Rant: Butter beans are not lima beans! (2024)

FAQs

Is there a difference between butter beans and lima beans? ›

Well, rest assured; the two are actually one in the same. There's no difference between lima beans and butter beans, though sometimes they're sold at different stages of maturity. As a matter of fact, our Large Lima Beans packaging actually states Butter Beans in parentheses, just to clarify.

Lima Beans. While they're all the same bean botanically, butter beans have different names depending on the region. In the South and in the United Kingdom, they're typically referred to as butter beans. Elsewhere in the U.S., they're known as lima beans (named for Lima, Peru, the bean's point of origin).

A favorite in the American South, limas are actually named after the capital of Peru, and they have more nicknames than any other bean: butter bean, Rangoon bean, Burma bean, Madagascar bean, and chad bean.

Cannellini Beans: With their similar buttery texture and mild taste (although slightly nuttier), cannellini beans make an excellent substitute for butter beans.

A lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), also commonly known as butter bean, sieva bean, double bean or Madagascar bean, is a legume grown for its edible seeds or beans.

Swap pinto beans, great northern beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, or kidney beans for lima beans in soup and casseroles. In salads and stir-fries use green peas, string beans, or fresh fava beans.

Compared to butter beans, cannellini beans have a nuttier flavor and sturdier makeup. Nutritionally, both butter and cannellini beans are high in protein and fiber and have very similar nutritional profiles.

Butter beans, or in Italian: Bianchi di Spagna, are a variety of lima bean known for their firm, buttery texture and robust nature.

Lima beans, also known as Butter Beans. Great northern, also called "large white" beans, are larger than navy beans as well, but smaller than cannellini beans. They have a flattened shape similar to lima beans and a delicate flavor.

Two types of lima beans, called butter beans in the South, are grown in home gardens. Most of the more northerly parts of the United States, including the northern New England States and the northern parts of other States along the Canadian border, are not adapted to the culture of lima beans.

What is the Indian name for butter beans? ›

Desi Val, also known as butter beans are popular legumes that are known for their mild buttery flavor and meaty texture. They are known by several regional names, for instance Lima beans in Hindi are called 'Sem Phali' and Lima Beans in Tamil are called 'Mochai'.

Baby Lima Beans

Baby lima beans are even smaller than Navy beans and just as white. They're more likely to be referred to by name, however, or called butter beans. They're creamy and buttery when they're cooked, hence their nickname.

Is There a Difference Between Butter Beans and Lima Beans? Other than what they're called and sometimes their color, butter beans and lima beans are exactly the same. Their species is called Phaseolus lunatus and the difference in their name is only a matter of geography.

You'll see them labeled in different ways in the store, after all: frozen lima beans, canned butter beans, dried large limas—or is it dried large butter beans? Turns out, lima beans and butter beans are the same thing. Both terms refer to the same species, Phaseolus lunatus.

Butter Beans are simply Lima Beans. Broad Beans are simply Fava Beans.

Butter beans are rich in vitamins and minerals, which are important for overall health. A source of potassium, magnesium, folate, iron, and zinc, they also contain calcium and protein. Both plant-based foodies and meat-lovers can really benefit from adding butter beans to their diet.

​​There are actually several different types of beans that fall into the category of “white beans.” The first are navy beans (also called pea beans, if you want to further confuse matters), then there's great northern beans (for all you Twin Peaks fans), cannellini beans (we'll get to that one a little later), and ...

Lima Beans

Lima beans are also commonly called butter beans for their buttery, rich flavor, and velvety texture. Popular in Southern American dishes, lima beans are the main ingredient in a classic succotash and are common to add to casseroles, soups, or simmered with pork to serve as a savory side dish.