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    Home » Kitchen Tips

    All About Legumes - List, Guide, Info

    Published: Jun 15, 2022 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Wooden box full of different legumes.

    If you want to know all about legumes you've come to the right place! Get a list of legumes, cooking guides, pictures, examples, types, and lots of information. Plus, you can find out answers to questions like What are legumes? Are green beans a legume? Read on to get all the answers.

    Wooden box full of different legumes.

    The legume family (Leguminosae or Fabaceae) is very diverse with nearly 20,000 species worldwide. These nutritious foods include many beans, peas, lentils, soya, and even licorice!

    Legumes are a dietary staple all around the world. They're also often a big part of vegan and vegetarian diets and often found on vegan grocery lists, not only for their variety of tastes but because they're a great source of fiber and protein.

    But although you may love black beans, broad beans, and chickpeas, you may have a lot of questions about this classification of vegetables.

    So this article is here to not only give you a list of legumes but to answer all your questions!

    Jump to:
    • What are legumes?
    • Types of legumes
    • Are legumes a vegetable?
    • Are green beans a legume?
    • What are pulses?
    • Examples of Legumes
    • Recipes

    What are legumes?

    You're probably here because you're wondering, what are legumes?

    It's simple: Legumes are edible seeds that grow in pods, in the Fabaceae or Leguminosae botanical family.

    Types of legume include beans, peas, peanuts, lentils, and lupins.

    Green peas and green beans are eaten in their immature form. Dried peas, chickpeas, beans, and lentils are eaten in their mature form.

    Legumes come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. They can be found in many formats including dried, canned, cooked, frozen, split, or ground into flours.

    Legumes refer to all beans, peas, and lentils, including fresh and dried.

    They play an important role in human health, providing an inexpensive and nutritious source of fiber and plant-based protein.

    Try them in these lists of the 15 Best Lentil Recipes and 18 Best Bean Recipes.

    Fun fact: Lentils have been eaten since 6,750BC in what is now the Middle East.

    Types of legumes

    1. Beans - such as pinto beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, kidney beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), great northern beans. Tofu, from soybeans, is a legume.
    2. Peas - such as English peas, snow peas, mangetout, sugar snap peas.
    3. Peanuts
    4. Lentils - such as red lentils, brown lentils, green lentils, puy lentils.
    5. Lupins - popular served pickled in Mediterranean countries, lupini are small round yellow beans.

    Are legumes a vegetable?

    Yes, a legume is considered to be a vegetable. They are a classification of vegetables that includes beans, lentils, and peas.

    They belong to the vegetable food group. Other food groups are fruit, protein, dairy, and grains.

    Try them in these recipes: Green Beans with Cranberries and Pecans, Green Beans Almondine, and Green Bean Casserole.

    Are green beans a legume?

    Yes. Since the fruit of the green bean plant is inside a pod, green beans are legumes.

    What are pulses?

    Pulses are dried edible seeds that grow in pods (legumes). They include dried peas, beans and lentils. Pulses are rich in fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and nutrients such as B vitamins.

    Although pulses are part of the legume family, the main difference is that pulses are dried. Therefore, fresh peas are considered legumes, while dried peas are also considered pulses.

    Many pulses need to be soaked before cooking, but smaller pulses, such as dried red lentils, can be cooked without soaking.

    Since they are dried, pulses are inedible when uncooked. They must be rehydrated to restore the moisture that is removed in the drying process. This is usually done by soaking or boiling. Soaking first often reduces the cooking time.

    Types of pulses include dried split peas, black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas, but do not include soybeans, peanuts, or fresh beans. They are all considered to be legumes as well as pulses.

    Fun fact: The word 'pulse' comes from the Latin word puls, which translates to mean seeds that can be made into a thick soup.

    Examples of Legumes

    If you're wondering which vegetables are legumes, here is a list of many common varieties:

    • alfalfa sprouts
    • adzuki beans
    • bean sprouts
    • black beans
    • black-eyed peas
    • borlotti beans
    • broad beans / fava beans
    • chickpeas / garbanzos
    • green beans
    • kidney beans
    • lentils
    • licroice
    • lima beans / butter bean
    • mangetout
    • mung beans
    • navy beans
    • peanuts
    • pinto beans
    • split peas
    • sugar snap peas
    • soy beans / tofu
    • peas

    Recipes

    Now that you've had all your questions answered, you will probably want to cook up some of these healthy beans, peas and lentils.

    The good news is that there are SOOOO many recipes to try, from many cuisines around the world. We hope you'll find plenty of inspiring ways to incorporate them into your diet more often.

    So, if you're looking for legume recipes using these healthy veggies, then here are plenty! Try a Legume Salad or Mashed Legumes on Toast.

    Try these recipes too:

    Legume Recipes

    Make the most of healthy legumes with these great recipes! The vegetarian and vegan recipes contain hero ingredients that are edible seeds that grow in pods, in the Fabaceae or Leguminosae botanical family - making them legumes!

    Tomato White Bean Soup

    This one-pot easy tomato soup is chunky and hearty and full of legumes in the form of white beans!

    Red Bean Stew

    Turn red beans (legumes) plus vegetables into this hearty red bean stew. Full of flavor and healthy comfort food.

    Chana Masala

    You'll love this easy, classic Chana Masala curry, full of healthy chickpeas (garbanzo beans).

    Moroccan Chickpea Soup

    Moroccan flavors make this easy chickpea soup full of great flavors. It's easy to make and full of nourishing ingredients.

    Carrot Top White Bean Dip

    Blend white beans with carrot tops (or parsley) to make this delicious dip. Perfect for chips or veggies.

    Carrot Top Salad with Chickpeas

    This carrot salad has chickpeas, raisins and a tasty dressing. Perfect for summertime.

    Broad Bean Bruschetta (Fava Beans)

    Flavorful broad beans (fava beans) are perfect mashed with avocado and seasonings, then spread on toast. A great light lunch or appetizer.

    Warm Spring Salad with Crispy Butter Beans

    Sauteed butter beans add a great texture to this spring salad full of radishes and asparagus.

    Easy Dal Tadka (Tarka Daal)

    This dal tadka is a classic Indian curry. You'll love the rich, bold flavors.

    Easy Lentil Soup

    This easy blended lentil soup recipe is quick to make, and full of nourishing legumes (red lentils).

    Rajma Masala (Kidney Bean Curry)

    Kidney beans form the base of this rich and tasty curry. Full of nourishing ingredients and super easy to make!

    Persian Grilled Vegetable Tofu Skewers

    Tofu is made with soybeans, so is considered a legume. It's great served on skewers with Persian flavors.

    Easy Vegan Vegetable Tagine

    Vegetables and chickpeas are perfect in a vegan tagine - full of Moroccan flavors.

    Vegan Chili Mac n Cheese

    Add corn and kidney beans to your mac and cheese, for a great Tex-Mex flavor!

    Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Carrot Fritters

    Shredded carrots, Moroccan spices and chickpeas all combine in these simple fritters. Perfect as a side dish or light dinner served with salad.

    Asian Tofu with Spicy Garlic Sauce

    Cubes of tofu are the perfect vehicle for a tangy, sweet Asian-style sauce. Perfect with steamed greens and rice.

    Jamaican Jerk Tofu Skewers

    Jamaican jerk spices are delicious on tofu vegetable skewers. Perfect cooked on the grill and served with rice and beans. Double the legumes!

    Lentil Stew with Harissa

    This easy, comforting lentil stew is spiced up with rich and bold harissa paste. So tasty and nourishing.

    Mini Lentil Tacos

    Use lentils for a veggie or vegan filling in these cute little mini tacos!

    Easy Chickpea Curry

    You only need 15 minutes to make this rich and tasty chickpea curry! Serve it with a scoop of rice and steamed kale for a full meal.

    Easy Tofu Curry

    Cubes of tofu are cooked in a rich Indian spiced gravy. You'll love this quick and easy curry recipe!

    Pea Hummus

    Whiz up peas and chickpeas (both legumes!) into this flavorful hummus!

    Vegan Chicken Nuggets

    Chickpeas for the texture and bulk in these cute vegan 'chicken' nuggets!

    Vegan Thai Noodle Bowl with Air Fried Tofu

    Tofu gets wonderfully crispy when cooked in the air fryer. Serve it on top of a flavorful noodle salad!

    Spanish Beans with Tomatoes

    Make this Spanish-inspired bean stew in no time. Perfect served with rice, mashed potato or on its own with bread to dunk.

    Easy Mexican Bean Soup

    This Mexican bean soup is filled with nourishing legumes! Delicious served with tortillas, salsa and avocado.

    The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl

    This red lentil dhal is always popular on this website! So many readers make it again and again!

    Vegan Shepherds Pie

    This vegan shepherd's pie uses nourishing lentils to form the base. They're a great texture and full of goodness. Instead of mashed potato on top, try it with crushed baby potatoes!

    Easy Vegan Peanut Stew Recipe

    This West African-inspired peanut stew is full of veggies and seasonings. It has a wonderful rich flavor.

    Popped Beans with Herbs

    Make these 'popped beans' in minutes and serve them on salads, soups, or as a side dish. They have a great texture and taste amazing with lots of fresh herbs.

    Beetroot Hummus on Toast with Avocado

    This vibrant hummus is full of chickpeas, seasonings and beets! It's so beautiful, particularly serve with an avocado rose.

    Mexican Chipotle Tortilla Bowl Salad

    Black beans are perfect in these Mexican tortilla bowls. A full meal that looks incredible and is easy to make!

    Easy Bean Burger with Mustard Mayo

    Refried beans are an easy way to make a bean burger! Simple and soooo tasty.

    You can also find out more about veggies with this Vegetables List.

    You may also be interested in a list of the Cruciferous Vegetables.

    Be sure to also check out this list of Vegetables That Start with A, as well other lists with the rest of the alphabet.

    More Kitchen Tips

    • Vegetables That Start With Z
    • Vegetables That Start With Y
    • Vegetables That Start With W
    • Is Onion a Vegetable?
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    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

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    Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

    Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

    Collage of press logos.

    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Healthy Recipes

    • Butternut Squash Salad
    • Easy Healthy Cabbage Soup
    • Easy Vegan Ramen (15 minutes)
    • Rajma Masala (Kidney Bean Curry)

    My cookbook

    Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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