What Are Navy Beans? | Camellia Brand (2024)

Highlights

  • Used in Boston baked beans, a quintessential American dish
  • Found in Senate Bean Soup, on the menu daily in the U.S. Senate’s restaurant
  • Similar in flavor and texture to Great Northern beans

The Navy Bean Story

Also called “white pea” or alubias chica in Spanish, the navy bean is a variety of common bean, which originated in Peru several thousand years ago. Why “Navy”? Because of their super-charged nutritional value, low cost, and long storage life, in the 19th century the U.S. Navy began issuing these beans as standard ration for sailors on their warships.

A common method for preparing navy beans is to bake them. The United States, Britain, and Canada (with its French tradition of the cassoulet) have a long history of baking beans. Baked beans are so popular in the historic East Coast city of Boston that it’s called “Bean Town.”

An interesting Navy Bean tradition is found in Washington, D.C., in the restaurant of the U.S. Senate: Senate Bean Soup has been on the menu every day since about 1903, as the story goes. The origin of this tradition is not completely clear: Some say that it was begun by Idaho Senator Fred Dubois in the early 20th century, while others say that Minnesota Senator Knute Nelson is responsible. Dubois’ recipe called for mashed potatoes, but the soup served today calls for braised onion.

Navy beans are also used in a Hungarian bean soup called bab leves and in a Serbian bean soup called pasulj. As baked beans, they are delicious when flavored with barbecue sauce or chipotle pepper seasoning.

Our favorite Navy Bean links:
Idaho Bean Commission Bean Facts
U.S. Senate Bean Soup Recipe
How to Cook Beans and Peas
How to Soak Your Beans
Navy Bean Recipes
Camellia Brand Navy Beans

What Are Navy Beans? | Camellia Brand (2024)

FAQs

What Are Navy Beans? | Camellia Brand? ›

Camellia Brand Navy (Pea) Beans are white and hold their oval shape even when fully cooked to tenderness. When it comes to Southern-style or Boston baked beans – they are The Bean. The tangy Worcestershire and sweet brown sugar are the perfect complements to this firm, mild tasting legume.

Which beans are navy beans? ›

The navy bean, haricot bean, pearl haricot bean, Boston bean, white pea bean, or pea bean is a variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) native to the Americas, where it was first domesticated. It is a dry white bean that is smaller than many other types of white beans, and has an oval, slightly flattened shape.

What bean is equivalent to navy beans? ›

On the other hand, if navy beans are unavailable, you can easily use any white or colored bean, such as white kidney beans or black beans. In a pinch, lentils can also step in as a viable replacement.

Are navy beans and great northern beans the same bean? ›

Although these two beans are very similar to one another, they are each a different variety. The main difference between the two is that white Navy beans are smaller than white Great Northern beans. However, they have similar culinary uses and can easily be substituted for one another.

Who makes navy beans? ›

Product information
Package Weight‎3.1 Kilograms
Variety‎Navy Beans
Number of Items‎6
ManufacturerBush's
UPC‎778554865757

Are bush beans navy beans? ›

Navy beans grow up to 18-72 in. tall (45-180 cm), depending on the variety. They can be grown as a low bush (bush bean) or a vine climbing a trellis (pole bean).

Are Heinz beans navy beans? ›

This baked beans recipe is a Heinz baked beans copycat. It's so similar, it's almost scary - but so much tastier! Quick, easy and completely addictive. Navy beans, also known as Haricot Beans, are the beans used in commercially produced canned baked beans.

What is another name for canned navy beans? ›

Navy (Pea) Beans

Also called pea beans, Navy beans are small, oval-shaped, and quick-cooking. Because they get creamy when cooked, they're perfect for mashing against the side of the pot, pureeing in dips, and thickening soups, stews, ragouts, and more.

Are lima beans and navy beans the same? ›

Baby Lima Beans

Baby lima beans are even smaller than Navy beans and just as white. They're more likely to be referred to by name, however, or called butter beans. They're creamy and buttery when they're cooked, hence their nickname.

Are navy beans healthier than other beans? ›

Navy beans may aid in the reduction of cholesterol and the development of the metabolic syndrome. Researchers discovered that people who increased their consumption of navy beans and rice bran lowered their cholesterol levels.

Can I substitute Great northern beans for navy beans in baked beans? ›

Classic baked beans call for navy beans, and this is where you can start to get creative. The closest variation is the Great Northern bean, which is a little bigger and nuttier in favor. Italian cannellini beans have a fluffier texture. Butter beans offer a rich, savory, buttery flavor when cooked.

Why do they call them navy beans? ›

Why “Navy”? Because of their super-charged nutritional value, low cost, and long storage life, in the 19th century the U.S. Navy began issuing these beans as standard ration for sailors on their warships. A common method for preparing navy beans is to bake them.

Do I need to soak navy beans before cooking? ›

If you're the impatient, bean-hungry type, you can cook your beans from dry without any soaking at all. Here's the thing: Beans that have not been soaked ahead of time will always take longer to cook, but they will, indeed, cook.

What bean is closest to navy bean? ›

Pinto beans are a delightful and versatile legume that is a common substitution for navy beans in recipes. Native to the Americas, pinto beans are a staple of Mexican cuisine, with their slightly nutty flavor and creamy texture. Pinto beans are a tasty choice for any dish, such as refried beans, chili, and soups.

Are Bush's baked beans navy beans? ›

Bush's® Original Baked Beans are a Secret Family Recipe of navy beans slow-cooked with specially cured bacon, fine brown sugar and our signature blend of spices.

What is the common name for navy beans? ›

The navy bean, haricot, pearl haricot bean, Boston bean, white pea bean, or pea bean is a variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) native to the Americas, where it was first domesticated. It is a dry white bean that is smaller than many other types of white beans, and has an oval, slightly flattened shape.

Are pink beans navy beans? ›

They have a mild, delicate flavor. These are the beans used for the famous Boston Baked Beans. These white beans were named Navy Beans because of their inclusion in the U.S. Naval diet during the second half of the 19th Century. Pink Beans are small, oval-shaped beans with a pale, pink skin.

Are navy beans the same as soldier beans? ›

The European Soldier Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), also called a "red eye," is a white bean related to the navy bean. It is identified by the splashes of dark red surrounding the "eye" of the bean, which some people think resemble a toy soldier.

Why do they call white beans navy beans? ›

Why “Navy”? Because of their super-charged nutritional value, low cost, and long storage life, in the 19th century the U.S. Navy began issuing these beans as standard ration for sailors on their warships. A common method for preparing navy beans is to bake them.

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