When you walk down the aisle at the grocery store and see the beans all lined up, have you ever thought to yourself: what is the difference between cannelloni, great northern, and navy beans? If you have, you’re not alone. It’s so hard to tell what the difference between these three since they’re all white and similar sizes, so if you’re feeling lost, here’s your ultimate white bean guide.
Cannelloni
This is the largest of the beans, and they are super soft and creamy on the inside when they’re cooked. They are often used in Italian cooking and are referred to sometimes as the white kidney bean of Italy.
Navy Beans
These beans are super popular in American cooking, especially in the south, because they are the basis for baked beans. When they’re cooked they still end up pretty small, but the flavor and texture are still great no matter if they remain whole or end up being pureed or put right into a soup.
Great Northern Beans
These beans are medium sized compared to the other two white beans, and are a great substitute of you don’t have either one of those beans on hand. They have a slight nuttier flavor and work well in any classic bean dish.
