Did you know that the popularly loved baked beans are actually made using navy beans? Navy beans are also known as Boston or haricot beans and they are highly nutritious. Moreover, they’re a simply delicious addition to many dishes!
Navy beans got their name when they became the staple meal that is regularly consumed by the US Navy soldiers.
Easily available and also quick to cook, navy beans have a hint of a nutty flavor to them. It is often used in many dishes like stews and soups. Baked beans are the most widely known item made from navy beans.
However, what if you realize at the last moment that you’ve run out of navy beans? There are actually quite a few ways in which you can still save the dish you’re preparing! So here are some of the best substitutes for navy beans that you might already have at home!
Outline
1. Great Northern Beans
This is the most popular go-to alternative option for navy beans. Although both kinds of beans have a slightly nutty flavor, they still differ a bit when it comes to texture and how they taste in a dish.
These beans are on the slightly larger side. But the advantage is that it’s quite similar to navy beans in appearance, shape, and color. So great northern beans are one of the best substitutes for navy beans and can be used in stews, soups, and many other dishes!
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of Great northern beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
2. Lima Beans
Also known as butter beans, lima beans are one of the other substitutes you can use in place of navy beans. Although the size may vary a bit they are both quite similar in terms of color, shape, etc. Moreover, lima beans can also give a healthy twist to the dish you’re preparing!
As the name suggests, these beans have a buttery flavor to them. This can lend richness to your dish as well! It would be great to use butter beans as an alternative to navy beans, in the case of dishes such as casserole, mash, etc.
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of lima beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
3. Peruvian Beans
These beans are most popularly known as mayocoba beans or Mexican yellow beans, owing to their place of origin. Peruvian beans are yellow in color and their texture is creamy by nature. What’s interesting is that they have a quite light flavor that blends well with dishes.
Just like navy beans, mayocoba beans too are great at absorbing the distinct flavors in the dish you’re preparing. This makes it a great substitute for navy beans. Mayocoba beans work especially well for dishes like tacos, dips, and soups.
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of Peruvian beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
4. Cannellini Beans
This is again one of the popularly known and used substitutes for navy beans. Cannellini beans are known to most people as white kidney beans. As the name suggests, they have a kidney-like shape. These beans also have a slight hint of a nutty flavor just as in the case of navy beans.
Interestingly, it is the texture that makes Cannellini beans similar, yet different from navy beans at the same time. These white kidney beans can easily be used in place of navy beans when preparing dishes like salads, chili, stews, etc.
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of cannellini beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
5. Adzuki Beans
These fall under the category of red beans and they are also generally known as red mung beans. Although they are not the same color as navy beans, they can still serve as a great substitute for them.
The size of these beans is a bit on the larger side in comparison to navy beans. With a unique flavor of its own, they taste just as great and can be just the right choice for certain dishes. So give adzuki beans a try the next time you’re out of navy beans!
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of adzuki beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
6. Red Kidney Beans
Also simply called kidney beans, they are a very nutritious replacement for navy beans. What makes them distinctly different is their quite obvious red color which is in contrast to the light creamy hue of navy beans. However, both kinds of beans are just as creamy and rich when it comes to texture.
The hint of sweetness in the flavor of red kidney beans makes it a greatly preferred substitute in certain dishes such as stews, soups, dips, etc. This is a great alternative to navy beans if you don’t care for the color of the beans in your dish.
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of red kidney beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
7. White Tepary Beans
White tepary beans are also simply known just as tepary beans. What sets apart this alternative option from navy beans, is the meaty and dense nature of the beans. However, tepary beans are also rich and creamy in texture.
The tinge of sweetness in its flavor is undoubtedly an advantage that it holds over navy beans. This makes white tepary beans the perfect substitute choice especially if you’re looking to make dishes like thick soups, dips, stews, and so on.
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of Anasazi beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
8. Anasazi Beans
These beans would come under the family of black beans. For this reason, it is not a popularly known substitute for navy beans. However, this is in fact a great alternative if the beans’ color factor is something you don’t mind looking over while preparing your dish.
The rich texture of cooked Anasazi beans can do wonders for the dish you’re preparing! So the next time you run out of navy beans to make some dish, try substituting it with Anasazi beans!
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of Anasazi beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
9. Flageolet Beans
These beans do not have a flavor that particularly stands out. However, it is this very light and fragile flavor that makes it a great alternative option to navy beans in dishes. Although there is a small change in flavor, it is an advantage that flageolet beans are quite similar to navy beans with regard to appearance.
This substitute is particularly suggested to be used in replacement of navy beans, when preparing side dishes such as salads, casseroles, soups, etc. With its uncannily similar appearance to navy beans, flageolet beans are one of the best alternatives out there!
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of flageolet beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
10. Black Beans
This is in fact a great alternative option to navy beans. Of course, only as long as you don’t think that the change in the color of the beans would bring an issue to the dish. In comparison to navy beans, black beans are much softer in texture.
The meaty nature of these beans also allows for bringing a certain rich and creamy flavor to the dish that you choose to prepare. So black beans are also a particularly great substitute for navy beans!
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of black beans as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish.
11. Lentils
To many of you, this might come as a surprise alternative to navy beans. However, we tend to forget that lentils are also a legume just like navy beans. Lentils are in fact a great substitute, especially with the creamy texture they can lend to your dish.
What’s more! They are even available in a variety of different colors too. Lentils are particularly a great option to use instead of navy beans when it comes to preparing stews or salads.
How To Substitute – Maintain a one-to-one ratio of lentils as against the portion of navy beans, when you are making the dish. Keep in mind that lentils cook comparatively faster than navy beans (approx. 45 minutes).
All kinds of white beans can in fact be used as substitutes for navy beans. Although their taste may slightly differ, all these beans are quite nutritious. It is also an added advantage that most white beans look similar to navy beans.
Beans of other colors like black, red, etc are also a great option if you don’t mind the change in hue. So try out these great alternatives because they sure are just as good!
