Great Northern Beans: 9 Best Ways to Substitute
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There’s nothing worse than being halfway through a recipe only to realize you’re missing a key ingredient. For us, it’s often a can of Great Northern beans for a comforting soup. But as we’ve learned from cooking in kitchens all over the world, a missing ingredient is just an opportunity for a delicious discovery.
Quick Guide to Bean Substitutes
- Top 3 Substitutes: Cannellini, Navy, and Butter Beans are your best bets for similar flavor and texture.
- Quick Comparison Table: Jump straight to our chart to find the perfect bean for your dish.
- Family-Tested Tips: Real-world advice on how to use each substitute effectively.
- Dietary Options: Find the best swaps for low-carb, keto, and other diets.
Great Northern beans are prized for their mild, nutty flavor and creamy texture that holds up beautifully in soups and stews. But whether you’ve run out or need an alternative for dietary reasons, your pantry is likely already stocked with a perfect substitute. This guide will walk you through our 9 favorite family-tested replacements to keep your meals hearty and delicious.
Why This Guide is Different
Most guides just list alternatives. We share the substitutes our family has actually used while cooking in kitchens all over the world. These recommendations are based on real-world results, from making simple family stews to more adventurous dishes, and are all approved by our toughest critic, our son Victor!
What Are Great Northern Beans?
Great Northern beans are medium-sized white beans known for their delicate, nutty flavor and firm but creamy texture. They hold their shape exceptionally well during cooking, which makes them a star ingredient in slow-cooked recipes like cassoulet, white chili, and hearty soups where you want the beans to remain intact.
Nutritional Benefits
- High in plant-based protein – Ideal for vegetarian and vegan diets.
- Excellent source of fiber – Supports digestion and helps you feel full longer.
- Packed with essential minerals – Rich in iron, magnesium, and folate.
- Low in fat and naturally gluten-free – A great choice for healthy eating.
As the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes, legumes like these are powerhouses for heart health and overall longevity.
Great Northern Bean Substitutes: A Quick Comparison
In a hurry? Use this table to find the best substitute for your needs.
| Substitute | Best For | Flavor Profile | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannellini Beans | Overall Best | Nutty, Mild | Creamy, Firm |
| Navy Beans | Creamy Dishes | Mild | Soft, Powdery |
| Butter Beans | Richer Flavor | Buttery, Sweet | Very Creamy |
| Chickpeas | Salads & Bowls | Nutty | Firm, Dense |
| Pinto Beans | Mexican Dishes | Earthy, Sweet | Creamy (when mashed) |
| Black-Eyed Peas | Southern Dishes | Earthy | Creamy, Firm |
| Kidney Beans | Hearty Stews | Sweet | Meaty, Firm |
| Lima Beans | Creamy Texture | Buttery | Starchy, Creamy |
| Black Soybeans | Low-Carb / Keto | Mild | Firm, Creamy |
The 9 Best Substitutes for Great Northern Beans
1. Cannellini Beans – Best Overall Substitute
Why It Works: Cannellini beans (or white kidney beans) are our top choice. They’re slightly larger and creamier but share that same mild, nutty flavor. They hold their shape perfectly, so you can swap them into any dish without anyone noticing the difference.
Best Used In: Soups, stews, casseroles, and Italian dishes like minestrone.
Our Family’s Experience: A simple soup of cannellini beans, rosemary, and good olive oil is one of the most comforting meals we know. It’s a classic combination that never fails.
Why It Works: Navy beans are smaller and softer, and they break down more easily when cooked. This makes them the perfect choice when you want to create a thick, creamy soup, dip, or puree without much effort.
Best Used In: Baked beans, white chili, and thick, creamy stews.
Our Family’s Experience: We rely on navy beans for making classic baked beans from scratch. Their ability to become super creamy is unmatched for that authentic texture.
3. Butter Beans (Lima Beans) – Best for a Richer Flavor
Why It Works: True to their name, butter beans have a wonderfully rich, buttery flavor and an incredibly creamy texture. They’re larger and can make any dish feel more luxurious.
Best Used In: Slow-cooked stews, casseroles, and hearty purees.
Our Family’s Experience: We once had a fantastic stew made with butter beans, tomatoes, and dill. Now we make it at home whenever we want a taste of a simple, rustic meal.
4. Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans) – Best for Firm Texture
Why It Works: Chickpeas are firmer and denser, so they won’t break down in soups. They provide a satisfying, nutty bite that works well in salads and grain bowls where you want more texture.
Best Used In: Hummus, grain bowls, curries, and Mediterranean dishes.
Our Family’s Experience: From hearty tagines to fragrant curries, chickpeas are a staple in our kitchen. They’re incredibly versatile and soak up spices beautifully.
5. Pinto Beans – Best for Mexican-Inspired Dishes
Why It Works: While they have a different color, pinto beans have a wonderfully earthy, slightly sweet flavor. When mashed, they become incredibly creamy, making them a fantastic substitute in dishes like refried beans or thick chili.
Best Used In: Refried beans, chili, burritos, and hearty soups.
Our Family’s Experience: We’ve learned that a good pot of pinto beans is the heart of so many comforting meals. They bring an authentic, earthy flavor you can’t replicate.
6. Black-Eyed Peas – Best for Southern & Earthy Flavors
Why It Works: Black-eyed peas have a distinctly earthy flavor but share a similar creaminess once cooked. They hold their shape well, adding a unique taste to salads and stews.
Best Used In: Hoppin’ John, salads, and Southern-style soups.
Our Family’s Experience: We first tried these in a simple salad and were hooked. They have a unique flavor that’s both earthy and comforting.
7. Kidney Beans – Best for Hearty Stews & Chili
Why It Works: Kidney beans are firm, meaty, and hold their shape better than almost any other bean. Their slightly sweet flavor is perfect for absorbing the rich, spicy flavors of a classic chili or a three-bean salad.
Best Used In: Chili, three-bean salads, and robust casseroles.
Our Family’s Experience: No chili is complete without kidney beans for us. Their robust texture means they never get mushy, even after hours of simmering.
8. Lima Beans – Best for Buttery Creaminess
Why It Works: Lima beans (often the same as butter beans) are prized for their buttery flavor and starchy, creamy texture, making them a great stand-in when creaminess is your top priority.
Best Used In: Succotash, casseroles, and creamy soups.
Our Family’s Experience: Victor was skeptical of lima beans at first, but a creamy succotash made him a believer. Their buttery texture won him over completely.
9. Black Soybeans – Best for Low-Carb & Keto Diets
Why It Works: This is our secret weapon for low-carb cooking. Black soybeans have a surprisingly mild flavor and firm texture very similar to other beans, but with a fraction of the net carbs. They are a fantastic substitute in almost any recipe.
Best Used In: Keto-friendly stews, low-carb salads, and baked dishes.
Our Family’s Experience: When we need a bean fix without the carbs, these are our go-to. They work amazingly well in a low-carb version of chili.
Find Your Perfect Bean Substitute
Not sure which to choose? Answer one question to get our family’s top recommendation for your meal.
Our Family’s Go-To Kitchen Tools for Perfect Beans
For Perfect Portions: Etekcity Food Scale
When a recipe calls for dried beans, guessing the amount can lead to a watery or overly thick dish. We rely on this simple Etekcity digital scale to measure by weight, not volume, which guarantees our stews have the perfect consistency every single time. It’s one of the most-used tools in our kitchen.
For Fast Prep: Hamilton Beach Mini Chopper
So many of our favorite bean recipes start with a base of finely chopped onion, garlic, and herbs. To save time and tears (literally!), we use this compact chopper. It gets everything perfectly minced in seconds, which means more time enjoying the meal and less time prepping.
For Incredible Flavor: Magnifique Mortar and Pestle
The secret to unlocking incredible flavor in dishes like our spicy pinto beans is using freshly ground spices. The difference between pre-ground and fresh is night and day. We use a sturdy mortar and pestle to crush whole cumin and coriander seeds, releasing their aromatic oils and transforming the entire dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but they are very similar and our top substitute! Cannellini beans are slightly larger and have a creamier, nuttier flavor, but they work perfectly in any recipe that calls for Great Northern beans.
Cannellini beans are the best overall substitute for soup because they hold their shape well while still being creamy. Navy beans are a close second, especially if you want a thicker, creamier soup base.
Black soybeans are the best low-carb substitute. They have a surprisingly similar mild flavor and texture but are significantly lower in net carbs, making them perfect for keto-friendly stews and salads.
No, you can substitute any of these beans using a 1:1 ratio. If your recipe calls for one 15-ounce can of Great Northern beans, you can use one 15-ounce can of cannellini beans, navy beans, or any other substitute.
About the Author
Oliver is a family food storyteller who learned about global cuisine during his family’s travels to over 50 countries. With his wife Natalia and son Victor, he adapts authentic recipes for the modern family kitchen. Their journey is about connecting with cultures through food and making international flavors accessible for everyone. Currently calling Thailand home, they continue to explore the rich culinary landscape of Southeast Asia.
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