Is a lima bean a broad bean?

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Favas are also known as broad beans (and a few other names) and are originally from the old world. The scientific name of the lima bean is Phaseolus lunatus. It is in the same genus as other common beans such as green beans, pinto beans, black beans, etc. and along with these is a new world bean.



Similarly, it is asked, is a butter bean a broad bean?

Butter beans are lima beans. I much prefer fava beans and am very lucky that they grow really well here. faba species or even genus. The same dictionary says "runner beans" are Phaseolus coccineus, which is the same genus as many of our most common beans.

One may also ask, do fava beans taste like lima beans? While fava beans look a bit like lima beans, they're less starchy and fuller in flavor: nutty and slightly sweet, with just a hint of bitterness and a discernable taste of cheese.

Also to know, what is the difference between a lima bean and a butter bean?

Lima beans are more than just related to butter beans, they are the same thing! In the South, lima beans are often called butter beans and in the UK they almost exclusively refer to them as butter beans. Lima beans can be consumed in both their immature stage (fresh and green) as well as their mature (dried and beige).

Can you substitute lima beans for fava beans?

Use fresh or dried lima beans based on whether the recipe calls for fresh or dried favas. Replace equal amounts of lima beans for the fava beans in your recipe. The finished result will have a milder flavor and starchier texture compared to using fava beans.

37 Related Question Answers Found

Why are butter beans called butter beans?

In the Southern U.S. and in the U.K., these cream-colored beans are named after the dairy product with a similarly rich consistency: butter. Meanwhile, the rest of the bean-eating world labels them limas.

What are butter beans called in USA?

The term "butter bean" is widely used in North and South Carolina for a large, flat and yellow/white variety of lima bean (P. lunatus var. macrocarpus, or P. limensis) In the United States Sieva-type beans are traditionally called butter beans, also otherwise known as the Dixie or Henderson type.

What is the difference between Lima and fava beans?

Both Lima and Fava Beans are Legumes and the Genus is Fabaceae. They do not taste the same. The Fava bean is much firmer in texture when cooked than the Lima bean. he Broad Bean or Fava Bean originated in Northern Africa, it's family name is: Vicia faba.

Can you use butter beans instead of broad beans?

If you don't have fava beans you can substitute one of these alternatives: Lima beans (butter beans) are similar in texture and flavor. OR - You can swap out fresh green peas. OR - If you're making soup you can use canned cannelini or kidney beans.

Are cannellini beans the same as butter beans?


No they aren't. Butter beans are lima beans AKA sieva beans or madagascar beans. Cannellini beans are white kidney beans. If you are asking because you need to substitute, you can use regular kidney beans if the recipe wants cannellini.

What are butter beans good for?

They are excellent sources of dietary fiber, protein, B vitamins and many other important vitamins and minerals. There is good evidence that they can help reduce blood sugar, improve cholesterol levels and help maintain a healthy gut.

Are navy beans and lima beans the same?

Great northern beans, which resemble white lima beans, are oval-shaped with a thin skin and larger overall than navy beans. Navy beans are also oval-shaped, but they are much smaller and slightly plumper than great Northerns, with thicker skins. Great northerns and navy beans both possess subtle, mild flavors.

What are the different types of lima beans?

There are two distinct varieties: the baby lima and the Fordhook. Both are pale green, plump-bodied and have a slight kidney-shape curve with a buttery flavor and creamy texture. The Fordhook is larger, plumper and fuller than the baby lima. In the South, dried limas are frequently called butter beans.

Are lima beans dangerous?

Raw lima beans contain linamarin, which when consumed decomposes into the toxic chemical hydrogen cyanide. Fortunately for lima bean-lovers, cooking the beans for at least 10 minutes renders them safe. Unlike in other parts of the world, Lima beans sold in the U.S. are required to have relatively low cyanide levels.

Is lima bean good for you?


Lima beans are naturally low in calories, but full of healthy complex carbohydrates. Fiber (7g): The next-largest portion of carbs in lima beans is fiber. Fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar, boost satiety (feeling full), and improve digestive health. Sugar (2.7g): Lima beans also contain naturally occurring sugar.

Why are my lima beans bitter?

Among polarizing foods, lima beans top the list: People respond to them with total glee or pure vitriol, with some uncommon ambivalence in between. But overcook them, and they can turn bitter and sulfurous, not unlike other oft-maligned foods, such as Brussels sprouts and broccoli.

What's another name for lima beans?

Other Names for Lima Beans
Depending on the country or region, lima beans might also be referred to as Madagascar beans, wax beans or chad beans. Those varieties that carry purple speckles often are called calico beans. The smaller baby limas can also be called butter peas or sieva beans.

Do you need to soak lima beans?

Soak dried lima beans in water for at least 8 hours.
Soaking the lima beans is necessary because it helps to remove some of the sugars, which makes the beans easier to digest. The beans need to be soaked in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature because otherwise they will begin to ferment.

Are butter beans the same as Great Northern beans?

Great Northern beans are less common in Australia. Their texture is slightly grainy, with a nutty, dense flavour. They are used in salads, soups, stews, ragouts, and purees. Lima beans are also called butter beans as they have a buttery texture, are white and flattened beans.

What do you serve with lima beans?


Lima Bean Side Dish Recipes
  1. Spicy Chorizo and Lima-Bean Scramble.
  2. Bacon-Wrapped Chicken with Basil Lima Beans.
  3. Fresh Lima Bean Gratins.
  4. Cornbread Tartlets with Tomato-Lima Bean Relish.
  5. Tomato-Lima Bean Relish.
  6. Layered Lima Bean Dip.
  7. Lima Bean Dip (Salsa di Fagioli)
  8. Garlicky Lima Bean Spread.

What beans are used in baked beans?

Canned baked beans are used as a convenience food, and most commercially canned baked beans are made from haricot beans, also known as navy beans (a variety of Phaseolus vulgaris) in a sauce. They may be eaten hot or cold, straight from the can, as they are already fully cooked.

Are canned butter beans good for you?

Read the Nutrition Facts label to see how much sodium, per serving, the beans contain. Canned beans that are simply beans (no sodium, sugar, or other harmful ingredients added) are a superbly healthy food choice. They are a super-rich source of nutrition, notably cholesterol-lowering fiber.