14 Borlotti Beans Substitutes That Will Impress Europeans

Borlotti beans may be found in a variety of Italian and Portuguese cuisines, including stewed beans with olive oil and tomato, Borlotti beans and pumpkin farro soup, and Feijao a Portuguesa, or Portuguese beans. Borlotti beans are often offered shelled and dry. Before cooking, soak these beans in water for at least an hour.

Borlotti beans are a speciality commodity in the United States, thus finding alternatives may be challenging.

Borlotti beans have a mild taste and thin peel; hence, alternatives should have comparable features. Here are a few examples:

1. Kidney Beans
2. Pinto Beans
3. Navy Beans
4. Cannellini Beans
5. Great Northern Beans
6. Chickpeas
7. Lentils
8. Black Turtle Beans
9. Black-Eyed Peas

If you want to understand more about this ubiquitous ingredient used in European recipes, keep reading.

14 Best Substitute For Borlotti Beans 

Borlotti bean is a legume that is regarded the most colorful and beautiful bean in the family. Cranberry beans is another name for it.

The Borlotti bean is speckled with red, brown, beige, and pink hues, as opposed to its nearest cousin, the kidney bean, which is smooth and single-colored. However, when cooked, these colors become light brown. [Source]

There is no need to soak fresh Borlotti beans, but they should still be shelled. Borlotti beans are pricier than other beans and are considered a specialty item in the United States.

Borlotti beans, like cannellini beans, have a rich creamy taste and are members of the kidney bean family. The meals will also have a nutty sweetness to them. Borlotti beans are creamy in texture. They taste great hot, cold, at room temperature, or in a salad.

Borlotti beans have several advantages. Beans, for example, are high in fiber, which may help prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, digestive problems, and heart disease. They also contain a lot of protein. They are also useful in avoiding diabetes since they help manage elevated blood sugar levels. [Source]

Kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans, cannellini beans, and Great Northern beans are at the top of our list of replacements.

Kidney Beans

Borlotti beans are their near cousins, as previously said. Kidney beans are larger than Borlotti beans and may substantially enhance the taste of your foods. They are kidney-shaped, as the name indicates. They are ovals with one side bent. When cooked, kidney beans keep their form.

They are ideal Borlotti bean alternatives since they have a comparable texture, flavor, and health advantages. They may be used in salads and chili con carne. They are ideal for preparing dips because to their sweet and mild flavor and soft and silky texture.

They are more common in stores than Borlotti beans.

Use one part kidney beans for every one part Borlotti beans in the recipe.

Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are also good alternatives for Borlotti beans. They are always accessible in practically every grocery. They are the most often utilized beans in American and Mexican cuisines.

Pinto beans have a moderate taste, a sweet and somewhat nutty flavor, and a creamy texture. Pinto beans may be cooked in the same manner as Borlotti beans are.

If you purchased dry pinto beans, soak them in water overnight before cooking. Dried pinto beans have a stronger taste than canned types.

They go well with chicken, ground meat, and veggies. Use an equal quantity of pinto beans for every cup of Borlotti beans in the recipe.

Navy Beans

Navy beans are little white beans that may be used in place of Borlotti beans. They’re most typically seen in soups and baked beans. Many people serve them as a side dish with ham hock dishes.

Because of their moderate taste and size, they make an excellent alternative for Borlotti. They’re delicious, and you can use the same ingredients to prepare Borlotti beans. Navy beans are also a tasty dip for chips.

They’re popular in Spanish and Mexican cooking. For your recipe, you may substitute one cup of Borlotti beans for one cup of navy beans.

Cannellini Beans

Cannellini beans, while not a popular form of kidney bean, are an acceptable alternative for Borlotti beans. They have a white color. They are bigger than Borlotti beans and may not be appropriate for Borlotti bean recipes if size is an issue.

Cannellini beans, on the other hand, have a comparable texture and taste to Borlotti beans. They both have a little nutty taste and a creamy texture.

Cannellini beans go well with soups, bean dips, strews, chili, and refried beans. These beans are often used in Italian cooking. They include a lot of vitamin C, fiber, and magnesium.

The optimal ratio is one to one. Use one cup of cannellini beans for every cup of Borlotti beans in the recipe.

Great Northern Beans

Great Northern beans are medium-sized white beans that are an excellent substitute for Borlotti beans. Gigante beans are another name for these beans. They are somewhat bigger than navy beans and slightly smaller than cannellini beans.

They have solid meat and a mellow, nutty taste. They are most effective in stews, casseroles, and soups. They are often used in French cuisine.

You may readily get them in dried or canned form at your local grocery shop. Use one cup of Great Northern beans for every cup of Borlotti beans in the recipe.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas are not often used as substitutes for Borlotti beans, but we suggest them since they taste similar despite their varied colors and textures. Because they are widely accessible in most supermarkets, they are an excellent replacement for Borlotti.

Because chickpeas are not as smooth as Borlotti beans, they take more time to cook. They go well in salads, soups, and stews. They may also be combined to form bean paste, which can be served as a side dish.

Use one cup of chickpeas for every cup of Borlotti beans called for in the recipe.

Lentils

Lentils, which have a similar taste profile to Borlotti beans, may also be used as an alternative. They may vary in texture and size, but once cooked, you will never know the difference. Lentils, like chickpeas, vary in flavor depending on their hue or type.

Green lentils have a peppery flavor, red lentils are sweet, and brown lentils have an earthy flavor. These brown lentils are an excellent substitute for Borlotti beans.

Lentils are widely accessible and inexpensive. These beans are both adaptable and nourishing. They may be used to make soups, stews, salads, and savory meat meals. They may also be served as an appetizer or as a side dish.

You may use one cup of lentils for one cup of Borlotti beans in your recipe.

Black Turtle Beans

Black turtle beans, which resemble a shell, are prominent in Caribbean, Mexican, and Latin American cuisines. Borlotti beans have the same nutty and robust flavor as these beans.

However, since black turtle beans have a crusty and stiff shell, you may need to modify the cooking time or heat. These beans may be used to make refried beans, bean soups, burritos, and enchiladas, among other things. Black turtle beans may be cooked or steamed to add flavor to a variety of meals.

Black turtle beans provide a unique aspect to recipes due to their dark color, yet they have a creamy texture. Both black turtle beans and Borlotti beans are cooked in the same manner. The replacement ratio is one to one.

Black-Eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas are one of the most popular forms of beans, and they are widely available in shops. They are often utilized in the southern states.

Black-eyed peas have a solid texture and a unique earthy taste. They work well in salads, stews, casseroles, and soups. They also work well as a side dish and in salads.

Black-eyed peas, like Borlotti beans, are creamy and earthy. The name comes from the fact that they are white beans with a black spot.

Use one cup of black-eyed peas for every cup of Borlotti beans in your recipe.

Butter Beans

Because of their mild, buttery flavor and creamy texture, butter beans are an excellent substitute for Borlotti beans. You may replace them for Borlotti in stew, soup, and casserole recipes.

They also make a tasty side dish for meat entrees and may be mixed into salads.

In your recipe, substitute one cup of dried Borlotti beans with one cup of dried butter beans.

Flageolet Beans

Flageolet beans are another suitable option for cranberry beans since they have the same mild taste and creamy texture. Flageolet beans, like Borlotti beans, keep their form well when cooked.

You may replace them in soups, stews, and salads, as well as in meals that need the beans to keep their form.

One cup of Borlotti beans may be substituted with one cup of flageolet beans.

Fava Beans

Borlotti beans have the same mild and nutty taste as fava beans. They both leave your food with a silky-smooth texture.

These creamy, substantial beans go wonderfully with spaghetti, casseroles, bean dips, and salads. Depending on your preferences or the requirements of the recipe, you may use either dried or fresh fava beans.

In your recipe, replace one cup of Borlotti beans with one cup of fava beans.

Anasazi Beans

Anasazi beans resemble kidney and Borlotti beans. They are a popular ingredient in Southwestern and Latin American cuisines.

Although Anasazi beans are smaller, they are nonetheless tasty. These beans are flexible since they may be used to replace not just Borlotti beans, but also pinto beans and kidney beans.

Because of their mild, sweet, and nutty qualities, they are great for refrying beans, baking, and flavoring cooked rice. Anasazi beans may be used as a topping or filler for nachos, tortillas, tacos, and burritos.

The ideal ratio is 1:1.

Lupini Beans

Lupini beans are a decent substitute for Borlotti beans. These little, beige-colored beans are popular in Mediterranean cooking. Because of their size, they are occasionally mistaken for maize kernels.

They have a somewhat bitter flavor due to the presence of alkaloids. Potatoes, coffee seeds, tomatoes, and other legumes also contain alkaloids. They taste salty and buttery. They provide a crunchy touch to foods.

Serve as a side dish or appetizer, or add to soups and stews. Use one cup of lupini beans for every cup of Borlotti beans.