Are you about to follow a new recipe only to discover you’re out of borlotti beans? Do you know what you could use instead? The good news is that we will reveal the best substitutes for borlotti beans.
You have a few options for something that can work instead of borlotti beans. Below are the best options you have. You can click any of these to learn how they would work as a substitute.
1) Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are a popular variety, often used in chilli, soups, and salads. They are named for their visual resemblance to a kidney and have a robust flavour and soft texture when cooked.
Why It Works
Kidney beans are a substitute because they share a similar size, shape, and texture to borlotti beans. Their flavour profile is also quite similar, with a mildly sweet and full-bodied taste.
How to Substitute Borlotti Beans for Kidney Beans
Kidney beans can be swapped for borlotti beans in a 1:1 ratio. If a recipe calls for a cup of borlotti beans, use a cup of kidney beans instead.
Why It Wouldn’t Work Well
While their size and texture are pretty similar, kidney beans have a slightly stronger flavour than the beans’ more delicate, nutty flavour of borlotti beans. This could slightly alter the taste of your dish.
Our Tip
If you’re using canned kidney beans as a substitute, rinse them thoroughly before adding them to your dish to remove any excess sodium or canning liquid.
Yes, but remember that dried beans generally require soaking before cooking, so plan your preparation time accordingly.
2) Pinto Beans
Pinto beans are medium-sized, speckled beans that are often used in Mexican cuisine. They have a creamy texture and a mild, earthy flavor when cooked.
Why It Works
Pinto beans have a similar texture and flavour to borlotti beans, making them a good substitute. Their earthy flavour and creamy texture can closely mimic that of borlotti beans.
How to Substitute Kidney Beans for Pinto Beans
You can substitute pinto beans for borlotti beans in a 1:1 ratio. If a recipe asks for one cup of borlotti beans, use one cup of pinto beans.
Why It Wouldn’t Work Well
While pinto beans share a similar texture to borlotti beans, they have a slightly different, milder flavour which could result in a subtle difference in the final taste of your dish.
Our Tip
If you’re using canned pinto beans like kidney beans, rinse them well to remove any excess salt or canning liquid.
Yes, however, remember that dried beans usually require soaking before cooking, so consider this when planning your meal.
3) Cannellini Beans
Cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans, are commonly used in Italian cuisine. They have a mild, nutty flavour and a creamy, smooth texture when cooked.
Why It Works
Cannellini beans are a good substitute for borlotti beans because they share a similar creamy texture. Their mild, nutty flavour can also stand in well for the flavour of borlotti beans.
How to Substitute Kidney Beans for Cannellini Beans
You can swap cannellini beans for borlotti beans on a 1:1 basis. If a recipe calls for one cup of borlotti beans, use one cup of cannellini beans instead.
Why It Wouldn’t Work Well
Cannellini beans are slightly larger and have a softer texture than borlotti beans. Additionally, their flavour is milder, so they might not provide the same depth of flavour in certain dishes.
Our Tip
If you are using canned cannellini beans, be sure to rinse them well before adding to your dish to remove any excess sodium and canning liquid.
Yes, but as with other dried beans, cannellini beans usually need to be soaked before cooking, so remember to account for this in your preparation time.