Kidney beans and red beans are not the same. Red beans are more, well, RED and smaller than kidney beans. Kidney beans have a slightly darker color. They have a very similar texture although red beans have a slightly more "concentrated" bean flavor. In terms of nutrition, red beans and kidney beans are both packed with antioxidants, potassium, protein and fiber. They are virtually identical in terms of nutritional value and can be used interchangeably in most recipes. In this recipe, canned kidney beans are used because they are widely available. Canned red beans are much harder to find and you typically have to cook them from their "raw" form.