Great Northern Beans Substitutes For Everyday Cooking

Great northern beans are a popular, large white bean most often used for making baked beans. They are not a choice in recipes that call for something more delicate, like black beans or cannellini beans. So, in this article, we are going to look at some of the best alternatives for great northern beans.

Navy beans as a substitute for Great Northern Beans

Navy beans get their name from the United States Navy. They are a specific variety of dried beans that are ideal for baking. Navy Beans offer a similar taste to the Great Northern Bean but with a slightly nuttier flavor and firmer texture.

Here is a recipe using navy beans.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Navy Beans (or Great Northern Beans)
• 1 medium Onion, chopped into half moons.
• 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed.
• 1 small Bay leaf
• A pinch of crushed red chilli flakes (for extra spice)

Direction:

1. Place the beans in a large pot and add water until they are covered by about an inch. Then add the chopped onions, chilli flakes and bay leaf. Cover with a lid and let them boil for 20 minutes on the stove over medium heat.
2. After 20 minutes of boiling add the olive oil and garlic and leave them to simmer for 30 more minutes with the lid still on.
3. When the beans are done, remove them from heat and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Then remove the bay leaf for use in other recipes. Let the beans cool completely before serving to produce a smoother texture and better flavor.

Black Turtle Beans as a substitute for Great Northern Beans

The Black Turtle bean is an heirloom bean that was originally grown in Belize and can be used as a delicious and filling substitute for the Great Northern Bean. Here’s how to make Black Turtle Bean Chili.

Here is a recipe using Black Turtle Beans.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of Black Turtle Beans.
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• 1 Onion, chopped into small pieces.
• 8 Garlic cloves, crushed.
• 2 Diced Jalapeño Peppers (optional).

Direction:

1. Put the olive oil in a large pot and warm it for about a minute on medium heat. Then add the chopped onions and jalapeño peppers. Cook them for 2 minutes until they become translucent and then add the garlic cloves; cook for another 4 minutes until the onions are tender. Then add salt, pepper and oregano to taste along with the overnight soaked beans and stir to combine all of the ingredients.
2. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for about 20 minutes or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
3. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Black turtle beans taste their best when served fresh and hot, as opposed to dried Great Northern beans which are best served when they are cold.

Cannellini beans as a substitute for Great Northern Beans

Cannellini beans are one of the most popular small-kernel beans in the world today. The name is thought to come from the Italian word “canella” which means “little spoon” because early adopters would use them to scoop out their hummus. They can be used in many ways, but are particularly great roasted and mashed with butter and sea salt.

Here is a recipe using Cannellini Beans.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of cannellini beans.
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil (optional).

Direction:

1. Place the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and let it warm for about a minute. Then add the beans to the pan and cook them for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. For extra flavor, add salt or other seasonings to your taste. To cook faster, add more olive oil but be careful not to burn it.
2. Remove from heat and serve warm. Cannellini beans have a mild flavor, so they do not need much seasoning to be enjoyed as they are. Served fresh and warm, cannellini beans make a great side dish for any meal.

Pinto beans as a substitute for Great Northern Beans

Pinto beans are used all over the world. They are especially popular in Latin America and the United States. There are two main varieties of this bean, Regular Pinto Beans and Kale Pinto Beans, both of which offer a large, hearty flavor and can be used as a substitute for the more common Great Northern Bean.

Here is a recipe using Pinto beans.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of Pinto Beans.
• 6 tablespoons of Olive Oil.
• 2 cups Diced Cabbage (chopped into small pieces)
• 1 cup Diced Carrots (chopped into small pieces).

Direction:

1. Put the olive oil in a large pot and warm it for about a minute on medium heat. Then add the diced cabbage and carrots to the pot and cook them for 3 minutes until they become soft. Then add the pinto beans to the pot; stir to combine all of the ingredients in the pot thoroughly
2. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for about 20 minutes or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
3. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Chick Peas as a substitute for Great Northern Beans

Chick Peas are a type of shell bean that is native to India and Sri Lanka. It is commonly used to make soups, stews, and curries. In this recipe for Chick Pea and Potato soup, the chickpeas add both color and a nice texture that is both soft yet firm.

Here is a recipe using Chick Peas.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Chick Peas (or 1/2 pound of Pinto or Cannellini Beans)
• 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil.
• 1 Onion, chopped into small pieces.

Direction:

1. Place the olive oil in a large pot and warm it for about a minute on medium heat. Then add the onions and cook them for 4 minutes until they become translucent. Then add the chick peas; cook for another 2 minutes.
2. Add the stock or water to the pot, cover and cook for about 20 minutes or until the chick peas are soft enough to blend. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
3. Remove from heat and blend in a blender until smooth before serving warm.

That is it. These are the five beans that you can use as a substitute for great northern beans.