Great Northern Beans (kidney beans)

Great Northern beans are white and medium-sized with a mild flavor. They hold their shape well so they can be stewed or used in soups. They are good at absorbing the flavors they’re cooked with, so they can complement a variety of ingredients.

Sometimes called white kidney beans, cannellini beans are the largest type of white bean, which makes them meatier than other white beans like Great Northern beans or navy beans. However, they have a similar mild and nutty flavor. They also hold up well in soups and stews and can be tossed in salads. You may have eaten them in minestrone (but red kidney beans are also common, more on those later).