Cranberry beans, also known as Borlotti beans, are oval-shaped common beans with a creamy interior and nutty flavor. The soft beans are a favorite in Italian and Portuguese cuisines, where they often appear in traditional rustic dishes, like cranberry bean ragout, *barbounofassoula* (stewed Borlotti beans), and *feijoada* (traditional bean stew). 

Like [pinto beans](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pinto-beans-guide), black beans, and cannellini beans, cranberry beans are gluten-free and a good source of dietary fiber and protein. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find fresh cranberry beans at your local farmer’s market in the late summer, while dried cranberry beans are available in grocery stores year-round.
Like any bean, cranberry beans are a versatile addition to any menu. Here are a few ways to enjoy them:

1. __Pair them with sautéed leafy greens__. Sauté dark, flavorful greens like [kale](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-kale-varieties-and-how-to-cook-with-them) or [chard](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-swiss-chard-learn-how-to-cook-with-swiss-chard-and-sauteed-swiss-chard-recipe) with a bit of garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, then mix in a cup of cooked cranberry beans. Season with salt and pepper, and serve with [creamy polenta](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-thomas-kellers-creamy-polenta-with-mushroom-conserva-recipe), brown rice, or on its own as a side dish with a dusting of shaved [parmesan](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-using-parmesan-cheese).
2. __Make soup__. The creamy texture of cranberry beans makes them ideal for bean soups like minestrone or [*pasta e fagioli*](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-pasta-e-fagioli), where they turn cooking liquid velvety and filling.
3. __Stew them on the stovetop__. Warm cooked cranberry beans in a bit of [olive oil](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide) with fresh tomatoes and [sherry vinegar](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-cooking-sherry-dry-sherry-and-regular-sherry-plus-4-easy-recipes-using-sherry), or use them in *feijão à Portuguesa*, a stew with bacon and Portuguese-style chorizo. 
4. __Serve them solo__. Cooked cranberry beans are hearty enough to be the main event, especially when drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, topped with fresh herbs, flaky salt, and a jammy egg, and served with a hunk of grilled, crusty [sourdough bread](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sourdough-bread-recipe-and-tips) or warm [tortillas](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-flour-tortillas).
Before you begin cooking, you’ll need to prep the dried cranberry beans. Place the beans in a colander, pick through them, remove any bits of debris, and rinse them in cold water and drain. 

- __Cooking on the stovetop__: Start by searing aromatics like garlic cloves, onions, and dried [bay leaves](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-bay-leaves-17-recipe-ideas-using-bay-leaves) in a large pot. Add two cups of beans (one pound) and at least six cups of water or stock, enough to cover the beans by a few inches. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered, replenishing the water as needed until the beans are tender and cooked to preference, anywhere from 1–3 hours. (Soaking beans overnight will cut down on cooking time, but it’s not a necessary step.)
- __Cooking in a pressure cooker__: Add the beans, water or stock, and aromatics to the pressure cooker. Cook for 30–40 minutes on high pressure, according to preference. Allow the pressure to release naturally. Season the beans with salt and pepper.
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Speckled pink-and-white cranberry beans are the peacocks of the heirloom bean world thanks to their creamy, irresistible center that soaks up all the flavor.

Speckled pink-and-white cranberry beans are the peacocks of the heirloom bean world thanks to their creamy, irresistible center that soaks up all the flavor.

How to Cook Cranberry Beans: 4 Ways to Enjoy Cranberry Beans

Cranberry beans, also known as Borlotti beans, are oval-shaped common beans with a creamy interior and nutty flavor. The soft beans are a favorite in Italian and Portuguese cuisines, where they often appear in traditional rustic dishes, like cranberry bean ragout, barbounofassoula (stewed Borlotti beans), and feijoada (traditional bean stew). Like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pinto-beans-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pinto-beans-guide","linkCopy":"pinto beans","category":null}'>pinto beans</a>, black beans, and cannellini beans, cranberry beans are gluten-free and a good source of dietary fiber and protein. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find fresh cranberry beans at your local farmer’s market in the late summer, while dried cranberry beans are available in grocery stores year-round.

What Are Cranberry Beans?

Like any bean, cranberry beans are a versatile addition to any menu. Here are a few ways to enjoy them:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Pair them with sautéed leafy greens. Sauté dark, flavorful greens like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-kale-varieties-and-how-to-cook-with-them' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-kale-varieties-and-how-to-cook-with-them","linkCopy":"kale","category":null}'>kale</a> or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-swiss-chard-learn-how-to-cook-with-swiss-chard-and-sauteed-swiss-chard-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-swiss-chard-learn-how-to-cook-with-swiss-chard-and-sauteed-swiss-chard-recipe","linkCopy":"chard","category":null}'>chard</a> with a bit of garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, then mix in a cup of cooked cranberry beans. Season with salt and pepper, and serve with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-thomas-kellers-creamy-polenta-with-mushroom-conserva-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-thomas-kellers-creamy-polenta-with-mushroom-conserva-recipe","linkCopy":"creamy polenta","category":null}'>creamy polenta</a>, brown rice, or on its own as a side dish with a dusting of shaved <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-using-parmesan-cheese' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-using-parmesan-cheese","linkCopy":"parmesan","category":null}'>parmesan</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Make soup. The creamy texture of cranberry beans makes them ideal for bean soups like minestrone or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-pasta-e-fagioli' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-pasta-e-fagioli","linkCopy":"\u003cem class=\"mc-text--italic\"\u003epasta e fagioli\u003c/em\u003e","category":null}'>pasta e fagioli</a>, where they turn cooking liquid velvety and filling. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Stew them on the stovetop. Warm cooked cranberry beans in a bit of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide","linkCopy":"olive oil","category":null}'>olive oil</a> with fresh tomatoes and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-cooking-sherry-dry-sherry-and-regular-sherry-plus-4-easy-recipes-using-sherry' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-cooking-sherry-dry-sherry-and-regular-sherry-plus-4-easy-recipes-using-sherry","linkCopy":"sherry vinegar","category":null}'>sherry vinegar</a>, or use them in feijão à Portuguesa, a stew with bacon and Portuguese-style chorizo. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Serve them solo. Cooked cranberry beans are hearty enough to be the main event, especially when drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, topped with fresh herbs, flaky salt, and a jammy egg, and served with a hunk of grilled, crusty <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sourdough-bread-recipe-and-tips' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sourdough-bread-recipe-and-tips","linkCopy":"sourdough bread","category":null}'>sourdough bread</a> or warm <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-flour-tortillas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-flour-tortillas","linkCopy":"tortillas","category":null}'>tortillas</a>. </li></ol>

4 Ways to Enjoy Cranberry Beans

Before you begin cooking, you’ll need to prep the dried cranberry beans. Place the beans in a colander, pick through them, remove any bits of debris, and rinse them in cold water and drain. <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Cooking on the stovetop: Start by searing aromatics like garlic cloves, onions, and dried <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-bay-leaves-17-recipe-ideas-using-bay-leaves' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-bay-leaves-17-recipe-ideas-using-bay-leaves","linkCopy":"bay leaves","category":null}'>bay leaves</a> in a large pot. Add two cups of beans (one pound) and at least six cups of water or stock, enough to cover the beans by a few inches. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered, replenishing the water as needed until the beans are tender and cooked to preference, anywhere from 1–3 hours. (Soaking beans overnight will cut down on cooking time, but it’s not a necessary step.) </li><li class="">Cooking in a pressure cooker: Add the beans, water or stock, and aromatics to the pressure cooker. Cook for 30–40 minutes on high pressure, according to preference. Allow the pressure to release naturally. Season the beans with salt and pepper. </li></ul>

How to Cook Cranberry Beans

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Want to Learn More About Cooking?

Speckled pink-and-white cranberry beans are the peacocks of the heirloom bean world thanks to their creamy, irresistible center that soaks up all the flavor.

Speckled pink-and-white cranberry beans are the peacocks of the heirloom bean world thanks to their creamy, irresistible center that soaks up all the flavor.
