Characteristics – Despite the fact that Dark Red Kidneys and Light Red Kidneys (Phaseolus vulgaris) are two separate varieties, they are so closely linked in shape, taste, usage, and even growing areas, that we've opted to combine the information about them on this one site. Both red kidney varieties are grown in other states, so when you buy them, you can't be sure you're getting a California-grown bean. However, we must admit there would be little or no difference, no matter where the kidney bean is grown. In California, most of the dark red kidneys are canned, while the light red kidneys are usually sold for the dry packaged market.
How and Where Grown – Both kidney varieties are bush-type beans that are generally grown in two major growing areas in California - in the area around Stockton, and in the Sacramento Valley between Sacramento and Chico. Growers generally plant the beans anywhere from late April to early June, and harvest them in September or October. Once the beans are mature, the plants are cut off at the root, put in "windrows" to dry, then harvested ten to fifteen days later, when they are hauled to cleaning and storage facilities that in California are called warehouses. There the beans are cleaned, graded, sacked and stored until the grower decides to sell them into the normal marketing channels - usually dry packaging for light reds or canning for dark reds. It's an interesting, but probably little known fact that growers get a premium for growing a "canning quality" bean. Canners are very particular about their product, and not all beans are equally suitable for canning, since there can be problems with the final color, with splitting or with the beans being too mushy or hard. Therefore, remember that when you buy canned beans, you are getting the best quality the growers and the canners can find.
Uses and Recipes – Red Kidney Beans can liven up any meal with their beautiful bright red color, and the fact that they are as nutritious as they are versatile and pretty puts them in demand almost worldwide. Insofar as recipes are concerned, the beans are usually interchangeable, but because in some areas it's difficult to find canned light red kidneys or dark red kidneys in a package, your choice of bean may be may be influenced more by whether you prefer to use packaged beans or canned beans. As for general usage, you've probably noticed how dark red kidneys are preferred for salad bars in restaurants, while light red kidneys are very often used in chili-type recipes. The following is a list of 52 recipes using dark and light red kidney beans, with the asterisks indicating those that are heart-healthy.
Soups
*6 Bean Soup
*Bean Meatball Soup
Pesto Minestrone
Portuguese-Style Bean Soup
Santa Fe Chicken Chili
Tuscan Bean Soup
Salads
Bean and Cabbage Salad
Bean Chicken Salad
*Calico Bean Salad
*Company Salad Platter
*Curried Bean and Rice Salad
Italian Bean and Tuna Salad
*Marinated Bean Salad
Middle Eastern Bean Salad
*Mixed Bean Salad
Pasta Fagiola Salad
Polenta Salad and Kidney Beans
Tuna Taco Salad
Vegetable Bean Salad
Entrees
*California Chuckwagon Beans
French-Style Bean and Sausage Casserole
*Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake
Hot Bean Sandwiches
*Italian Sausage and Bean Skillet
*Mixed Bean Casserole
*Pioneer Bean Pot
Quick Lasagna With Bean Sauce
*Red Beans and Rice
*Shrimp and Red Beans Creole
*Sunshine Bean Casserole
Mexicana
Bean and Eggs
*Bean Burritos
Enchilada Casserole
Lima Salad Gazpacho
*Meritas Taco Salad
*Mexican Style Bean Sandwiches
*Mock Enchilada Casserole
*Party Tacos
*Pat's Old Fashioned Chil
Quick Refried Beans Con Carne
Salsa Chicken Beans and Rice
Southwest Lean Bean Scramble
Tex-Mex Microwave Chili
*Western Chili Con Carne
Specialties/ Appetizers
Blueberry Bean Muffins
Bean Pot Stickers
Low-Fat Spicy Bean Dip
Reuben Bean Sandwiches
Side Dishes/ Specialties
Confetti Bean Stir-fry
Microwave Bean and Sausage Casserole
Skillet Chili Macaroni
Pizza/ Pasta
