If you're looking for borlotti beans but you don't have any in your pantry, can't find any in the supermarket, or you want to find a borlotti bean substitute that has a similar taste, colour, or texture, then you're in the right place. Here, you'll find the 15 best substitutes for borlotti beans!
I absolutely adore borlotti beans and always have a tin in my kitchen cupboard. However, sometimes the shops run out of borlotti beans, or a guest doesn't like them, or someone is allergic. So, in this post, I'll share 15 of my top borlotti bean replacements.
If you're looking for more replacement posts, I've written my top 15 best substitutes for leeks to help you when you've run out!
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What Are Borlotti Beans?
Sprouting from the wild bean family tree, borlotti beans are like the cool cousins of the kidney bean, scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris. While the kidney bean is smooth and one-coloured, the borlotti bean, also known as cranberry bean or Roman beans, is a burst of pink, red, brown, and beige hues incased in pinkish-red speckled bods. Once cooked however, they mellow into a gorgeous light shade of brown.Â
So, where do they come from and where are they used? The cranberry bean originates from the Americas, however, they’ve traveled across the waters and become a staple ingredient in Italian and Portugues kitchens. Think olive oil and tomato-infused stewed beans, a cozy pumpkin farro soup spiced up with borlotti beans, or the mouthwatering Feijao a Portuguesa. This Portuguese gem features borlotti beans, paprika, bacon, sausage, chili peppers, tomatoes, and garlic…delish!Â
In their purest form, borlotti beans will be in their dried and shelled form. So, for the best cooking results, let them soak (based on packet instructions) for the creamiest results. However, nowadays, you can find them pretty easily tinned or jarred in your local supermarket too!
Quick Facts!
Best substitutes: Cannelini beans, red kidney beans, pinto beans
Other names: cranberry bean, roman bean, shelling bean, French horticultural bean
Origin: Colombia
How Are Borlotti Beans Commonly Used?
Borlotti beans, with their creamy texture and distinctive nutty flavour, are incredibly versatile, earning them a cherished spot in various cuisines. Not only are they delicious, they’re super nutritious too! Here are some common and delightful ways borlotti beans are used:
Pasta: Beans with pasta is a very common way to consume borlotti beans. Especially in parts of Italy e.g. pasta e fagioli.
Salads: Whether tossed in a green salad or featured in a bean salad, borlotti beans bring a unique texture and taste. Their ability to absorb flavours makes them an excellent addition to cold dishes, adding both substance and a nutty undertone.
Bean Casseroles: Borlotti beans shine in bean casseroles, contributing a creamy consistency that complements other ingredients. They pair well with vegetables, herbs, and savory sauces.
Baked Dishes: Incorporate borlotti beans into baked dishes like casseroles or vegetable bakes. Their texture holds up well during baking, and they absorb the flavours of the surrounding ingredients.
Dips and Spreads: Similar to hummus, turn borlotti beans into dips and spreads for a unique twist. Whether combined with garlic, herbs, or spices, they create a creamy and flavourful base for your favorite dips.
Bean Burgers: For a plant-based protein boost, using borlotti beans as the main ingredient in homemade bean burgers has become super popular! Their creamy texture adds moisture, and their nutty flavour enhances the overall taste.
Sautéed or Stir-fried: Quickly sautéing or stir-frying borlotti beans with vegetables, garlic, and herbs for a simple and nutritious side dish is such a winner. Their versatility makes them a quick and easy addition to various recipes. I personally love my Korean-Style Beans when I'm looking for a simple dinner!
Bean Soups: Enhance the depth of flavor in bean soups by incorporating borlotti beans. They provide a creamy consistency and absorb the savory notes of the broth.
Curries: I love adding beans to curries. Borlotti beans especially add a super creamy and nutritious benefit. If you've got some borlotti beans in the cupboard, check out my bean & spinach curry!
Pies: Savoury pies are a great style of cooking to add beans into. My simple Boursin pie is a great example of combining great flavours and textures to make a delicious tasting dish!
How To Choose a Borlotti Bean Substitute?
When selecting a substitutes for borlotti beans, consider the specific role it plays in your recipe. If you need a similar texture and size, options like cannellini beans, red kidney beans, and pinto beans work well!
If you're looking for a bean with similar flavours and textures to a borlotti bean, then you might want to choose pinto beans, red kidney beans, butterbeans, carlin peas, white beans, or a mixture of the beans above.
Luckily, if you're buying tinned beans, you don't need to think about cooking time. So, that's an element that you can remove from the equation!
Are you making a cold or hot dish? If you're making a cold dish, you may want to consider chickpeas, carlin peas, edamame beans, or a mixture of the beans mentioned. A hot dish on the other hand may work better with pinto beans, black beans, red kidney beans, butter beans, gigantic beans, or urad beans.
Colour! If you're looking for beans that match the colour of a borlotti bean, then go for pinto, black eyed beans, adzuki beans, red kidney beans, or carlin peas.
Lastly, the type of meal makes a huge difference in your choice of borlotti bean replacement. How creamy do you want the bean to be? Super creamy like cannellini beans, or crunchier like edamame beans? Do you want it to be a bit crunchy? Stronger in flavour like a red kidney bean, or lighter in flavour like a butterbean? If you're making a stew or casserole where you'll be wanting a creamier, less flavourful bean to soak up the flavours, then a butterbean might be best. If you're looking for a bean to soak up the flavours but still has a rich undertone, then a red kidney bean could be optimal.
Keep reading the post further down the page to see which beans I'd recommend for several types of dishes. It's really up to you and whatever replacement you personally like best!
15 BEST Substitutes For Borlotti Beans
1. Pinto Beans
Pinto beans stand out as a top choice due to their close resemblance to borlotti beans in both appearance and texture. Their mild, earthy flavour makes them a versatile substitute, seamlessly fitting into a variety of dishes.
2. Black Eyed Beans
For those desiring a slightly nutty undertone, black-eyed beans present a suitable replacement. Their tender texture ensures they harmonise well in dishes where borlotti beans are traditionally used.
3. Haricot Beans
Haricot beans, also known as navy beans, offer a mild and slightly nutty flavour, with that element of creaminess, making them an adaptable substitute in salads, casseroles, and other recipes calling for borlotti beans.
4. Black Beans
Black beans bring a rich, hearty flavour and a firm texture to the table, making them an excellent alternative in dishes where borlotti beans are a key component. For example in a vegetarian bean chilli or borlotti bean stew!
5. Red Kidney Beans
Similar to black beans, Red Kidney Beans are renowned for their robust flavour and meaty texture. Red kidney beans serve as a great borlotti bean alternative, particularly in heartier stews and chilli recipes.
6. Butterbeans (Lima Beans)
With their creamy texture and mild taste, butterbeans (or lima beans) offer a smooth alternative to borlotti beans, enhancing the overall richness of various dishes. A good dish to substitute butterbeans into would be a recipe where borlotti beans aren't the star ingredient. A salad for example or curry would be great.
7. Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, bring a nutty flavor and a slightly grainy texture to the table, making them an excellent substitute in salads, dips, and other borlotti-infused recipes.
8. Carlin Peas (Maple Peas)
Carlin peas, with their distinctive earthy taste, provide a unique and flavourful twist as a substitute in traditional recipes that call for borlotti beans. They're a bit smaller than borlotti beans but similar texture and colour.
9. Cannellini Beans
Similar to butter beans, Cannellini beans are white beans known for their creamy texture and mild flavour, seamlessly replace borlotti beans in pasta dishes, soups, and various Mediterranean-inspired recipes.
10. Fava Beans
Fava beans (also known as broad beans) contribute a buttery texture and a mildly sweet flavour, adding a distinctive touch as a substitute in recipes traditionally featuring borlotti beans. These beans are great for longer cooks. Stews, casseroles, curries are perfect when using fava beans.
11. Gigante Beans
As you can tell by their name, Gigante beans are large and meaty with a creamy texture. They are a great replacement for borlotti beans in Mediterranean-inspired dishes, providing a satisfying alternative.
12. Edamame Beans
Edamame beans, with their nutty flavor, firm texture, and green colour, introduce a unique element as a substitute in salads or stir-fries, offering a fresh twist to borlotti-based recipes. I wouldn't recommend adding these to stews or casseroles. They're better cold or in fresh dishes.
13. Urid Beans
Urid beans are a smaller alternative for borlotti beans but boast a creamy texture and neutral taste when cooked.
14. Green Lentils
Going even smaller on the size scale, lentils are a great borlotti bean substitute in dishes where the bean isn't the main character. If you're looking to add a bit of texture in a salad, chilli, or casserole, then these green lentils are perfect.
15. Adzuki Bean
Adzuki beans, also known as aduki or Azuki beans, are small, reddish-brown beans with a slightly sweet flavour. They are native to East Asia and have been a staple in Asian cuisine for centuries. You may have come across them in your local supermarket, or in Asian style buns made with sweet red bean paste. It's a great substitute for borlotti beans.
Pick The Right Substitute For The Chosen Dish
Hot stews and casseroles:
Most beans work really well in hot dishes, casseroles, and stews. As they cook, their outer layer softens and deepens in flavour and texture. These are the following beans I'd suggest replacing with borlotti beans:
- Pinto beans
- Black eyed beans
- Haricot beans
- Black beans
- Red kidney beans
- Butterbeans
- Chickpeas
- Carlin Peas
- Cannellini Beans
- White Beans
- Gigante beans
- Urid Beans
- Green Lentils
- Adzuki Beans
Salads:
For salads or cold dishes, you want to ensure the bean is the right texture and flavour to be eaten alone alongside cold elements. The beans below are what I'd recommend:
- Haricot beans
- Butterbeans
- Chickpeas
- Carlin peas
- Fava beans
- Edamame beans
Soups:
Soups are similar to casserole dishes and hot dishes, but the beans will be more standalone. So, here are my borlottie bean substitute recommendations for soup:
- Pinto beans
- Black beans
- Red kidney beans
- Butterbeans
- Chickpeas
- Green lentils
- Adzuki beans
Stir Fries:
Stir fries require beans with a slightly harder skin because the creamier the bean, the quicker they'll disintegrate, which doesn't work for a stir fry. So, if you're making a quick hot dish requiring borlotti beans but you don't have any, here's what I'd suggest:
- Black beans
- Red kidney beans
- Pinto beans
- Chickpeas
- Edamame beans
- Adzuki beans
FAQs
They both have very similar flavours and textures. Pinto beans' skin are light brown with darker spots on them, compared to borlotti beans that have a whiter skin with red purple marks.
Yes, borlotti beans are a great substitute for kidney beans.
Cannelini beans, red kidney beans, and pinto beans.
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