White beans
About the ingredient white beans. Including 109 recipes with white beans, nutrition data, and where to find it.
Contents
What are white beans?
Also check out our in depth articles on Dried Beans - A low-cost and healthy addition to your diet and Hill of Beans.
The small, white navy bean, also called pea bean or haricot, is particularly popular in Britain and the US, featured in such dishes as baked beans and even pies, as well as in various soups such as Senate Bean Soup.
Navy bean varieties include:
- Great Northern beans
- Rainy River
- Robust
- Michelite
- Sanilac
Other white beans include Cannellini, a fairly popular variety in Central and Southern Italy which is related to the kidney bean and like the kidney bean has higher levels of the toxin lectin (Phytohaemagglutinin).
A notable Greek type of giant white beans exists, called yiyantes or gigantes. They are produced in a specific part of northern Greece (protected label) but can be found throughout the country.
There are four main varieties of white beans.
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Marrow beans, the largest and roundest of the white beans, are grown chiefly in the East but are popular throughout the United States in many types of bean dishes.
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Great Northern Beans are very large and have a distinctive delicate flavor. They are grown in the Midwest US and are a favorite for baked bean dishes.
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Navy beans, mainly grown in Michiga, are somewhat smaller than the Great Northern beans. They are used extensively by canners of pork and beans. Some producers do not differentiate between navy and pea beans.
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Pea beans are the smallest of the white beans. They are in great demand in New England and along the Altantic coast of the US for use in Boston Baked Beans recipes.
Dried Bean Purchasing Guide
Dried beans should be clean, uniform in size and quality. Today dried beans are usually sold pre-packaged and a reliable brand will guarentee clean, uniformly sized beans.
1 pound, raw = approximately 2 1/3 cups
1 pound, cooked = approximately 6 cups
Storage
After opening the package place the unused beans in a clean, tightly covered container and store on the pantry shelf.
Kitchen shelf: 1 year
Refrigerator shelf, cooked, covered: 3 to 4 days
Refrigerator freezer, cooked beans and cooked bean dishes, prepare for freezing: 1 month
Deep Freezer, cooked beans and cooked bean dishes, prepared for freezing: 4 to 6 months
Basic Preparation
Packaged beans are usually sorted and washed before packaging, so need only be rinsed.
Bean bought in bulk should be sorted carefully, discarding broken and defective beans, and washed until the water runs clear.
It's a good idea to soak the beans to replace some of the water lost during the drying process.
In general, if directions are not given on the package, use the amount of water called for in the recipe; save the nutritious soaking water to use in cooking the beans.
There are two ways of soaking dried beans:
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Quick method: Measure the soaking water into a large, heavy pot. Add the washed beans and bring to the boil. Cover the pot and cook for 2 minutes; remove from heat and let stand for one hour, then cook according to recipe directions.
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Overnight method: Measure the soaking water into a large pot; add washed beans; cover pot, and let stand for 6 to 8 hours. To prevent souring and hard skins the two minute boil above is recommended even when the beans are soaked overnight.
Add one teaspoon of salt per cup of soaked beans. If ham, bacon or salt pork is to be added use a smaller amount of salt.
Always try to cook in the soaking water. Cover the pot and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer according to the recipe.
Stir carefully but not too often to avoid breaking apart the beans. When done they should hold their shape as well as be tender. Cooking time can range from 20 minutes to 1 ½ hours depending on the type of bean and how long they have been stored.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size cup (262g)Where found
White beans are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
White beans are a member of the Legumes and Legume Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much do white beans weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 262 grams |
Related
Legumes and Legume Products
| In Chinese: | 白扁豆 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | haricots blancs | |
| en español: | judias blancas |
Recipes using white beans
There are 109 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Amazing White Bean Chilli
Delicious, savory winter-recipe ingredients that will surely satisfy are white beans and Oso Sweet Onions, an onion grown at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Onions are not only believed to be a cancer preventative, their low-salt, low-fat health benefits are the proactive equivalent to superhero powers.
Cheesy Gnocchi with Spinach & Beans
Italian gnocchi with spinach and white beans topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Comes together quickly and hits all the right notes. An easy and delicious vegetarian dinner to make for your family.
Chard Panini with Bean Spread
These delicious panini is made with whole grain bread, spread with creamy yet tasty white bean spread, topped with swiss chard that's braised in a mixture of broth and wine. It fills you up, gives you all the nutrients you need, and satisfies your tummy.
Garlic Scape & White Bean Dip
Garlic scapes lift this bean dip into a seasonal, delicious and healthy beginning of summer dip.A fluffy and billowing fresh green colored dip with a velvety texture and mildly assertive green garlic warmth to wrap around any crudites of your choosing.
Caramelized Onion, White Bean & Cheddar Flatbread
Try this rectangular pizza, caramelized onion with white bean paste coated pizza dough, thinly sliced tomatoes and cheddar cheese, toasted pumpkin seeds, let this homemade pizza colorful and delicious.
White Bean Soup with Broccoli Rabe & Kale
Light and tasty. Serve the soup with a few slices of garlic bread, delicious.
Broccoli Rabe (Rapini) & Pasta with White Bean & Anchovy Sauce
The pasta and rapini are tossed with a flavorful and creamy white bean and anchovy sauce. The ingredients are so inexpensive, but they create a delicious and wholesome meal.
Ukrainian Bean Soup (with video)
Learn how to make Ukrainian Sauerkraut Soup (Kapusniak) with White Beans. This variation is made even more hearty and comforting with the addition of white beans.
Fennel, Zucchini & White Bean Pasta
Roasted fennel and zucchini are loaded with deliciousness. White beans not only give the dish protein boost, but also add some creaminess that's packed with health benefits. An easy and hearty dinner can be served within no time.
Roasted Cherry Tomato & Garlic Dip
Oven-roasted cherry tomato and garlic make this delicious dip absolutely addictive. Sweet, tangy and garlicky. You can dip some crunchy vegetables into it, spread it over the toast or toss it with some pasta. Heirloom or vine-ripe tomatoes work well too.
Tomatillo Pork Chili Verde Stew for Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
A Mexican twist for your slow cooker. Packed with flavor, lean pork in a tangy tomatillo sauce.
Congressional Bean Soup (Crockpot)
This savory bean soup made with ham, celery and parsley leaves is perfect served with a loaf of french bread on the side.
Shaved Spring Vegetables & White Bean Salad
Shaved spring vegetables are crunchy and refreshing, and white bean absorb the flavor from the light and tasty vinaigrette. A well balanced spring or summer salad.
