due to their robust and earthy flavor.
If you need to substitute kidney beans for great northern beans in a recipe, simply use an equal amount of kidney beans. Keep in mind, however, that kidney beans have a slightly sweeter flavor than great northern beans, so you may want to adjust the seasonings accordingly.
9. Black Beans
Black beans are a fantastic stand-in for great northern beans in recipes requiring them. They share a similar soft, creamy texture and an earthy flavor, but black beans are much more widely available around the world.
They contain all sorts of essential vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, zinc and B vitamins, plus they’re an excellent source of plant-based protein.
Black beans also cost significantly less than Great Northerns, making them an ideal choice to add to soups, stews and salads without having to break the bank.
With their enhanced healthful profile and tasty flavor, black beans can be used as a great substitute when you’ve got no great northerns in your pantry!
10. Fava Beans
Fava beans, also called broad beans are beans with a flat surface that can be substituted in place for Great Northern beans.
They are a soft and buttery texture that can give you a nutty and slightly nutty flavor. Unlike many other bean varieties, the fava bean can take on a variety of flavors and textures depending on where it is grown and how it is cooked — making it so you don’t have to worry about it tasting different from what you’re used to.
One of the best things about using fava beans instead of Great Northerns is their ease — they require no soaking or pre-cooking in order to make them delicious.
Fava beans are also nutrition powerhouses, being packed with folate, fibers, proteins and minerals, Fava beans can also offer benefits such as boosting the immune system as well as improving bone health, preserving body weight, improving blood circulation as well as other benefits.
They are used in a range of traditional cuisines around the globe and are served as boiled, cooked or in dishes such as falafels, soups and stews. It is therefore possible to say that Fava beans are among the most flexible alternatives to Great Northern beans.
11. Adzuki Beans
Adzuki beans are gaining popularity as a great substitute for Great Northern Beans due to their unique flavor and nutritional benefits. Not only are they full of protein, iron and magnesium, but they also have a sweet taste that blends perfectly with other ingredients.
With just a few simple changes to a standard recipe you can switch out the Great Northerns for Adzukis and instantly upgrade the dish – plus no one’s even going to realize you made the switch!
It is possible that you have been familiar with red Adzuki beans. They are also referred to in the context of “red beans” but what you don’t know is that they are available in various varieties. White adzuki beans are the perfect alternative to Great Northern beans.
In general, Adzuki beans have a mild taste that is nutty and earthy with a soft texture . It is great in cooked dishes. So, it is possible to swap Great Northern beans with Adzuki beans in stews, soups, and salads, or boil them as an accompaniment to your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Cannellini and great northern the same bean?
Yes, cannellini and great northern beans are the same bean. They’re both type of white beans that come from the Phaseolus vulgaris plant. The only difference is that cannellini beans are imported from Italy while great northern beans are native to North America. Both varieties of beans have a mild, nutty flavor and firm texture. You can use them interchangeably in recipes calling for either type of bean.
Is there another name for great northern Beans?
Some people call them “great northern beans” while others refer to them as “white kidney beans”. They’re all the same bean though!
Can I substitute navy beans for great northern beans?
Yes, you can substitute navy beans for great northern beans in most recipes. Navy beans are a little smaller than great northern beans, so you might need to adjust the cooking time if the recipe calls for great northern beans.
What are great northern beans used for?
Great Northern beans can be used in many different dishes. They are a white bean that is often used in dishes such as chili, soup, and burritos. They are also a good source of fiber and protein.
Do great northern beans have health benefits?
There’s no doubt that beans are good for you. They’re a great source of protein and fiber, and they’re packed with nutrients. But what about Great Northern beans specifically? Are they any better for you than other types of beans?
It turns out that Great Northern beans have a few health benefits that set them apart from other types of beans. For one thing, they’re a great source of folate, which is important for pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions. They’re also a good source of magnesium, which is involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body.
So if you’re looking for a healthy bean option, Great Northern beans are definitely worth considering.
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