What are the beans that look like butter beans?

December 10, 2025 •

4 min read

The biggest misconception in the bean world is that lima beans and butter beans are different, when in fact, they are the same legume, just known by different names. In addition to their alter-ego, butter beans have several other lookalikes, including cannellini, great northern, and navy beans.

Quick Summary

Several types of beans resemble butter beans, including lima beans, which are the same thing but known by different names depending on geography and maturity. Other beans like cannellini and great northern also have a similar appearance but differ in texture and flavor.

Key Points

Lima Beans: Lima beans and butter beans are the same legume, with the name often depending on geography and the bean's maturity.
Geographic Naming: In the American South and the UK, they are called butter beans, while in other regions, the name lima bean is more common.
Cannellini Beans: These are larger, firmer white beans with an earthy flavor that hold their shape better than butter beans.
Great Northern Beans: A medium-sized white bean with a mild, nutty flavor, great northern beans retain their shape well and are good for stews.
Navy Beans: Smaller than butter beans, navy beans become very creamy when cooked and are excellent for pureeing or thickening soups.
Variety in Appearance: Butter beans and their lookalikes can be found in various colors, from pale green (baby limas) to creamy white, and even speckled.

What is a butter bean, anyway?

Many people in the American South and the United Kingdom refer to Phaseolus lunatus—also known as the lima bean—as a butter bean. This common point of confusion arises from the creamy, buttery flavor and smooth texture of the cooked bean, particularly the mature, pale-colored ones. Lima beans can be found in various forms: as younger, smaller green-hued legumes, known as 'baby limas' or 'sieva beans,' or as mature, beige or speckled beans called 'butter beans'. Heirloom varieties further complicate the naming, with names like 'Christmas Limas' and 'Jackson Wonder,' which can be either pole or bush beans and may exhibit different colors. The larger Greek Gigantes are also a type of lima bean.

The most common lookalikes

When searching for a bean with a similar appearance to a mature butter bean, you'll encounter several options in the white bean family. These beans can be used as substitutes, though they have distinct characteristics.

Great northern beans

Great northern beans are medium-sized white beans, larger than navy beans but smaller than cannellini beans. Their skin is thin, and they have a delicate, nutty flavor, which allows them to absorb flavors well. They are known for holding their shape during cooking, making them suitable for soups, stews, and casseroles. This ability to retain shape is a key difference from butter beans, which tend to become much creamier and softer.

Cannellini beans

Cannellini beans are large, white, kidney-shaped beans with a creamy texture and nutty, earthy flavor. They are popular in Italian cuisine, often used in dishes like minestrone. Compared to butter beans, cannellini beans are firmer and hold their shape better, making them ideal for dishes where you want the beans to remain intact, such as salads. While both are creamy, the mouthfeel of the butter bean is often described as more buttery and softer.

Navy beans

Navy beans, also known as haricot beans or pea beans, are small, oval-shaped white beans. They have a mild flavor and a soft, creamy texture when cooked, making them perfect for pureeing into dips or thickening soups. While smaller and less plump than a mature butter bean, their tendency to become creamy and soft when cooked makes them a good substitute for texture in certain dishes. Navy beans have been a staple of the US Navy for generations, giving them their distinctive name.

Comparison table: Butter beans vs. lookalikes


Feature	Mature Butter Beans (Lima Beans)	Cannellini Beans	Great Northern Beans	Navy Beans
Appearance	Large, flat, kidney-shaped; pale white or speckled	Large, kidney-shaped; white	Medium, flattened oval; white	Small, oval; white
Texture	Creamy, very soft, and buttery when cooked	Firm yet creamy; holds shape well	Mildly nutty; holds shape well	Soft, creamy, and mild; breaks down easily
Flavor	Mild, creamy, and earthy	Earthy, nutty	Mild, nutty	Mild
Culinary Use	Soups, stews, mashed side dishes	Soups, salads, stews	Soups, stews, cassoulets	Soups, purées, baked beans

Other beans with similar attributes

While less common as direct lookalikes, other beans share characteristics with butter beans:

Fava Beans: Also called broad beans, they are a springtime crop with a tender texture and a nutty, slightly bitter flavor that fades as they cook. They are a bit more labor-intensive to prepare due to their tough outer skin.
Gigantes Beans: These are a large, white variety of lima bean popular in Greece, where they are traditionally baked in a rich tomato sauce. They are a perfect example of a larger butter bean variety.
Heirloom Varieties: Beyond the standard varieties, numerous heirloom types of lima/butter beans exist, often with unique markings and flavors. Examples include the 'Christmas Lima' with its beautiful maroon and white streaks, or the 'Jackson Wonder Bush' bean, known for its speckled pattern.

Conclusion

The primary bean that looks like a butter bean is the lima bean, because they are the same thing, just named differently depending on geographic location and maturity. However, other white beans, such as cannellini, great northern, and navy beans, also bear a visual resemblance but offer different textures and flavors that can impact a recipe. By understanding the nuances between these varieties, cooks can choose the right bean for their desired outcome, whether it's a creamy, buttery dish or a hearty stew with intact beans. Ultimately, the next time you encounter a bean that looks like a butter bean, you'll know it might just be a lima, or perhaps one of its close white-bean relatives, ready for its culinary debut.

For more information on the wide world of legumes, explore resources like the Bob's Red Mill guide to Fava Beans vs. Lima Beans, which offers a deeper dive into these similar-looking beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, lima beans and butter beans are the same legume, scientifically known as Phaseolus lunatus. The difference in name is primarily based on regional location (lima bean is more common in the US outside the South, butter bean is common in the American South and UK) and the bean's maturity level.

While both are white beans, cannellini beans are generally firmer and hold their shape better after cooking than butter beans. Butter beans become creamier and softer, while cannellini beans have a more robust, earthy flavor.

Yes, you can substitute great northern beans for butter beans, especially in dishes like stews and soups. Great northern beans will hold their shape better, so the texture of the finished dish will be less creamy than one made with butter beans.

Baby lima beans are simply the younger, less mature version of the same plant that produces butter beans. They are smaller and greener, whereas mature butter beans are larger and pale white or beige.

Gigantes beans are a very large, white variety of lima bean, or butter bean. They are famously used in Greek baked bean dishes called gigantes plaki.

The 'butter' in butter beans refers to the rich, creamy, and smooth texture they develop when cooked. The name is a direct result of this delicious characteristic.

No, not all white beans look like butter beans. While cannellini, great northern, and navy beans are also white, they differ in size, shape, and overall appearance. These differences affect how they are best used in various recipes.