Types of Beans

Beans are the dried seeds of various plants in the Fabaceae (or Leguminosae) family, which makes them legumes. Whether baked, stewed, or made into desserts, they are some of the most common staple foods popularly used in cuisines across the globe. Not only are they delicious, but beans are an excellent source of proteins, fibers, iron, and various vitamins and minerals.

Types of Beans

Table of Contents

Table Of Content

Table of Contents

List of Different Types of Beans

There are over 400 different types of beans, including all the species and their many hybrids and cultivars. Many of these are exclusively available in the regions where they are grown. Some are more commonly used as forage crops and farm animal fodder.

Here are the most recognized varieties of beans that are readily available in supermarkets, specialty stores, and online stores in the United States.

Name	Color	Protein/ 100g (cooked)	Carbs/ 100g (cooked)	Calories/ 100g (cooked)	Common Ways to Prepare
Pinto Beans	Speckled	1.9g	4g	143 kcal	Commonly used in refried beans, stews, and chili
Fava Beans (Fresh/Dried)	Green	7.6g	26g	111 kcal	Often used in purees, salads, and stews
Lima Beans (Fresh/Dried)	Green, white	7.8g	19g	115 kcal	Commonly used in succotash, soups, and stews
Kidney Beans	Red	9.7g	20.8g	127 kcal	Frequently used in chili, salads, and casseroles
Cannellini Beans (White Kidney Beans)	White	9.6g	20.8g	120 kcal	Often boiled and used in salads, pasta dishes, and purees
Great Northern Beans	White	8.6g	19.6g	100 kcal	Typically boiled and used in soups, stews, casseroles, and salads
Chickpeas (Garbanzo)	Beige, green	8.9g	14.5g	164 kcal	Commonly used in hummus, curries, salads, and roasted snacks
Lentils	Brown, red, green	9.0g	20g	116 kcal	Commonly used in soups, stews, salads, and curries
Navy beans	White	9.0g	26g	127 kcal	Commonly used in baked beans, soups, and stews
Soybeans (Dried/Fresh)	Yellow, green	16.6g	9.9g	173 kcal	Used for tofu, soy milk, salads, and soy-based products; Fresh beans with the pods are used to prepare edamame
Black-eyed peas	Pale cream	7.6g	18.3g	120 kcal	Popular in Southern dishes, salads, and stews
Black Beans	Black	8.9g	20.4g	132 kcal	Featured in black bean soup, salads, and burritos
Mung Beans	Green, yellow	7.0g	19g	105 kcal	Used in sprout salads, stir-fries, and soups
Red Beans	Red	8.7g	19.7g	127 kcal	A key ingredient in red beans and rice, various soups, and stews
Adzuki	Red	7.5g	17.5g	128 kcal	Used in sweetened red bean paste, soups, and desserts
Flageolet (Fayot) Beans	Green	9g	19g	110 kcal	Traditionally used in French cuisine, in dishes like cassoulet and salads
Cranberry Beans	Speckled	8.4g	19.9g	127 kcal	Featured in salads, casseroles, and soups
Pink Beans	Pink	8.7g	19.9g	126 kcal	Used in soups, chili, and stews
Jacob’s Cattle	Speckled	8.4g	19.9g	127 kcal	Typically used in soups, casseroles, and stews.
Anasazi Beans	Mottled red	9g	20g	135 kcal	Commonly used in Southwestern dishes, salads, and soups

As mentioned earlier, beans typically refer to the dried seeds of fruits from various leguminous plants. Some of these fruits are also enjoyed as vegetables when they are young, including both the seeds and the seed pods. A prime example of such edible fresh beans is green beans.

FAQ

1. What kind of beans are referred to as white beans?

You may have come across a bag of beans at the supermarket labeled simply as ‘White Beans.’ It usually refers to one of the four types of beans mentioned as ‘white’ in the above table. These are navy, cannellini, baby lima, and great northern beans.

2. How are canned and dried beans different?

Canned beans are just processed and preserved dried beans prepared to make them easier to serve and eat. Since they are already cooked, there is no need for soaking and boiling. However, it’s important to note that canned beans have a much shorter shelf life compared to dried beans, which essentially have no expiry date. Canned beans are also more expensive than dried beans.

3. Which types of beans have the highest fiber content?

Though beans are generally considered an excellent source of dietary fiber, kidney, navy, black, and pinto beans are some of the most fiber-rich varieties.