01
Mung Beans
10.0best for drink1 cup : 1 cup
Tiny sprouted beans; lighter and crunchier, works in stir-fries and salads
10.0
edamame substitute
for drink.
Drink edamame — bean milks, green bean smoothies, matcha-edamame shakes, soup-shot style chilled sippers — wants a sub that blends fully smooth in 60-90 seconds on high with 1.5 cups liquid per cup bean, strains through 100-mesh sieve with under 5% pulp rejection. Subs ranked by dissolution smoothness at 40°F, suspension stability over 15 minutes (bean milk settles without emulsifiers), and color-and-sweetness compatibility with the blended-drink category.
top substitutes
adjustment for drink
Cooked mung beans 1 cup blend 90 seconds with 1.5 cups water, 2 tbsp sweetener, 1 tsp vanilla for Asian-style mung bean milk. Strain through 100-mesh. Pale-green color, mild flavor. Suspension stable 24 hours at 40°F; shake before each pour. Pair with mochi or stone fruit.
02
Tempeh
6.7best for drink1 cup : 1 cup
Fermented soy cake; slice and pan-fry for crispy exterior, nuttier and chewier than edamame
6.7
adjustment for drink
Steam tempeh 10 minutes, cool, blend 1 cup with 1.5 cups almond milk for savory-umami drink (niche — better as smoothie base). Strain. Color reads cloudy-tan. Best with bold seasonings (miso, ginger, turmeric); plain tempeh smoothie reads flat. Hold 24 hours 40°F; shake well.
03
Tofu
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Soft soy curd; press and cube firm tofu for similar protein, milder flavor than whole beans
10.0
adjustment for drink
Silken tofu 1 cup blend 60 seconds with 1.5 cups liquid (milk, almond milk) plus fruit, 2 tbsp sweetener for silky smoothie. No straining needed. 6% protein gives staying power. Holds 12 hours at 40°F without separation. Excellent base for tropical fruits (mango, pineapple) or berry blends.
show 8 more substitutes
04
Black Beans
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Dark and earthy; firmer when cooked, similar protein content, works in burritos and salads
10.0
adjustment for this dish
Canned black beans rinsed 1/2 cup blend 90 seconds with 1.5 cups almond milk, 2 tbsp cocoa, 2 tbsp maple syrup for high-protein chocolate shake. Strain fine for smoothest texture. Color reads dark brown like chocolate milk. Holds 12 hours 40°F; pulp settles — shake before pouring.
05
Chickpeas
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Tan and nutty; use shelled edamame 1:1, slightly firmer bite with bright green color
10.0
adjustment for this dish
Canned chickpeas rinsed 1/2 cup blend with 1.5 cups water, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp cinnamon for traditional Mexican horchata-adjacent chickpea drink. Strain through 200-mesh. Pale cream color. Holds 24 hours at 40°F. Niche but works for high-protein horchata or dessert-drink applications.
06
Lima Beans
6.71 cup : 1 cup
Buttery and starchy; closest match in size and color, works in succotash and salads
6.7
adjustment for this dish
Cooked lima beans 1 cup blend with 1.5 cups water, 2 tbsp honey, vanilla for creamy starchy drink (niche). Strain through fine mesh. Pale-green color. Starchier mouthfeel than edamame milk — thin further with 1/4 cup extra water if needed. Shake before serving; settles fast at 40°F.
07
Peas
6.71 cup : 1 cup
Sweet and green, works in most dishes
6.7
adjustment for this dish
Thawed frozen peas 1 cup blend with 1.5 cups coconut water, 1 tbsp lime, fresh mint for fresh pea-mint chilled sipper. Strain through 100-mesh for smoothness. Bright-green color. Sweetness needs no added sugar. Best same-day; color oxidizes to khaki within 12 hours even refrigerated.
08
Lentils
6.71 cup : 1 cup
Small and tender; red lentils break down while green hold shape, higher protein than most beans
6.7
adjustment for this dish
Cooked red lentils 1/2 cup blend with 1.5 cups almond milk, 1 tsp turmeric, 2 tbsp maple syrup, pinch cardamom for Indian-style lentil shake. Strain fine. Golden-orange color. Holds 18 hours 40°F. Protein-dense — 15g per serving; niche but works for breakfast-shake category.
09
Kidney Beans
6.71 cup : 1 cup
Large red beans; heartier and starchier than edamame, works in chili and stews
6.7
10
Corn
4.01 cup : 1 cup
Sweet yellow kernels; lighter protein than edamame, adds color and crunch to stir-fries
4.0
11
Avocado
2.51 cup : 1 cup
Blend shelled edamame for creamy green spread; nuttier and denser than avocado, add lemon
2.5