Which beans have the least amount of potassium?

November 26, 2025 •

4 min read

With half a cup of cooked green peas containing only around 88 mg of potassium, finding the beans with the least amount of potassium is crucial for those managing specific dietary needs, particularly kidney health. Navigating dietary restrictions can be challenging, but many flavorful and nutritious bean varieties are available that fit into a low-potassium meal plan.

Quick Summary

Green peas and garbanzo beans are among the lowest-potassium bean options, while preparation methods like soaking and rinsing can significantly reduce mineral content in other varieties. Learning the best bean choices and preparation techniques is key for managing a low-potassium diet effectively.

Key Points

Lowest Potassium Beans: Frozen green peas are the lowest in potassium, followed by garbanzo beans and fava beans.
Canned is Cleaner: Canned beans, when drained and rinsed, have significantly less potassium than home-cooked dried beans.
Preparation is Key: Soaking dried beans overnight and cooking them in fresh, abundant water can dramatically lower their potassium levels.
High-Potassium Examples: Beans like lima, kidney, and pinto naturally contain more potassium, requiring careful portion control for restrictive diets.
Renal Diet Advantage: The phosphorus in beans is less bioavailable than in animal proteins, making beans a suitable option for managing both potassium and phosphorus.
Overall Health Benefits: Despite potassium content, beans offer vital fiber, protein, and other nutrients that support heart, metabolic, and gut health.

Understanding Potassium in Beans

Potassium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in maintaining proper heart function, muscle contractions, and fluid balance. However, for individuals with certain health conditions, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), managing potassium intake is critical. While many beans are known for being high in this mineral, a few varieties stand out as being naturally lower, and specific preparation techniques can reduce their potassium content even further.

Beans are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and other nutrients, making them a cornerstone of many healthy diets. For those on a restricted diet, it's important to know which types offer these benefits with the least amount of potassium.

The Lowest Potassium Bean Options

When comparing different bean varieties, some clearly contain less potassium per serving. These can be excellent choices for individuals needing to monitor their intake.

Green Peas (Frozen): A standout option, frozen green peas are exceptionally low in potassium, with a half-cup serving containing approximately 88 mg. They are versatile and can be added to soups, salads, and side dishes.
Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas): These popular legumes are a moderate-to-low potassium choice. A half-cup of cooked garbanzo beans contains about 173 mg of potassium, and they are also a great source of fiber and protein.
Canned Beans (Drained and Rinsed): For nearly all types of beans, choosing the canned version and then thoroughly draining and rinsing them under running water can reduce the potassium and sodium content significantly. A study cited by Kidney Foodie shows this can reduce potassium by 30-40%. This makes even higher-potassium beans more accessible.
Fava Beans: Cooked fava beans are another moderate-to-low option. A half-cup serving contains around 228 mg of potassium.

Comparison of Potassium in Common Beans

To better illustrate the differences, here is a comparison table of potassium content for various beans. The values represent a standard half-cup serving of cooked beans.


Bean Type	Potassium (mg per ½ cup cooked)	Notes
Green Peas	~88 mg	One of the lowest options, especially when frozen.
Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)	~173 mg	Moderate potassium, widely available.
Fava Beans	~228 mg	Moderate potassium, can be a good choice.
Black Beans	~305 mg	Higher potassium than green peas or chickpeas.
Kidney Beans	~356 mg	Contains a notable amount of potassium.
Pinto Beans	~372 mg	Higher on the potassium scale among common beans.
Lima Beans	~437 mg	One of the highest potassium options; limit portion size.

Preparation Methods to Reduce Potassium

For those who enjoy beans with higher natural potassium levels, specific cooking and preparation techniques can help reduce the mineral content. This is particularly useful for dried beans.

Soaking: Soak dried beans in a large bowl of water for 12 hours or overnight. Use a generous amount of water to allow the potassium to leach out effectively.
Draining: After soaking, discard the soaking water. Do not use it for cooking, as it will contain a high concentration of potassium.
Rinsing: Rinse the soaked beans thoroughly with fresh water before cooking.
Boiling: Cook the beans in fresh, ample water. Some sources suggest changing the water halfway through cooking for maximum potassium reduction.
Draining Again: After cooking, drain the beans thoroughly. Again, do not use the cooking water for sauces or broths.

Benefits of Including Beans in a Renal-Friendly Diet

Even with the need to monitor potassium, beans offer unique advantages for kidney health. The phosphorus in beans is bound to phytates, making it less readily absorbed by the body compared to phosphorus from animal sources or additives. This means that for individuals managing both potassium and phosphorus, beans can be a better choice than some animal proteins.

Beans are also packed with fiber, which helps promote a healthy gut and can lead to slower disease progression in people with CKD. The fiber and plant-based protein content can also aid in weight management and improve blood sugar control. While the potassium in beans must be considered, their overall health benefits make them a valuable addition to many diets, with careful preparation and portion control.

For more detailed guidance on selecting and preparing beans for a kidney-friendly diet, you can refer to resources like the Kidney Foodie Low Potassium and Low Phosphorus Beans guide.

Conclusion

While many beans contain higher levels of potassium, options like green peas and garbanzo beans are naturally lower and safe for most low-potassium diets. By utilizing simple preparation methods like soaking, draining, and rinsing, the potassium content of most canned and dried beans can be significantly reduced, allowing them to be incorporated into a balanced meal plan. With mindful portion control and proper technique, individuals with dietary restrictions can enjoy the many nutritional benefits of beans without compromising their health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frozen green peas are generally considered to have the lowest potassium content among common beans, with a half-cup cooked serving containing only about 88 mg.

Yes, canned beans can have a lower potassium content than dried beans cooked from scratch, especially when they are thoroughly drained and rinsed. The canning process and subsequent rinsing leaches out some of the potassium.

To reduce potassium in dried beans, soak them in water for at least 12 hours, discard the soaking water, and then cook them in a fresh pot of water. Using a generous amount of water during cooking helps leach out more potassium.

Beans naturally high in potassium that should be limited or carefully portioned include lima beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans.

Yes, rinsing canned beans is a very effective and simple step to reduce potassium content. This process can reduce the mineral by 30-40%.

Yes, beans can be part of a kidney-friendly diet with proper preparation and portion control. The phosphorus in beans is less absorbed than from animal products, making them a good option when managed correctly.

The bioavailability of phosphorus and potassium from beans is different than from other sources. Soaking, draining, and rinsing beans reduces their mineral content, and the plant-based nature of beans means the minerals are absorbed less efficiently by the body.