Mung beans are versatile and nutritious legumes that you get to see used in the preparation of various cuisines since they are very much needed to play a starring role in a variety of dishes. Whether you want something sweet in taste or savory, the mung beans have always got you covered.
Mung beans happen to be one of the easy-to-locate ingredients out there. However, there might be some instances where your favorite supplier might choose to act funny, and the mung beans are nowhere to be found in their retail store. We ll There is no actual need or cause for panic should that be the case.
Well, should there be days when the mung beans are unavailable for you to use, there are some other fantastic alternatives that can always help and come to your rescue while keeping your cooking game intact.
Interested in finding out more about these fantastic alternatives? Well below have been highlighted 7 of the best substitute for mung beans you can always consider trying out on days when the mung beans are unavailable for you to use.
Best Substitute For Mung Beans
1. Chickpea
Chickpeas, which in some other regions can also be referred to as garbanzo beans, come to the top of our list of superb substitute for mung beans. A super nutritious alternative option to stick with and enjoy a meal that can be both healthful and tasty at the same time.
Blessed with a versatile mild and nutty flavor, there is little or nothing to worry about as regards chickpeas complimenting various meals in many cuisines. Additionally, as a substitute for mung beans, Chickpeas have also gotten a high level of protein, fiber, and other minerals, making them a healthier choice.
Finally, as a substitute for mung beans, chickpeas as a weight loss food can easily come in place of mung beans in curries, salads, stews, and dips.
2. Lentils
Lentils, as a substitute for mung beans, do come in different varieties and shades of colors, and it is known for their nutritional content of being rich in protein and fiber, making them a healthier option of a substitute you can always stick with as well.
Talking about its different varieties and shades of colors, lentils as a substitute for mung beans can always be found in their red, green, brown, and black varieties, with each and every single one of them unique in their way inside of your recipes.
Starting with the red lentils which are blessed with a creamy texture that works well in dal, soup, and other dishes, followed suit by the green lentils which perfectly complement salads, stews, and other heartier recipes, not forgetting as well the black lentils which are ideal for salads, grain bowls, and other solid foods.
3. Adzuki beans
Adzuki beans, falling under this list of excellent substitute for mung beans, happen to be one of the sweetest alternatives you can always dream of having inside your kitchen. A common ingredient in Japanese and Korean cuisine, although different in style, would always be simitoto, the mung beans with their nutty taste and creamy texture.
Popular for being one of the rich sources of protein, fiber, antioxidants, and other minerals out there, Adzuki is a substitute for mung be and works well in dishes that ordinarily call for some level of sweetness, such as Asian sweets or savory ones like bean burgers or dips.
4. Anko
Anko, as a substitute for mung beans, is more like a subsidiary of the aforementioned Adzuki beans. A delicious red bean paste with a common presence among Japanese desserts such as mochi and dorayak.
Interestingly enough, this option of a substitute happens to be birthed by the aforementioned Adzuki beans since it happens to be one of the most popular Adzuki bean foods out there as well.
However, it isn’t as versatile as the rest of the alternative options on the list since, as a substitute for mung beans, it is majorly used for baking m anko cookies, which certainly should come out delicious.
5. Black beans
Black beans are yet another alternative option that can always be substituted for mung beans in many recipes. This is made possible because of its deep, earthy taste and solid texture, which are very much-needed properties inside soups, stews, and salads.
Nutritionally, black beans have also been tested and passed the test of being rich in protein, fiber, iron, and other elements that are required to make your dishes a balanced diet.
Finally, black beans are also common in Mexican, Caribbean, and South American cuisines; particularly vegetarian dishes like chili, tacos, and burritos.
6. Soybeans
Soybeans are also hearty legumes that can come in place and swap in for the mung beans in many recipes, placing them in a better position of being one of the best substitutes for mung beans. Blessed with its content that is rich in Protein, fiber, and other nutrients, it is safe to call soybeans a nutritious option of a substitute for mung beans as well.
To go about putting soybeans into use as a substitute for mung beans, you should always have it at the back of your mind that they tend to be bigger and firmer than mung beans, meaning it is expected of them to have longer cooking time.
7. Mung bean sprouts
Whether it also comes in its canned or dried form, soybeans should always be your favorite substitute for mung beans when it comes to veggie stir-fries since it has a texture that can stand up to strong seasonings.
Mung bean sprouts, as a substitute for mung beans, are the direct offspring of the mung beans themselves since they happen to be young plants that emerge from mung beans and appear to be long, slender, and crunchy.
Mung bean sprouts come about by merely soaking and germinating dried beans and are commonly found in the Asian market since they are mostly used in the preparation of Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese cuisines.
However, there are also some other rare instances where it gets to be used for salads, stir-fries, and soups because of its crunch and brightness.
Conclusion
On days when it happens that you’re missing that one crucial ingredient which is mung beans, you can always run to each and every single one of the aforementioned substitutes to come to your rescue, each one of them known to bring their unique flair to the table and keep your cooking session going even without the mung beans.