Pigeon peas are a plant native to Africa. People often use them with Jamaican rice and spices. Because of their soft properties, they are an ideal thickener for curries and soups.
But, if you are out of green Pigeon peas at home, what is good for substitution? This article is for you. We offer you 10 alternatives For Pigeon Peas.
Get ready to see the answer in the next section!
List Of 10 Pigeon Peas Substitute
1. Black-eyed Peas – Develop Sour And Salty Flavors
The Black-eyed Peas were brought from North Africa to Asia. Then they were popularized in the United States and South America through trade routes. The peas are oval, cream in color with a black spot.
They are sour and salty. After cooking, they make a thick and soft mixture. Black-eyed Peas often appear in traditional Indian dishes.
They help to add a nutty flavor to stews and savory dishes. Black-eyed Peas can replace cooked pigeon peas in soups, Jamaican rice, and curries in India and Africa.
In Western countries, people crush them into flour for frying. You also can use them in Caribbean pigeon pea salad accompanied by vinegar oil or tomato sauce. South Asians combine them with homemade coconut milk and sugar to make sweet desserts.
You can eat both fresh and dry Black-eyed Peas. Dry application is most popular because of its ease of storage and processing. You need to soak the dried beans in warm water for 2-6 hours before cooking.
Regular Black-eyed Peas intake helps reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. They provide protein, vitamins, and minerals. They help ensure the health of those who are following a diet program.
2. Yellow-eyed Peas – Enjoy A Fatty But Not Greasy Flavor
Yellow-eyed peas have the same origin as Black-eyed Peas. Nowadays, they are one of the most popular ingredients in African and Indian cuisines. They are small and cream in color, with a yellow spot in the center.
This type of legumes has a mild flavor like that of Navy beans, but their taste is more appreciated by chefs. They are fatty but not greasy.
Their taste combines with soups and meat creating harmony. You can find them with smoked ham, celery, carrots, and onions, medium tomatoes on a dining table.
Yellow-eyed peas contain substances important for the human body. They supplement iron to help strengthen red blood cells and prevent anemia.
You want to store them as dry granules in a cool place. It is recommended to soak the dried beans before cooking for time and energy saving.
3. Lima Beans – The Main Ingredients Of Paella
Lima beans are native to South America. They grow in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. The granule has an oval shape and appears in many dishes.
They are high in starch and have an almond flavor after cooking, making them compatible with corn, peppers, and tomatoes. You can combine them with bacon, ham, chicken to serve with white basmati rice.
Lima beans are one of the main ingredients of a typical Spanish paella dish. In India, people use dried beans soaked overnight and cook them in a pressure cooker to create curry. This is also the reason they are a substitute for pigeon peas.
Lima beans are creamy but contain less fat and sugar. Thus, they are a safe choice for diabetic and obese patients. They also aid in preventing anemia and cardiovascular disease.
Besides, you can also eat shells of lima beans while they are immature. This variety of beans is also used as crimini mushroom substitute.
You need to soak the dried beans in warm water before you cook them. But there’s no need to do that with the fresh ones.
Read also: Mushroom Substitutes: A Complete Guide To Finding Great Options
4. Lentils Beans – Delivers Sweet And Fragrant Flavor
The lentil beans are one of the main staples of Indian cuisine. They appear in a variety of colors depending on the climate where they are grown.
You can see brown lentils, yellow lentils, and red beans. Each has a little bit of a difference in taste, but in general, they are sweet and fragrant.
They are often found in curries or combined with meat to serve with Jamaican rice. They taste earthy and are usually softened after cooking. You can also crush them for frying or baking.
Lentil beans appear throughout West Asia, South Asia, and the Mediterranean. Some well-known dishes that use lentil beans are Dal tadka, dal parathas, or adas polo.
They are an excellent substitute for split pigeon pea in providing complete proteins and minerals. They also contain phytochemicals that help prevent chronic diseases.
Lentil beans travel around the world in a dry form. Before including them in your recipe, you want to wash and cook them with warm water.
Here’s a small tip: you can consider using laurel leaves and a piece of kombu to enhance the nutty flavor of Lentil beans.
5. White Acre Peas – Take Advantage Of The Shell As A Dish
White Acre peas originated in Africa. Then they began to appear in South America and Southeast Asia. They grow well in humid weather but can also withstand drought.
You will find fresh, frozen, or dried products in the supermarkets. They are green when fresh and turn brown when dry. White Acre peas have a square, oval shape.
You can fry the fresh White Acre peas on medium heat. For the mature type, remove the shell and soak the granules in fresh water before processing them. After cooking, they serve a soft creamy texture and a pale taste.
Butter, onions, or some stewed greens will enhance the flavor of White Acre peas. You also can cook them together with onion and bacon, then season with salt, black pepper, and a couple of garlic cloves. This dish is usually served with cornbread or crackers.
They can replace cooked pigeon peas in providing nutrition for humans. Scientists found protein, vitamins B1, B2, B3, and C in the structure of White Acre peas.
You can store fresh White Acre peas in the freezer for 6 months. When the white acre peas dry, people remove the pods and store the granules in a cool place. It is recommended to soak dry white acre peas in water one night before cooking.
6. Chickpeas – Ingredients Of The Falafel
Chickpeas began in the Middle East and spread out to the Mediterranean and India afterward. When fresh, they are light green, round, and lumpy. The colors turn light brown as they dry.
When cooked, Chickpeas will taste sweet and butter-like. Fresh seeds appear in boiled, fried, and steamed dishes. You can also grill Chickpeas into a snack or blend them into Chickpea flour.
Dry beans need more preparation steps before cooking. You want to soak them in water for one night before boiling with low heat. Then use the boiled beans to apply in another recipe.
Brown Chickpeas can be used in Caribbean pigeon pea rice, soups, stews, or curry. You will also find it in falafel or hummus.
They deliver an important source of protein for vegetarians and add fiber to aid the digestive system. Brown Chickpeas contain less protein and more fat than some other beans.
You can store fresh Chickpeas in the refrigerator for up to three days. The dried form will last longer.
7. Kidney Beans – Ingredient Of Caribbean Flavor
People found Kidney beans for the first time in South America. Nowadays, they are still one of the most essential ingredients in Caribbean and Amazon cuisines.
They are red and stiffer compared to some other beans. You can also see patterns, stripes, and spots on the surface of the Kidney beans.
You may use them instead of meat as a source of protein for your body. It is also a substitute for black beans.
Eating them, you will notice many positive effects. They help lower cholesterol and prevent colon cancer.
Kidney beans are a perfect alternative to several types of beans. They have a buttery soft texture that creates a creamy, subtle flavor. It is good when combining them in soups, pasta, and salads.
You can cook them in a slow cooker, combine them with sour cream, coriander, and a little shredded cheese. The combination of pasta and sausage also results in great taste.
Dried beans will preserve the color and nutty flavor when stored in a cool place. You should cook them well, as any uncooked individual may ruin your appetite and risk bringing toxicity to the body.
8. Navy Beans – The Nutrient Source For Heavy Physical Activity
Navy beans originated in America. They are white, have an oval shape, and are slightly flattened. It is found in dishes such as baked beans, baked goods, and various soups.
The reason people call them Navy is because they are the main food serving the US Navy in World War 2. The reason why chefs prefer it on the menu for sailors is its great value of nutrition.
The scientists found plenty of carbohydrates, fiber, protein and copper in the Navy beans. One serving can release optimal energy for all-day activity.
Navy beans can be a substitute for any type of bean, combined with some red chili, fresh parsley, lemon, and some cloves garlic in a salad. They are a smart choice for vegetarians.
Dried beans have a longer storage time than canned ones. You want to remove any discolored granules before cooking since the discoloration indicates that the nutrients have also changed.
9. Fava Beans – Taste Soft And Sweet Like Butter
Fava beans are green, with an average diameter of 5-10mm. Archaeologists found traces of them in Israel. People believe that they have grown since ancient times.
They contain a lot of starch, making them feel soft like butter after cooking. If you pay close attention, they will taste sweet.
They are rich in fiber, which is beneficial for the digestive system. Besides, they also enhance oxygen transport through the blood.
If the beans are young, you can eat them raw. For mature beans, you should boil, fry, stew, or steam. You can also use them with salads or process them into a sauce.
With their high starch content, Fava beans are suitable as a filling in fried foods. You can also find them in pasta or savory rice dishes in place of split pigeon peas.
Fresh unshelled Fava Beans keep nutrients for 10 days in the cooler or 30 days in the freezer. Doctors recommend not taking a lot of Fava beans at once because of the risk of anemia for some people.
10. Pinto Bean – Characteristic Of Mexican Cuisine
Pinto beans often appear in Mexican and American cuisines. They are beige before cooking but will turn brown after cooking. Since the granules are small, you can eat them whole; sometimes, you can also see them as powder.
They contain many vitamins and minerals. The appearance of Pinto beans in meals will prevent obesity and heart disease.
Pinto beans are a smart alternative to pigeon peas. They are inexpensive and safe to eat for most people.
You can use them to make soup, stews or cook them with savory rice dishes. The easiest way is to boil them on low heat. Then add the cooked beans to the existing salad and start enjoying.
Another application of Pinto beans is the powder for use as a condiment. You fry them, then ground them into a spice blend and season this powder in whatever dish you like.
You can use both fresh and dried Pinto beans. But, preserving dry granules is easier.
Before you cook, you want to use water to remove bad beans. If you want to save cooking time and fuel, it’s best to soak them in water before cooking.
You want to keep fresh granules in a closed can. Storing canned Pinto beans in a cool place will extend the expiry date up to 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pigeon Peas Good For You?
100 grams of Pigeon peas provides 21.7g protein, 1,392 mg Potassium, and 456 μg Folate. High folate content helps prevent anemia. High levels of protein aids in cell building and regeneration. These peas boost your energy all day. Pigeon peas are suitable to serve vegetarians and those who have chronic illnesses or are on a diet.
What Is The Difference Between Pea And Bean?
Peas are generally round, while beans have a wider variety of shapes. Beans usually grow in tropical or subtropical regions. Peas prefer colder climates.
In the kitchen, they all differ from each other. Peas need a short cooking time, while Beans demand more preparation and time to be cooked well.
What Are Common Problems With Eating Peas Or Beans?
Both of these granules produce gas in the stomach. They need air to break down their structures, causing the person to ingest air while eating. Fiber and raffinose also increase the amount of gas in the digestive system.
What Are Other Names For Pigeon Pea?
You may see Congo peas, red gram, Grandule Verde, or Gungo peas appear while searching for pigeon peas. This variety of legume is about the same thing.
Final Thought
You will now have 10 Pigeon peas substitute. We hope this article gave you a lot of knowledge and ideas to breathe life into your cookbook.
Whether you need it now, don’t forget to share it with your friends and relatives. If you have any other suggestions for our list, please leave a comment.
