Substitutes for Lima Bean: 10 Best Alternatives + FAQs!

Lima beans are well-known worldwide for their buttery smoothness and pleasant flavor. You may serve them as a main course with some vegetables. However, you may also serve them as a side dish with some delectable meat.

Lima beans can be purchased fresh, frozen, or tinned, depending on your preferences. But what if you can’t find any lima beans at all?

No need to be concerned since we’ve identified several alternatives to lima beans that you may use in your meals! Red kidney beans are the greatest option for lima beans.

White kidney beans and fava beans, on the other hand, work just as well and save time in the kitchen. Please keep reading to learn about additional lima bean replacements and utilize them effectively.

Substitutes For Lima Beans 

To create a dish that asks for lima beans, use any alternatives on this list. Some of these will bring your dish a unique flavor, but it will still be excellent.

1. Red Kidney Beans

Even though the flavor and color will not be similar, red kidney beans are the finest alternative for lima beans. Because the cooking procedure is comparable, you won’t need to change your recipes.

These beans will give your meal a greater taste. They are, nevertheless, an excellent alternative for lima beans in chili, soups, and even appetizers.

2. White Kidney Beans

Like red kidney beans, white kidney beans can be used in place of lima beans in various dishes. Since they are white, they will not change the color of your meal, and you will not detect a significant difference.

On the other hand, the white kidney beans will have a more nutty flavor. Apart from these distinctions, white kidney beans may be used in any recipe that calls for lima beans.

Because kidney beans have a tougher texture, cooking time may be longer. So, according to how you cook them, you’ll need to add some time to your recipe prep time.

3. Fava Beans

Fava beans should be at the top of your list when substituting lima beans. Fava beans are unique in that they may be eaten raw, unlike other beans.

Nevertheless, peeling them before eating them will have a quite comparable flavor to lima beans. Fava beans have a texture comparable to lima beans without the peel, making them an excellent substitute.

Cook fava beans in the same manner; you would like lima beans for a great supper.

4. Soybeans

Soybeans may be used in a variety of dishes. As a result, they can effectively substitute lima beans. Soybeans may be used in baked dishes, appetizers, and stir-fries because of their delicious taste.

Because they have a harder texture, you may need to simmer them longer to achieve the creamy texture of lima beans.

5. Chickpeas

When seeking lima bean replacements, chickpeas may sound surprising.

They are, in fact, quite comparable to lima beans. What’s the greatest feature? You may buy them partially boiled, which cuts down on the time it takes to prepare them.

Chickpeas will work well in salads or stir-fries because of their firmer feel, but they may also be used in any dish requiring lima beans.

Chickpeas may be used in various ways, including the major component in hummus and soups and sauces.

6. Edamame Beans

Edamame beans are linked to soybeans since they are a younger variant.

In salads and stir-fries, they can be substituted for lima beans. Because they have a sweeter flavor, your final meal will differ. They are, nonetheless, really tasty.

They have a smoother texture than lima beans. As a result, try not to overcook them because they may get mushy. You can’t go wrong if you examine their smoothness with a fork to see how tender they are.

7. Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are a good substitute for lima beans since they have a similar taste and texture. Although they are darker, they may be cooked in the same manner.

You may also use the same spice as you would for lima beans. In stews, stir-fries, salads, and baking meals, pinto beans can be used in place of lima beans.

8. Navy Beans

Navy beans are also another great lima bean replacement. Boston beans are another name for these beans, and they’re terrific in baked meals.

They have a creamy, unique taste that you may use in sandwiches and soups instead of lima beans. Navy beans are high in fiber and low in cholesterol, making them a nutritious ingredient to use in your dishes.

9. Quinoa

Quinoa is a grain that resembles quinoa but is not a bean. Besides that, you may use it in practically any dish that calls for lima beans.

Quinoa is delicious in salads and stews. If you use it in soups, you may not get the desired effects since quinoa absorbs moisture as effectively.

Quinoa does not have the same flavor or texture as lima beans, but it will complement any dish in which it is included.

10. Couscous

Couscous may also be used in place of lima beans in some dishes.

This is essentially a form of ground pasta that tastes just like spaghetti, even though it is composed of wheat. However, you will cook it differently since if you let it soak in boiling water for a few minutes, it will be prepared within just a few minutes.

Couscous may be used in salads and stews, but it should not be used in soups since it will shed its hard quality.

Related Questions 

• Is there any difference between butter beans and lima beans? 

• Butter beans and lima beans are the same bean species. Even though these beans are permanent, they are normally cultivated yearly. They can be found worldwide and adapt well to various situations, making them simple to produce.

• Are Northern beans and lima beans the same thing?

• Northern beans, larger than lima beans, are sometimes known as huge beans. They aren’t the same sort of bean because the size and flavor aren’t the same.

• Northern beans have a nuttier taste and a gentler texture than southern beans. 

• If you don’t have any of the substitutions mentioned earlier, you might use Northern beans instead of lima beans. 

• Furthermore, because they are larger and have a distinct flavor, you will notice a difference in flavor.