Kidney beans get their name from their shape. Larger than red beans, they are part of many Southwestern dishes and are sometimes used as a meat substitute in Mexican tacos. These beans keep their shape when cooked and tend to absorb the flavors of accompanying foods.

Dark Red Kidney Beans

Some recipes, like rice and beans, will offer a choice of either kidney beans or red beans in the ingredient list. Despite their subtle differences in size and taste, kidney beans are higher in protein and most minerals than red beans. An excellent source of fiber, kidney beans are slightly higher in calories.