Cannellini vs. Butter Beans: What's the Difference?

Rate this post

Have you ever noticed that Cannellini beans resemble Butter beans? Well, me too, and it had me wondering whether they were the same beans.

I performed some study and compiled my findings in this useful essay.

Cannellini vs. Butter Beans: What’s the difference?

Butter beans have short, plump seed pods.

Cannellini beans, on the other hand, have long and thin seed pods.

The genuine beans are comparable in color, shape, and flavor.

Nonetheless, the plants they grow are distinct, and they are classed as such by scientists.

Lima beans, sieva beans, double beans, and Madagascar beans are other names for butter beans.

Cannellini beans are the white counterpart of the popular kidney bean.

But, you may be wondering which are healthier and if they develop differently.

So keep reading to find out the answers to these questions so you can choose the best diet option for you.

What are the differences between Cannellini beans and Butter beans?

Cannellini and butter beans vary in the following ways:

Their nutritional value
What they taste like
The manner in which they develop
Their scientific designation

1. Their nutritional qualities of these beans

The nutrients in cannellini beans and butter beans vary.

A table showing a side-by-side comparison follows:

Properties	Cannellini beans per 3.5 oz (100 grams)	Butter beans per 3.5 oz (100 grams)
Energy (kcal)	77	77
Protein (g)	5.38	3.85
Total lipid (fat) (g)	0	0.77
Carbohydrate(g)	13.85	14.62
Fiber (g)	3.1	5.4
Sugars (g)	0	0.77
Calcium, Ca (mg)	31	31
Iron, Fe (mg)	1.54	1.11
Sodium, Na (mg)	269	292

Cannellini beans, as you can see, provide more protein but less fiber and iron.

Apart for the greater total lipid fat in butter beans, all of the other nutrients are relatively comparable.

Most individuals who go to the gym to grow muscle need to consume a lot of protein.

Yet it’s difficult to locate meals high in protein without drinking protein shakes.

Cannellini beans are superior than Butter beans for muscle growth since they contain higher protein.

Yet, throughout my investigation, I discovered that the nutritional attributes mentioned in the chart above might vary greatly.

Producers of canned Cannellini and Butter beans may add salt and other preservatives, increasing the quantity of sodium and other nutrients.

Now, compare this information to the label of the canned beans you want to purchase.

2. How these beans taste

Cannellini beans are a white variant of kidney beans that taste very much like kidney beans.

Kidney beans have a deep, fragrant, and filling flavor.

Butter beans, on the other hand, have a silky, almost buttery flavor.

3. In the way they grow

Cannellini bean seed pods are short and broad in shape.

Butter bean pods, on the other hand, are long and slender.

Both beans have a similar appearance.

Butter beans are flatter and somewhat larger in appearance than Cannellini beans, which have the form of kidney beans.

They are somewhat smaller and more oval in form than Butter beans.

4. Their scientific classification

Cannellini beans are scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris, as opposed to butter beans, which are scientifically known as Phaseolus lunatus.

The genus Phaseolus is the scientific name for wild beans. Bean species include vulgaris and lunatus.

Beans may cross-pollinate, resulting in somewhat distinct types.

This happens during the planting of the beans. Beans, on the other hand, self-pollinate, according to Melinda Myers, a well-known gardening expert.

As a result, the likelihood of this occurring is relatively low. As a consequence, beans retain their distinct appearance, appearance, and flavor.

South America is where Cannellini beans (white kidney beans) and Butter beans were found.

They do, however, grow in almost every environment on the planet.

Are lima beans and butter beans the same thing?

Indeed, lima beans and butter beans are the same thing.

These are the several names for beans produced by a plant known scientifically as Phaseolus lunatus.

Most nations have access to lima beans. And they have various names in each nation and area.

What beans can I substitute for butter beans?

Virtually any bean may be used in place of Butter beans.

Cannellini beans, a white variation of Kidney beans, are the most comparable beans.

Fayot (Flageolet), Pinto, Great Northern, and Navy beans are all quite similar.

While they are not identical in look or flavor, the following legumes are comparable enough to use in a recipe that calls for butter beans:

Red beans with rice
Mung beans are legumes.
Beans from the kidney
Beans, black
Chickpeas
Lentils
Peas
Soybeans
Peas with black eyes
Adzuki
Anasazi

All of these beans are readily available in supermarkets, either canned or dried.

Each of those beans, however, has a distinct appearance and flavor.

As a result, you may discover that some perform better than others for a certain recipe.

Nonetheless, you will need to experiment to locate the ideal ones.

You may often get canned bean mix, which contains a variety of beans. So you can get a sense of how each of them tastes.

What type of beans are butter beans?

Butter beans are one of many names for lima beans, sieva beans, double beans, and Madagascar beans.

Runner beans are a kind of butter bean. Runner beans grow in the form of a vine.

The scientific name for butter beans is Phaseolus lunatus, and they originated in South America.

Butter beans have a hue comparable to butter; they range from white to light yellow. They also have a somewhat buttery flavor.

Lifting the leaves of a butter bean plant reveals the bean pods hanging underneath. Around a half-dozen butter beans may be found within the bean pods.

Are Butter beans and Pinto beans the same?

Butter beans and pinto beans are not the same thing. Pinto beans are speckled and rounder in shape than butter beans.

Butter beans range in hue from white to light yellow and are fairly flat and broad.

They may be used in the same dishes, such as soups or to stuff pasta.

As compared to other beans, pinto beans have about 5 times the protein content of other beans.

As a result, they’re a terrific option for anyone looking to maintain or gain muscle.

I was investigating several varieties of beans for dishes I often cooked, and I ran a side-by-side comparison of which was healthier, Black beans or Pinto beans.

You can read my essay about it here: Which Is Healthier, Pinto or Black Beans?

I also conducted extensive study to determine if canned kidney beans are healthy.

You may read it by clicking here. Are canned kidney beans healthy?

It provides important information on how often you should consume canned beans. Because consuming them too often may be harmful to your health.

Conclusion

Cannellini and butter beans are two distinct species.

You could confuse them for one other particularly after theyre cooked since theyre both white to light yellow in hue.

They do vary in certain ways, for example, Butter beans are flatter and larger than Cannellini beans.

Cannellini beans are white kidney beans that have the same form.

Cannellini beans provide more protein than butter beans but less fiber and iron.

Other than that, their nutritional profiles are comparable.

FAQs

Is cannellini beans same as butter beans?

Several recipes call for cannellini or borlotti beans instead of butter beans. Uses: Salads, chicken or pasta meals, soups and casseroles.

Can you use cannellini beans for butter beans?

If you want to lower your cholesterol or cut down on fat, chickpeas, cannellini beans, great northern beans, and borlotti beans are all suitable replacements for butter beans. Therefore, the next time you create a dish that asks for butter beans, consider one of these alternatives.

What’s another name for cannellini beans?

Cannellini beans are the most common kind of white bean. Due of their classic kidney form, they are also known as White Kidney Beans. They are meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, with a nutty, earthy taste and soft flesh, and are often used in Italian cuisine such as Minestrone.

What is the closest bean to butter beans?

“Lima beans are more than simply related to butter beans; they are the same thing,” according to thekitchn.com. According to Food52, “these cream-colored beans are called after the dairy product with a similarly creamy consistency: butter” in the Southern United States and the United Kingdom.

Can I substitute butter beans for cannellini beans in soup?

Red kidney beans, great northern beans, butter beans, and black beans are the most frequent Cannellini bean alternatives. We’ll go through all of them in this post so you can stock your cupboard before your cooking day comes.

Is there another name for butter beans?

It turns out that lima beans and butter beans are interchangeable. Both words are used to describe the same species, Phaseolus lunatus.

What beans are considered butter beans?

Butter beans are also known as lima beans, after the capital city of their home nation, Peru. Lima beans are a popular side dish in South American cuisine, commonly paired with ceviche. Lima beans are known by many other names, including “butter bean.”

What are cannellini beans best for?

Cannellini beans pair well with soups, stews, chilis, and puréed bean spreads or dips. They are popular in ragouts and bean salads because they maintain their form better than other white beans. Recipes for a hearty Cannellini Bean Soup and a delectable Cannellini Herb Spread with garlic may be found on our website.

What is the closest thing to cannellini beans?

If you can’t get cannellini beans, great Northern beans are an excellent substitute.

Why can’t i find cannellini beans?

The scarcity was caused by two factors. The first was terrible weather in the Upper Midwest, which produces the majority of the country’s cannellini beans. The second factor was growing demand, which caught the corporation off guard.

Cannellini vs. Butter Beans: What’s the Difference?