Navy Beans vs Great Northern Beans • The Incredible Bulks (2024)

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Navy beans and Great Northern Beans may look the same, but their unique characteristics set them apart. In this article, we'll explore everything from origins, taste, nutritional values, uses, and more so you can learn the difference between these two white beans. Plus, we'll provide delicious recipes so you can cook and enjoy both types of beans. Let's get started!

Let's start by learning a little bit about each bean.

Navy Beans

Navy beans are small, creamy-white beans. They got their name because the United States Navy has served this type of beans as a staple food to its sailors since the mid-1800s. This is because they are healthy, inexpensive, and have a long storage life.

In other parts of the world, navy beans have several different names, including pea beans, Boston beans, Yankee beans, Haricot Beans, and white beans.

Navy beans are commonly used in soups, stews, casseroles, and baked bean dishes because they absorb flavors and hold their shape well during cooking.

Great Northern Beans

Great Northern beans are another variety of white beans. Great Northern beans are native to North America and are particularly popular in the northern regions of the United States, hence their name. Great Northern beans are often featured in soups, stews, chili, salads, and casseroles. They can also be mashed or pureed and used as a creamy base for bean dips, spreads, or even plant-based burgers.

Now that we know more about each ingredient, let's compare the two!

Appearance

Great Northern and Navy beans' biggest differences are their sizes and shapes.

Navy beans are small, almost round beans, generally similar in size and shape to black beans. They have a smooth, thin skin.

Great Northern beans are larger than navy beans and are also oval-shaped.

Both beans are white when dry and a light cream color when cooked.

Taste

Navy beans have a pleasant, subtle flavor that pairs well with many flavors. Some describe it as slightly earthy. When cooked, navy beans have a smooth texture.

Great Northern beans also have a very mild taste. They have a nutty flavor that is a bit sweeter than navy beans. They also have a smooth texture when cooked.

When cooked, Navy beans typically retain a firmer texture compared to the creamier consistency of Great Northern beans.

Nutrition

As we've seen so far, navy beans and great northern beans only have subtle differences. This is also true for their nutritional composition. Let's check out some of their healthy benefits:

• Protein: Both navy beans and great northern beans are rich in protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair. The protein content varies slightly between the two, but the difference is insignificant. They also contain adequate amounts of all essential amino acid.

• Fiber: Both types of beans have high fiber content, which aids digestion, helps maintain bowel regularity, and may contribute to heart health. Again, while the exact dietary fiber content may differ slightly, they are generally comparable in this aspect. Foods high in fiber can also contribute to weight loss because they help you get full faster, and stay full longer, which means you have to eat less often.

• Vitamins and Minerals: Navy beans and great northern beans are good sources of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin b, folate, potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.

• Calories: The calorie content of navy beans and great northern beans is also similar. They are relatively low in calories but provide a good amount of energy due to their carbohydrate content.

• Glycemic Index: Navy beans and Great Northern beansboth have a low GI score, which makes them a great option for people who need to monitor their blood sugar levels, or have diabetes. Keep in mind that the GI score can change based on how the beans are prepared and what they are served with.

Cook Time

You can easily get canned Navy and Great Northern beans at the grocery store here in the United States. However, you can also purchase the beans dry and cook them yourself. You might want to do this for several reasons:

• It's more cost-effective. Dried beans are cheaper than canned beans. You can make a big batch and freeze them for later, saving time and money.
• You can control the salt levels. Canned beans can have a lot of salt and other preservatives added.
• It's delicious! Fresh always tastes better.

It's really easy to cook dried beans, you'll just need to give them water and heat. The only down side is that dry beans have long cooking times.

Here are some links to popular cooking methods and how long each takes.

Navy Beans

• Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker: unsoaked-40 mins
• Stove Top: soaked-30 mins

Great Northern Beans

• Instant Pot: unsoaked-55 minutes
• Stove Top: unsoaked-60-90 minutes

I did a deep dive into all the ins and outs of cooking dry beans a while ago. I looked at different cooking methods, whether or not you should pre-soak your beans and when to add salt. If you'd like to learn more you can check out, "Guide to Cooking Dry Beans."

Cost

Great Northern beans cost a little bit more than Navy beans. As of March 2024, I can get 1lb of dry Navy beans at my local Walmart for $1.36 and 1lb of Great Northern beans for $1.98. Both types of canned beans are 82 cents a can.

I also live near a Winco and can get Navy beans for $1.18 per pound and Great Northern beans for $1.20 per pound in the bulk bins. This is why I love shopping in the bulk bins, it always saves me money!

Recipes

From soups and stews to salads and side dishes, both Navy beans and Great Northern beans work well in various recipes. Here are some of my favorite recipes for both types of beans:

Great Northern

​Lemon Broccoli with Beans and Bacon

Boston Baked Beans

Tuscan White Bean Skillet Meal

Navy

Navy Bean Soup

Navy Beans and Wild Rice Casserole

Navy Bean Salad (Piyaz)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

I hope this guide has been helpful to you! Is there anything else you've been wondering about the two types of beans? Let me know in the comments, and let me know which type of bean you prefer!

✌️Ems

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