14 Types of Beans: Garbanzo, Adzuki, Cannellini and More

By: Elena Tralwyn  | 
beans
Ah, yes. The magical fruit. Oksana Schmidt / Getty Images

Beans are one of the most commonly eaten foods around the world. Packed with protein, fiber, and versatility, these members of the legume family show up in soups, stews, salads, and even desserts.

From creamy to firm, mild to earthy, here are 14 popular types of beans you’ll find in kitchens and pantries everywhere.

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1. Kidney Beans

Kidney beans
Kidney beans. boonchai wedmakawand / Getty Images

These oval-shaped beans have a firm texture and rich, earthy flavor. Red kidney beans are commonly used in chili and hold their shape well in simmered dishes.

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2. Pinto Beans

Pinto Beans
Pinto beans. Ernesto r. Ageitos / Getty Images

Known for their brown skin and speckled look, pinto beans are a staple in Mexican cuisine. They’re the go-to for refried beans and work well in rice dishes.

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3. Black Beans

Black beans
Black beans. Yurou Guan / Getty Images

Also called black turtle beans, these shiny legumes offer a creamy texture and earthy flavor. They’re common in Latin American dishes and can be a great source of protein and fiber in burgers and bowls.

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4. Navy Beans

Sometimes called white pea beans or haricot beans, navy beans are key in Boston baked beans and Senate bean soup. Their soft texture makes them ideal for white bean casserole.

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5. Lima Beans

Lima beans
Lima beans. Brian Yarvin / Getty Images

Also known as butter beans, lima beans have a smooth texture and delicate flavor. You’ll find them in stews or simply sautéed with olive oil.

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6. Adzuki Beans

Adzuki Beans
Adzuki beans. keithferrisphoto / Getty Images

These small red beans are commonly used in Asian cuisine, especially in red bean paste. Their mildly sweet flavor suits both savory dishes and desserts.

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7. Cannellini Beans

cannellini beans
White cannellini beans. Javier Zayas Photography / Getty Images

Also called white kidney beans, cannellini beans are perfect for Italian cooking. Their mild flavor complements pasta dishes, especially pasta e fagioli.

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8. Cranberry Beans

Cranberry Beans
Cranberry beans. evrim ertik / Getty Images

Also known as borlotti beans or Roman beans, these have a pinkish hue with red streaks. They offer a nutty flavor and are great in bean salads or soups stews.

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9. Mung Beans

Mung beans
Mung beans. Pablo Jeffs Munizaga - Fototrekk / Getty Images

Common in Asian cooking and stir fries, mung beans are small, green, and slightly sweet. They’re also used to make gluten-free pasta and noodles.

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10. Garbanzo Beans

Garbanzo Beans
Garbanzo beans. Javier Zayas Photography / Getty Images

Better known as chickpeas, these are one of the most widely produced beans globally. They star in Middle Eastern dishes, chickpea flour, and cooked dishes like stews and salads.

11. Broad Beans

Broad Beans
Broad beans. wulingyun / Getty Images

Also called fava beans, broad beans are large and flat. Their creamy texture and delicate flavor work well in springtime dishes and with lemon and herbs.

12. Pink Beans

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Pink beans. Lianne Milton / Getty Images

These beans are common in Caribbean and Southwestern cuisine. Their soft texture and rich flavor make them perfect for barbecue style dishes and stews.

13. Great Northern Beans

Larger than navy beans but smaller than cannellini, Great Northern beans have a mild flavor and hold up well in soups stews and white bean recipes.

14. Black-eyed Peas

Black eyed peas
Black eyed peas. Oliver Strewe / Getty Images

Recognizable by the dark spot on their skin, black-eyed peas are popular in Southern U.S. and African cuisines. They’re traditionally served with rice and greens.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

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