Cannellini Beans

We Love Making Dried Cannellini Beans From Scratch, Here’s Why

Cooking dried beans requires a little extra planning, but the payoff is totally worth it! What we love most about cooking beans from scratch is that you can control the flavor with the addition of fresh herbs, onion, and garlic. Cannellini beans are naturally earthy and nutty in flavor, making them the perfect complement to other dishes or on their own. Are cannellini beans good for you? Yes! Cooking cannellini beans from scratch is a great way to avoid the extra sodium from canned beans, and to reap the full range of cannellini beans benefits–they are super nutritious and full of protein. In addition to being a nutritional powerhouse, they maintain their texture when added to soups and other dishes, and are also great puréed. Try these yummy beans in our beloved White Bean and Ham Soup.

Are Great Northern Beans The Same As Cannellini Beans?

If you need a substitution for cannellini beans, you can use great Northern beans instead. Both are delicious white beans, but the cannellinis tend to have a slightly creamier interior, and sturdier exterior which means they keep their shape better when cooked. Cannellini beans are popular in Italian dishes like minestrone and pasta e fagioli, or any other hearty dish eaten on a chilly night. We recommend making either or both!

Looking To Make Some Delicious Cannellini Bean Recipes?

You’ve lovingly tended a pot of cannellini beans, and now you’re curious about finding the perfect cannellini beans recipe. Luckily, the cannellini bean is extremely versatile, and does well in so many different settings–from soup and salads to dips and spreads, the cannellini bean can do it all. We love the way this bean’s hearty texture plays with Mediterranean flavors in our White Bean Salad with Anchovy Vinaigrette. If you’re looking for a one-pot wonder of a meal, cannellinis are great for this One-Pot Braised Chicken with Kale and White Beans recipe. And if you’re in the mood for chili (always!), you can try using cannellini beans in our Instant Pot White Bean Chicken Chili. Let the beauty of the bean sing in the recipe for Garlicky Beans with Lemon, Dill and Trout. A classic stand-by of a soup that you can always count on is this White Bean Soup with Bacon. Now you can put those cannellini beans to work!!

Tools You’ll Need

• Large pot, or Instant Pot

• A sharp knife for the onion and garlic

• Fine mesh skimmer (a spoon will do in a pinch)

A Few Fabulous Cannellini Beans Recipes

Cannellini beans are a standout in many recipes, and here are a few of our favorites:

• White Bean Sausage Skillet

• White Bean Hummus

• White Bean Chicken Soup

Simple, Delicious Cannellini Beans

Did you make a big ol’ pot of beans? We want to know what you do with your cannellini beans! Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Bean appétit!