Are Gigante Beans The Same As Butter Beans? Unraveling The Legume Mystery
Beans are a pantry staple in many cuisines around the world. From chickpeas to black beans canned to dried these legumes pack a nutritious punch. However, with so many varieties filling the shelves, it can get confusing. In particular, many home cooks find themselves wondering – are gigante beans the same as butter beans?
While they may look similar, gigante and butter beans are two distinct legumes. Understanding the differences is key to selecting the right bean for your recipe. This article will uncover the facts about these two beans, from appearance and taste to nutrition and best uses. Read on to solve the legume mystery once and for all!
Appearance And Size
The first clear difference between gigante and butter beans is their appearance. Gigante beans are characteristically large, which is how they earned the nickname “elephant beans”. They are oval-shaped and white in color, ranging from 0.5 to 1 inch long when dried.
Meanwhile, butter beans have a flatter, kidney shape. They come in a pale yellow hue and are smaller than gigante beans, averaging around 0.25 to 0.5 inches in length when dried. The smooth, velvety texture of butter beans gives them a creamy look, which contrasts with the more matte exterior of gigante beans.
Taste And Texture
When cooked, gigante and butter beans offer slightly different taste and texture profiles. Gigante beans have a dense, starchy interior encased in a delicate skin. Their flavor is mild and earthy, making them perfect for soaking up rich sauces in dishes like soups and casseroles.
Butter beans live up to their name with a smooth creamy texture reminiscent of butter. They hold their shape better than gigante beans when cooked. Their taste is also sweeter and more delicate than the hearty gigante bean.
Nutrition And Health Benefits
Like most beans, both gigante and butter beans are high in protein and fiber. However, there are some small differences in their nutritional makeup.
Per cup, cooked gigante beans contain:
- 115 calories
- 7.4g protein
- 0.1g fat
- 20.4g carbs
- 9.5g fiber
Meanwhile, butter beans offer:
- 162 calories
- 6.1g protein
- 0.8g fat
- 28.5g carbs
- 7.8g fiber
While butter beans are higher in calories, gigante beans edge them out when it comes to protein and fiber content. Both provide minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus as well. In terms of health benefits, adding these beans to your diet can improve digestion, stabilize blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol and promote heart health.
Culinary Uses
When it comes to cooking, gigante and butter beans shine in some of the same Mediterranean and Southern recipes. However, their differing textures mean some dishes work better with one bean over the other.
The large size and starchy interior of gigante beans makes them ideal for baked bean recipes and thicker purees. They hold their shape beautifully in soups and salads as well. Meanwhile, the smooth, creamy butter bean works better for refried bean dishes, dips, pot pies and potato salads where a little creaminess is desired.
While they work well in many of the same cultural cuisines, from Italian to Southern cooking, swapping one for the other can throw off the texture of a dish. Consider the final use when deciding which bean to select.
Availability And Cost
When shopping, you’ll find gigante beans have a more limited availability compared to butter beans. As an imported specialty bean, they are primarily found in ethnic markets or purchased online. Butter beans have become commonplace, found affordably in most grocery stores.
Due to supply and demand, gigante beans come with a higher price tag. On average, they can cost up to $1-2 more per pound compared to butter beans. However, their unique texture makes them worth the splurge for certain recipes.
The Verdict
While they share some similarities, gigante beans and butter beans shouldn’t be used interchangeably. Their varying textures and subtle flavor differences make each bean better suited for certain recipes and culinary uses. Gigante beans work well in baked dishes and hearty purees, while the delicate and creamy butter bean shines in dips, pot pies and casseroles.
The next time a recipe calls for one or the other, take texture and flavor into account. Reach for gigante beans when you want a big, starchy bean to hold its shape. Choose smooth and creamy butter beans when you want a little extra richness without the mealy texture. With this bean breakdown in mind, you can pick the perfect legume for every recipe.
2 Vegan Shortcut Brothy Beans
If you want something quick, easy, and nourishing, check out this delicious recipe for a hearty bean broth. Gigante beans, which can easily be swapped in, will taste delicious alongside fresh thyme, garlic, and leafy greens. Make sure to serve with grilled crusty bread for maximum enjoyment. Get the recipe.
What are gigante beans?
Big lima beans, also called butter beans, are what gigante beans are. They’re a little different from the types you’d find in the US, though. And that’s because they are grown in Greece, in the northwest of the country in regions like Prespes. They are large, flat, and incredibly creamy, with a mild, nutty flavor. Most often, they are used in gigantes plaki, but they can also be added to a lot of different casseroles, stews, and salads.
Vegan Cocotte
Which Should You Be Growing | Lima Beans OR Butter Beans
FAQ
Are gigantes the same as butter beans?
What is another name for gigante beans?
What is a substitute for gigantes beans?
What bean is the same as a butter bean?
Are Gigante beans a good substitute for butter beans?
“Because these beans are flatter and wider, they really draw the eye.” Proper gigante beans can be tricky to track down, but Amazon is a great resource for dried gigantes. Butter beans and corona beans are also excellent, inexpensive substitutions.
Where to buy Gigante beans?
Canned gigante beans: They may also be labeled as butter beans, giant white beans, or large lima beans. If you’re wondering where to buy gigante beans, you can find them in the canned beans section of most grocery stores, specialty food stores with Greek or Italian items, or online.
Are Gigante beans vegetarian?
Gigante beans, also known as Greek giant beans or butter beans, are the star of the show in this easy vegetarian recipe! Simmered in a pool of diced tomatoes and plenty of garlic and finished with chopped kale and crumbled feta, these beans are so flavorful and nourishing. They make the perfect one-pan skillet meal for a busy night!
What are butter beans called?
Butter beans go by other names, as well. Thomas Jefferson favored sieva beans, an heirloom lima bean variety. Greek gigante beans are also a type of dried lima beans. In India, dried limas are called double beans.