What Beans Are Similar to Lima Beans?

December 20, 2025 •

4 min read

Lima beans, known for their creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor, are a staple in many cuisines, but what happens when you can't find them? Fortunately, several beans share a similar taste and texture, making them excellent substitutes.

Quick Summary

Several legumes offer similar creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor, making them ideal lima bean substitutes. Top alternatives include cannellini beans, great northern beans, and fava beans, each suitable for different recipes.

Key Points

Cannellini Beans: Offer a creamy texture and nutty flavor, making them ideal for soups and stews.
Great Northern Beans: Provide a firm texture that holds up well, perfect for casseroles and roasts.
Navy Beans: Soften significantly when cooked, making them excellent for creamy sauces and baked beans.
Fava Beans: A great substitute for fresh limas, offering a similar mild, earthy flavor for salads and side dishes.
Edamame: Best for mimicking the fresh, green flavor of baby limas in salads and stir-fries.
Adjust Cooking Time: Substitutes have different cooking times, so check for tenderness to avoid over- or under-cooking.

Understanding the Lima Bean Flavor Profile

Before exploring substitutes, it's helpful to understand what makes lima beans unique. They belong to the species Phaseolus lunatus and are sometimes called butter beans, particularly in the American South and the United Kingdom. This nickname hints at their creamy, buttery texture and mild flavor. Lima beans can be found fresh, frozen, or dried, and their texture can range from soft and starchy (baby limas) to rich and velvety (dried mature limas). The best substitute depends on whether you need a similar flavor, texture, or both for your dish.

Top Alternatives to Lima Beans

1. Cannellini Beans

These large, white kidney beans are a standout alternative, known for their nutty flavor and soft, creamy interior. Their tender texture holds up well in soups, stews, and salads. The flavor is a bit less buttery than a lima bean, but they are a very close match in texture, especially when simmered slowly.

2. Great Northern Beans

Slightly smaller than cannellini beans, great northern beans have a delicate flavor and a firm yet creamy texture. They are especially well-suited for dishes where you need the beans to retain their shape, such as casseroles or French-style cassoulets. Their light flavor also means they readily absorb the flavors of other ingredients in a dish, much like limas.

3. Navy Beans

As one of the smallest white beans, navy beans are creamy and mild, absorbing flavors easily. While they tend to become softer and more puréed than limas, they are an excellent choice for baked bean recipes or creamy bean dips where a velvety consistency is desired. They are the go-to substitute in many Southern baked bean recipes.

4. Fava Beans

For fresh lima bean substitutes, fava beans are a great option. Also known as broad beans, they have a mild, slightly sweet, and earthy taste, similar to edamame. They can be used similarly to fresh baby limas, though they often require a double-shelling process to remove the tough outer skin. This extra step is worth it for their delicate flavor and creamy texture.

5. Edamame

If you need a green, fresh-tasting alternative, edamame is a simple choice. These immature soybeans have a similar fresh, green flavor and firm texture to fresh or frozen baby limas. While they are rounder and less starchy, they work well in salads or side dishes where you want a pop of green and a mild, vegetable-like taste.

Comparison Table: Lima Bean Alternatives


Bean Alternative	Flavor Profile	Texture	Best For...
Cannellini Beans	Nutty, earthy	Creamy, tender	Soups, stews, hearty salads
Great Northern Beans	Delicate, mild	Firm, holds shape well	Casseroles, roasts, side dishes
Navy Beans	Mild	Soft, creamy	Baked beans, purees, dips
Fava Beans	Mild, sweet, earthy	Soft, creamy (after shelling)	Salads, side dishes
Edamame	Mild, green, fresh	Firm	Salads, stir-fries

Using Substitutes Effectively

When using any of these substitutes, a few simple adjustments can ensure a successful outcome. The cooking time will vary depending on the type and whether the bean is dried, canned, or frozen. For dried beans, soaking overnight or using a pressure cooker can significantly reduce cooking time. Remember that navy beans will cook down more than cannellini beans, so adjust your timing accordingly to achieve your desired texture. Seasoning is also key; the mild flavor of these beans means they will easily take on the spices and herbs of your recipe, so don't be afraid to season them generously.

Conclusion

While lima beans are a unique and versatile legume, their buttery flavor and creamy texture can be replicated by a number of other beans. Whether you choose the nutty cannellini bean for a hearty stew, the delicate great northern bean for a casserole, or the fresh-tasting edamame for a salad, there are plenty of excellent options available. By considering the flavor and texture of these alternatives, you can confidently make a substitution without compromising the quality of your dish. Exploring these different types not only expands your culinary repertoire but also ensures you're never without a suitable bean for your recipe.

For more detailed information on different bean varieties and their uses, consider resources from reputable culinary schools and food publications. For example, MasterClass offers a helpful guide on various white beans, which can provide further insights into their characteristics and applications.

Optional Recipes

Here are some simple ideas to get you started with lima bean alternatives:

Cannellini Bean Soup: Sauté onions, garlic, and carrots. Add vegetable broth and a can of cannellini beans. Simmer until the beans are tender. Season with herbs like rosemary and thyme.
Great Northern Bean Salad: Toss cooked and cooled great northern beans with chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, red onion, and a lemon-herb vinaigrette.
Creamy Navy Bean Dip: Blend cooked navy beans with garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and tahini for a smooth, hummus-like dip.
Fava Bean and Mint Bruschetta: Shell and blanch fava beans. Mash them gently with olive oil, lemon zest, and fresh mint. Spoon over toasted bread.
Edamame and Corn Succotash: Sauté fresh or frozen edamame and corn with a little butter and season with salt and pepper for a vibrant side dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, butter beans are the exact same species (Phaseolus lunatus) as lima beans. The name difference is primarily a geographical distinction; "butter beans" is common in the Southern U.S. and the UK, while "lima beans" is more widespread elsewhere.

Cannellini beans are an excellent choice for soups and stews due to their similar creamy texture and ability to stand up to long cooking times without falling apart entirely.

While green beans and lima beans are both legumes, they have very different flavors and textures. Green beans are crisp and mild, while lima beans are starchy and creamy. They are not a suitable substitute if you need the creamy texture of a lima bean.

Cannellini beans, great northern beans, and fava beans are all excellent choices for vegan or vegetarian recipes that call for lima beans. They provide similar protein, fiber, and texture.

Yes, it is best practice to soak most dried bean varieties, including cannellini, great northern, and navy beans, before cooking. This helps to reduce cooking time and ensure a tender texture.

Both are nutritious, but they have slight differences. Cannellini beans have slightly more protein and fat, while lima beans contain more fiber. Overall, both are healthy sources of protein, fiber, and various minerals.

You can, but the result will be different. Chickpeas have a nuttier, firmer texture than the creamier lima bean. They work well in recipes like salads or stews where a firmer texture is acceptable, but they won't mimic the buttery smoothness.