
Do butter beans go by another name?
Butter beans are lima beans by another name. There really isn’t a difference. In my mind, lima beans are the small lima beans and butter beans are the big lima beans. In fact, you should probably just look for large dried lima beans at your local grocer. They’re about as easy to cook as any other bean.
What is substitute for butter beans?
The 5 Best Substitutes for Butter Beans
- Navy Beans. Navy beans have a mild flavor and a soft texture that perfectly substitutes butter beans in recipes.
- Cannellini Beans. Cannellini beans are another white bean, but they have a slightly stronger flavor that will give your recipes more of a kick.
- Chickpeas. ...
- Great Northern Beans. ...
- Black Beans. ...
Are butter peas and butter beans the same thing?
The smaller baby limas can also be called butter peas or sieva beans.In the culinary domain, where the distinction between varieties is potentially crucial, lima beans typically refer to the small, green variety. Alternatively, the large, white and slightly creamy bean often is considered a butter bean. See more result ››
Are butter beans and broad beans the same Bean?
You can, because butter beans are just another name for lima beans and the two are exactly the same, just like broad beans are nothing but fava beans. You can also replace fava beans with lima beans, but it would be better to use cannellini beans if the recipe calls for limas. When it calls for favas, use edamame instead.

What bean is closest to butter beans?
Due to their firm texture, garbanzo beans make the best substitute for butter beans where the dish requires them to be served whole, such as in stews or salads. Alternatively, garbanzo beans can be substituted when making any kind of bean dip.
Are cannellini and butter beans the same?
They're very similar to butter beans in terms of the look, and, while cannellini beans taste nutty and earthy compared to the rich, buttery flavor of butter beans, they can indeed replace butter beans. Use them in soups, stews, casseroles, salads, and other dishes because both are soft and tender when cooked.
What are big butter beans called?
A favorite in the American South, limas are actually named after the capital of Peru, and they have more nicknames than any other bean: butter bean, Rangoon bean, Burma bean, Madagascar bean, and chad bean. Like common beans, they originated in Peru where they were cultivated even before corn.
What is the same as butter beans?
“What's a good explanation,” the user asked, “for the difference between lima beans and butter beans?” They're two names for the same kind of bean! They can be used interchangeably whether frozen, dried, or canned.
What is a good replacement for butter beans?
The 5 Best Substitutes for Butter Beans1 – Navy Beans.2 – Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)3 – Cannellini Beans.4 – Great Northern Beans.5 – Borlotti Beans.
Can I substitute butter beans for cannellini beans?
At full maturity, the lima bean/butterbean is white and has a more tender texture and creamier taste. In this state, butterbeans can be used in place of cannellini beans in almost every dish and recipe, though they are slightly starchier than the cannellini, and have less of that nutty flavor.
What are the different types of butter beans?
13 of the Best Lima and Butter Beans to Grow at HomeBaby Fordhook.Big Mama.Burpee Improved.Christmas.Dixie Speckled Butterpea.Early Thorogreen.Florida Speckled.Fordhook 242.More items...•
Why do they call them butter beans?
According to Food52: “In the Southern U.S. and in the U.K., these cream-colored beans are named after the dairy product with a similarly rich consistency: butter. Meanwhile, the rest of the bean-eating world labels them limas.
Are white beans the same as butter beans?
Butter beans, or baby lima beans, are the softest variety of white bean, so they're best suited for dips. Read our guides on storing and preparing dried beans, quick soaking your beans, or simply dive into our favorite ways to use white beans, below.
What are butter beans in USA?
Butter beans are a type of white bean from the Phaseolus lunatus plant, with a buttery, creamy texture. The beans are especially popular in the American South. They appear in many iconic regional dishes, from succotash—a dish with roots in early Native American cuisine—to skillet beans with salt pork.
Are Chickpeas the same as butter beans?
Chickpeas have more than 30 per cent more calories than butter beans and less than half the potassium. They also have seven times the fat – but that makes them a better source of vitamin E, with almost eight times as much.
Are butter beans and navy beans the same?
Lima Beans: Named for the capital city of Peru, lima beans are not white themselves, but varieties like baby lima beans are. Lima beans are called butter beans for their buttery, rich flavor, and starchy texture. 2. Navy Beans: Navy beans, which have a pale ivory or white color, are the smallest of various white beans.
Is there another name for cannellini beans?
Cannellini beans are also called white kidney beans. These types of beans are used in many Mediterranean dishes like pasta e fagioli, and are frequently served with the bitter green escarole.
Are butter beans and white beans the same?
Butter beans, or baby lima beans, are the softest variety of white bean, so they're best suited for dips. Read our guides on storing and preparing dried beans, quick soaking your beans, or simply dive into our favorite ways to use white beans, below.
Can you substitute cannellini beans for lima beans?
Baby Lima Beans Baby lima beans substitute reasonably well for cannellini beans, but they do have a unique texture. These are the smallest white bean you can find, which is obviously quite a contrast to large white kidney beans. Because they're so small, you'll want to cook them carefully.
Are cannellini beans and lima beans the same?
Cannellini beans are larger, but they're one of the most popular white beans on the market. Black-eyed peas are small, but they're not entirely white. Full-grown lima beans are more cream than white, but they can be used as a white bean in many recipes.
Basic Characteristics
There are two varieties of butter beans that cooks may find familiar. Cooks may use regular cream-colored butter beans or speckled butter beans. There are some slight differences between these two varieties of butter beans.
Relationship to Lima Beans
Butter beans are genetically very similar to lima beans, and there is some dispute when it comes to whether or not they are actually a variety of lima bean. Most limas are slightly larger with a green tint, though they are known to come smaller; sometimes, they are even white.
Avoid Eating Raw Butter Beans
Wherever the beans originate from, don't eat raw butter beans. Raw butter beans can pose a threat to anyone who consumes them. Raw butter beans and lima beans contain a compound called linamarin. This compound turns into cyanide when consumed. This is part of the plant’s defense system, and the amount depends on where the plants are grown.
Culinary Uses and Popularity
Butter beans are very commonly used in the cuisine of the American South. They are often boiled and served alone as a side dish, usually seasoned with little more than salt and pepper and a bit of butter. They also feature heavily in casseroles and bean pie dishes. Some cooks will also add them to corn bread, soups, stews, and chilis.
How to Cook Butter Beans
There are many butter bean varieties to choose from, so it’s important to note the distinctions between cooking styles for each type of butter bean. As stated above, cooks can opt for a simple side dish or cooks can include the beans in casseroles, soups, or stews.
Availability and Growing Season
Fresh butter beans typically reach their harvest peak in the late summer months. Gardeners usually plant them just after the last frost of the year, as they are quite sensitive to cold soil.
Nutritional Value
Butter beans are generally considered quite healthful. They are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and thiamin; they are also a good source of protein and are very low in calories and fat.
HOW TO MAKE
They’re about as easy to cook as any other bean. Sort, rinse, soak (or not), and cook.
Soaking Beans
There is no need to soak your beans prior to starting this recipe, instead, it uses a quick 30-minute soak.
ADDING MEAT
If you want to use bacon simply cook 4 or 5 thick slices of bacon and set aside. Replace some of the butter in the recipe with the bacon grease. Add the cooked bacon to the cooked beans about 15 minutes before serving.
Adding Butter
Butter is not necessary to make this recipe, but it sure does add some serious flavor.
Storing Leftovers
Cooked beans should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Reheating
Thawed beans can be heated in the microwave or on the stovetop. It may seem thick when first coming out of the refrigerator. Don’t add water just yet. Heat it up a bit before deciding if it needs more water.
Classic Butter Beans
Tender and creamy old fashioned butter beans are a classic Southern comfort dish served as the main attraction or side dish. Beans from scratch starting with large lima beans.
Common Misconceptions About Beans
Lima beans take their name after the capital of Peru, a country in which they have been cultivated for more than 7,000 years. They were introduced to the U.S. in the 19th century, with the majority now grown in California. They range from pale green to beige, with a flat kidney shape, and come in two main varieties: baby lima and Fordhook.
Flavor and Texture of Bean Varieties
In season during summer and fall, both types of beans are highly perishable and fresh beans are hard to come by other than at farmers’ markets. If buying fresh, check them for discoloration and wrinkling.
Other Names for Lima Beans
Depending on the country or region, lima beans might also be referred to as Madagascar beans, wax beans or chad beans. Those varieties that carry purple speckles often are called calico beans. The smaller baby limas can also be called butter peas or sieva beans.
A Cooking Caveat to Beans
Raw Lima beans contain linamarin, which releases hydrogen cyanide, although the varieties grown in the U.S. contain only trace amounts. Nevertheless, Lima beans should never be eaten raw.
1. Their nutritional qualities of these beans
Cannellini beans and butter beans have different amounts of nutrients.
2. How these beans taste
Cannellini beans are a white variety of kidney beans, and they do taste much quite similar to kidney beans.
4. Their scientific classification
Cannellini beans have the scientific name Phaseolus vulgaris, which is different to Butter beans which have the scientific name Phaseolus lunatus.

Basic Characteristics
Relationship to Lima Beans
- Butter beans are genetically very similar to lima beans, and there is some dispute when it comes to whether or not they are actually a variety of lima bean. Most limas are slightly larger with a green tint, though they are known to come smaller; sometimes, they are even white. Horticulturists typically agree that lima beans were originally cultivat...
Avoid Eating Raw Butter Beans
- Wherever the beans originate from, don't eat raw butter beans. Raw butter beans can pose a threat to anyone who consumes them. Raw butter beans and lima beans contain a compound called linamarin. This compound turns into cyanide when consumed. This is part of the plant’s defense system, and the amount depends on where the plants are grown. Whatever the linamari…
Culinary Uses and Popularity
- Butter beans are very commonly used in the cuisine of the American South. They are often boiled and served alone as a side dish, usually seasoned with little more than salt and pepper and a bit of butter. They also feature heavily in casseroles and bean pie dishes. Some cooks will also add them to corn bread, soups, stews, and chilis.
How to Cook Butter Beans
- There are many butter bean varieties to choose from, so it’s important to note the distinctions between cooking styles for each type of butter bean. As stated above, cooks can opt for a simple side dish or cooks can include the beans in casseroles, soups, or stews. However you intend to use butter beans, avoid butter bean mush when you prepare butter beans according to the type …
Availability and Growing Season
- Fresh butter beans typically reach their harvest peak in the late summer months. Gardeners usually plant them just after the last frost of the year, as they are quite sensitive to cold soil. The plants must usually be staked, as most will climb; they will usually produce seed pods by early spring and will develop into fully grown beans by mid to late summer. The seed pods are often r…
Nutritional Value
- Butter beans are generally considered quite healthful. They are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and thiamin; they are also a good source of protein and are very low in calories and fat. Of course, these positive nutritive benefits can be overshadowed by the method of preparation — slathering the beans in butter or thick sauces can make for some highly caloric dishes.