5-Minute Cannellini Recipe

Some of the links in this post might be affiliate links.This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission – at no extra cost for you, which helps me cover the costs for this blog.

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

Are cannellini beans and great northern beans the same thing? ›

Cannellini and great northern beans are similar but they do have subtle differences in flavor and texture. That said, if it's 30 minutes until dinnertime and you're staring at a can of the "wrong" kind of beans in your pantry, rest assured that you can swap one for another.

Tell Me More ›

Are small white beans the same as cannellini beans? ›

Cannellini Beans or White beans are just one of the many varieties common to North America. There are many “white beans”, the most common being, Cannellini Bean, Navy Bean and Great Northern. The Great Northern bean is the main ingredient in the popular recipe, Baked Beans.

Get More Info Here ›

Are cannellini beans the same as butter beans? ›

Compared to butter beans, cannellini beans have a nuttier flavor and sturdier makeup. Nutritionally, both butter and cannellini beans are high in protein and fiber and have very similar nutritional profiles.

Keep Reading ›

Are white kidney beans the same as cannellini beans? ›

White Kidney Beans, also known as Cannellini Beans, are large, kidney-shaped beans with a white skin. They have a soft texture, and are great ingredient for pureed dips like hummus, creamy salad dressings (i.e., Caesar salad dressing) and sauces.

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.

Read On ›

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.

Learn More Now ›

Do cannellini beans lower cholesterol? ›

Cannellini beans are low in fat and cholesterol. This makes them good for your heart. Over the years, I have observed that cannellini beans are not only delicious but also have a remarkable nutritional profile. These beans are particularly rich in protein, with content ranging between 17 and 30 per cent when dried.

See Details ›

Are white beans good for gut? ›

Beans, particularly small white navy beans, are full of gut-supporting fibers, amino acids, and other nutrients, which can help the beneficial bacteria in your colon flourish, supporting immune health and regulating inflammation, Daniel-MacDougall explains.

Show Me More ›

Can canned cannellini beans be eaten raw? ›

The reason that beans are safe to eat straight from the can is pretty simple: They're already cooked. Per Epicurious, beans are blanched before being canned with water, salt, and other additives, and then sealed and cooked under steam pressure at a high temperature before landing at your local grocery store.

Show Me More ›

What are cannellini beans called in UK? ›

Cooked organic cannellini beans (also called white kidney beans or fasolia beans) with no added salt. High in fibre and protein, these mild, creamy little pebbles are very versatile and, pre-cooked, make an ideal ingredient for weeknight cooking.

Explore More ›

What are the pink bits in cannellini beans? ›

Beans and related plants have an embryo in their seeds. In white legumes, the embryo is a light pink color and looks indeed like a larva. That's likely what you're seeing.

Are cannellini beans anti inflammatory? ›

Low-calorie, nutrient-dense cannellini beans and other legumes are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties and have even been found to help people with diabetes (about half of whom also have arthritis).

Learn More ›

Do you have to cook cannellini beans from can? ›

How to prepare cannellini beans. Canned beans just need to be drained and rinsed, then they're ready to use. For dried beans, soak them in lots of cold water for a minimum of 5 hours (they'll expand, so make sure your bowl is big).

Show Me More ›

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

Haricot beans are commonly called Navy beans as well as Boston beans or pearl haricots. Cannellini beans are also known as white kidney. beans. Both are white beans but their size and taste differ.

Find Out More ›

Can you substitute cannellini beans for Great northern beans? ›

If you can't find cannellini beans, great Northern beans are the best stand-in.

Know More ›

What is the closest bean to Great northern beans? ›

For great northerns, you can opt for pinto beans, chickpeas, or lima beans. These alternatives offer a similar tender texture and mild taste that work well in delicate dishes. 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.

Get More Info ›

What bean is closest to cannellini? ›

The most common substitutes for Cannellini Beans are red kidney beans, great northern beans, butter beans, and black beans.

What is another name for Great northern beans? ›

Great northern, also called "large white" beans, are larger than navy beans as well, but smaller than cannellini beans. They have a flattened shape similar to lima beans and a delicate flavor.