5-Minute Cannellini Recipe

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Last updated on June 29th, 2022 at 03:20 pm

Okay, I could’ve easily named this 5-minute white bean recipe, but, but, doesn’t cannellini just sound SO MUCH better and pretentious? White bean sounds like…”Well, you know you’re gonna be farting in your sleep tonight…” While cannellini sounds sophisticated, fancy and like something people would drink with red wine or something. Cannellini! Now do it with an Italian accent! CANNELLINI! And you have to do something with your hands, as if you’re explaining something to someone really stupid who doesn’t understand.

When I think of cannellini I think of cannoli, which is a super delicious pastry that much like Al Pacino’s parents comes from Sicily.

I first had cannoli when I was in Sicily 4 years ago, it was a time of many firsts. First time to a volcano (Etna), first time seeing 2 people being hit by a car while crossing the street, dusting themselves off and moving on with their day (trauma for life), first time seeing someone jerk off in public. Okay, unfortunately not the first time, but it was quite traumatic as well.

Still, I’d go to Sicily tomorrow if I had the chance. It’s so beautiful, warm, Etna’s smoking and the food is pretty amazing. But here I am writing about white beans, with very dirty hair on a hot summer day. Dream big.

But, I do think you’ll like these white beans.

How To Make Cannellini in 5 Minutes?

Simple. Get a can of cannellini, open it and smell it.

Doesn’t smell like lilies right?

Well, now it’s time to face the tough part. Getting rid of that liquid surrounding the beans. I know, it looks very appetizing, but before you decide to make a latte with it, hear me out. It doesn’t taste good.

It’s better if you just rinse and then drain the beans. Forget about that slime – say goodbye, so you can both move on.

Now that we have sparkling clean white beans it’s time to heat them in a non-stick pan with some coconut oil or olive oil. Some people say frying with olive oil is more poisonous than being bitten by a viper snake, I wonder how the poor people in Spain and Greece survived all those olive oil attacks during the years.

Look now you got distracted and forgot to chop 1/2 onion and to mince one garlic clove. I hate to be the responsible one here. So, please, chop chop.

Okay, before the cannellini, add the onion and the garlic to the pan, let that saute for 1-2 minutes. Then put in the cannellini and stir them.

Now it’s time for the really tough part! The spices. I decided to add dry mint, basil, coriander, and cumin because those seem to be my go-to herbs and spices right now.

Stir to cover each sad little white bean in herbs and spices and turn the heat off.

Super simple cannellini bean recipe! Make these white beans in under 10 minutes (you can try for 5), when you have nothing to eat at home. Or in those situations you actually crave a can of white beans. Serve with some salad and vegan tzatziki for a full vegan dinner!

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 3 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup cannellini beans, canned
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp mint
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp cumin
optional: red pepper flakes
olive oil (or coconut oil)
1/2 onion
1 garlic clove

Instructions

Rinse and drain cannellini, chop the onion, mince the garlic.
In a non-stick pan - saute the onion and garlic for a minute with some oil.
Stir in the cannellini beans, let cook for a minute.
Stir in the spices, making sure to cover each bean.
Serve with a small tomato cucumber salad, olives (not in the picture) and tzatziki.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 232Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 448mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 7gSugar: 2gProtein: 10g

I will be back on Thursday with a secret superfood list – I’ve been trying to write that post for I think a year and it’s about only 7 foods, so you can see I’m a productive human who can’t get distracted by anything. Hopefully, it’s done on Thursday.

5-Minute Cannellini Recipe - Beauty Bites (2024)

FAQs

Can I substitute cannellini beans for butter beans? ›

Cannellini or borlotti beans can be substituted for butter beans in many recipes. Uses: In salads, with chicken or pasta dishes and in soups and casseroles. To store: Keep in a cool, dry place.

Keep Reading ›

Can I use Great northern beans instead of cannellini? ›

If you are using canned beans, you can just swap the two, but if you are starting from dried, plan for a slightly longer cooking time with cannellini beans.

Read On ›

What is the difference between cannellini and Great northern beans? ›

Cannellini Beans are larger and heartier than Great Northerns and are sometimes referred to as “white kidney beans” because of their traditional kidney shape. You'll often find them mixed with pinto beans.

Learn More Now ›

Are cannellini beans the same as chickpeas? ›

Cannellini beans and chickpeas both offer a lot of fibre and protein. But they're different in taste and texture. Cannellini beans are creamier and softer, while chickpeas are denser and slightly grainy.

Know More ›

Which is healthier butter beans or cannellini beans? ›

Nutritionally, both butter and cannellini beans are high in protein and fiber and have very similar nutritional profiles. The only noticeable difference is that butter beans contain a small amount of fat while cannellini beans have none.

Get More Info ›

Can I use canned cannellini beans instead of dried? ›

It's fine to substitute canned beans for dried, but keep in mind that the sodium in canned beans is higher than that of dried.

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Are canned cannellini beans healthy? ›

Cannellini beans are wonderfully nutritious. They're fat free and an excellent source of fiber, folate, iron and magnesium. One 1/4 cup serving contains 11 grams of protein! Adding nutritious foods like dried cannellini beans to your diet may help control blood sugar levels; talk with your doctor.

Are chickpeas or cannellini beans healthier? ›

Cannellini beans are high in fibre and contain vitamin C as well as magnesium, a mineral that helps our muscles to function properly. Chickpeas are a good source of fibre and contain more than 10 different micronutrients, including copper, which keeps our skin and hair healthy.

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What is the difference between white beans and cannellini beans? ›

Large white beans, often called Great Northern beans, are bigger and have a mild, nutty flavor. Other white bean varieties, like Cannellini beans, are slightly smaller and have a creamier texture. While they can be used interchangeably in many recipes, the specific type can affect the dish's overall texture and taste.

What are the benefits of cannellini beans? ›

Though they come in several varieties, cannellini beans tend to be the most popular. Due to their high fiber and protein content, they may help support a healthy body weight, muscle mass, and digestion. In particular, they're a great source of protein for vegans and vegetarians.

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Can you eat too many cannellini beans? ›

The gas problem

Beans have a reputation of making people fart, and some people do get bloated after eating beans. This is because the fiber in beans, is fermented in the large intestines by bacteria that produce gas in the process.

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Are cannellini beans good for cholesterol? ›

Ample amount of fiber.

That seems like a lot of fiber! However, white beans contain 11 grams of fiber per 1-cup of cooked beans. That is pretty impressive. A diet high in fiber is said to maintain bowel health, lowers cholesterol levels and helps in achieving a healthy weight (Mayoclinic.org).

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What are cannellini beans called in America? ›

Cannellini Beans: Cannellini beans are a popular white bean native to Southern Italy. They are large and oval in size with a nutty flavor and a creamy texture. Cannellini beans are also called white kidney beans.

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What is the best substitute for butter beans? ›

What are some alternatives to butter beans in recipes? Some alternatives to butter beans in recipes include cannellini beans, great northern beans, navy beans, or even chickpeas. These beans have a similar texture and can be used interchangeably in many dishes.

How do I substitute cannellini beans? ›

If you don't have cannellini beans, substitute other dried white beans, like Great Northern or navy beans. If you don't have chard, use kale or spinach.

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What beans are the same as butter beans? ›

You'll see them labeled in different ways in the store, after all: frozen lima beans, canned butter beans, dried large limas—or is it dried large butter beans? Turns out, lima beans and butter beans are the same thing. Both terms refer to the same species, Phaseolus lunatus.

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Are white beans and butter beans the same? ›

4 Types of White Beans

Lima Beans: Named for the capital city of Peru, lima beans are not white themselves, but varieties like baby lima beans are. Lima beans are called butter beans for their buttery, rich flavor, and starchy texture.