The great northern bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is a medium-sized, flattened-oval, ivory-white common bean — a North American haricot type that sits between the small navy bean and the large cannellini. Mild, faintly nutty and a touch sweet, it cooks to a tender, creamy interior while holding its shape better than the smaller navy bean, which makes it the all-purpose white bean for soups, stews, baked beans, cassoulet and purées.