Ever been to the store, looking for Borlotti beans, only to find that they’re sold out ? Or maybe they didn’t even carry them? So, now you’ve got a recipe that calls for Borlotti beans, but you can’t find them anywhere. Been there! If you find yourself in either of these situations, don’t worry—there are plenty of Borlotti bean substitutes. Here are some of the best substitutes for Borlotti beans.
Pinto beans are slightly milder than cranberry beans but are still a great substitute in any recipe that calls for them. Pinto beans will also lose their speckled color, like cranberry beans, once they are cooked, making them look almost indistinguishable from one another.
Bad Borlotti Bean Substitutes
Not all beans are created equal. These are two bean substitutes that I don’t recommend for Borlotti beans.
Black beans have a distinctively earthy flavor that is not a good match for Borlotti beans. In addition, black beans will take longer to cook than Borlotti beans. As a result, they are not a good choice for recipes where the cooking time is crucial.
Tongues of Fire Beans
Tongues of Fire beans is a type of borlotti bean. In Italy it is known as Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco. Which when translated is tongue of fire. They speckled with red spots. But once cooked they disappear. These beans have a creamy but meaty texture. It tends to have a hint of sweetness and a nutty flavor. Which makes one of closest alternatives to borlotti beans. But Tongues of fire isn’t the easiest bean to find.
Anasazi beans, are type of small, reddish-brown speckled bean that is popular in Southwestern cuisine. They have a hearty, nutty flavor, with sweet earthy undertones. They can be used as a substitute for borlotti beans in many recipes.
Anasazi beans can be purchased dried or canned and are often used in soups, stews, and chili. They can also be cooked and served as a side dish or used in salads.
Many people use them as a replacement for pinto beans in refried beans. A big plus about using these is they also contain 75% less of the gas-causing carbohydrates compared to pinto beans. (source)
What are Cranberry Beans
FAQ
What are cranberry beans similar to?
What kind of beans are cranberry beans?
Are Roman beans and cranberry beans the same?
Are October beans and cranberry beans the same?
What is a cranberry bean?
The cranberry bean, aka the borlotti bean, is an ingredient featured in various Mediterranean and Spanish dishes, including pasta, salads, and stews.
What is the difference between cranberries and cranberry beans?
Cranberries and cranberry beans are two very different things. Cranberry beans are a type of food that is related to kidney beans. They come from the same family.
Are cranberry beans easy to grow?
Cranberry beans are considered an easy-to-grow plant. They are typically sewn from the end of April to the beginning of May since the plant develops best in higher temperatures and does not tolerate frost well. The soil temperature should be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit or more for cranberry beans to cultivate successfully.
Are cranberry beans the same as pinto beans?
They look a lot like pinto beans after they are cooked and are used in many of the same ways. However, cranberry beans today are more commonly included in soups, salads, and polenta-based dishes. Treat Dreams tells us that pinto beans are also known for their rich, nutty flavor, but cranberry beans tend to taste stronger in that respect.