Differences Between Kidney Beans & Pinto Beans

Features

• Kidney beans are named for their distinctive kidney shape. They range from light to dark reddish brown in color. Pinto beans are oval in shape, with splotches of various colors when raw. They turn light pink or beige when cooked.

Vitamins

• Like all beans, both kidney and pinto beans are a fantastic source of fiber. Both are also a great source of protein, but kidney beans are slightly higher, providing 15.3 grams of protein per cup. Pinto beans provide 14 grams per cup.

Health Benefits

• Kidney and pinto beans provide iron, great for an energy boost and particularly helpful for menstruating or pregnant women. One cup of kidney beans provides almost 30% of your daily recommended iron intake, while a cup of pinto beans supplies just under 25%.

Typical Dishes

• The two types of beans are fairly interchangeable in recipes. Pinto beans are especially popular in southern recipes, like slow-cooked beans with ham hocks, sausage, and vegetables. Kidney beans work well in hearty winter soups.

Popularity

• While both beans are popular both canned and dried, The World's Healthiest Foods reports that pinto beans "are the most highly consumed dried bean in the United States."