Greek Butter Beans Recipe - Gigantes Plaki (Vegan)

· By: Fotini · on Nov 18, 2017 | Updated:Feb 13, 2023

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Greek Butter Beans Recipe - Gigantes Plaki (Vegan) - Real Greek Recipes (1)

Do you like beans? If you nodded yes to yourself then you are at the right place. Butter beans or also known as Lima beans are a 100% tastier than plain white beans. They are bigger in size that's why we call them "Gigantes" in Greek which means Giants.

Dried For A Better Taste

We almost always prefer them in their dried white form instead of the fresh green ones. They are much tastier but they also require a bit of extra preparation (soaking before cooking) they totally worth it though.

Greek Butter Beans Recipe - Gigantes Plaki (Vegan) - Real Greek Recipes (2)

These creamy-textured beans with their buttery flavor are also packed with nutrients providing us with so many health benefits.

They are rich in high-quality protein as well as soluble fiber which helps regulate blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol. They also contain insoluble fiber, which helps to preventconstipation and digestive disorders.

The Greek Butter Beans Recipe

As for the cooking method, the Greek "Plaki" refers to food being baked in tomato sauce. Like in this delicious butter beans recipe with tomato sauce and lots of fresh herbs. To make them I first soak them 1 day before cooking. Then boil them in a large stockpot(they need their space to boil). In the same pot, you make the sauce and then finish offby baking everything in a large 11x15 inch baking pan (which I also use for making Moussaka).

Greek Butter Beans Recipe - Gigantes Plaki (Vegan) - Real Greek Recipes (3)

Most people like to top them with some crumbled feta cheese but what I personally love to have them with and truly recommend you should try is to serve them along with some Kalamata olives or fried pieces of spicy Greek sausage it's a match made in heaven.

Here are two Greek labels of Giant Beans that are flavorful and tender. The first one is the one I use most of the time.

SERVE WITH ⬇

Beans and Greek sausage is one of the best combinations ever. This saucy Spetsofai (Greek sausage with peppers in sauce) is just the perfect side dish to Baked butter beans.

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Recipe

Greek Butter Beans Recipe (Gigantes Plaki)

These butter beans are cooked on the stovetop until very tender. Then finished off in the oven together with a hearty and thick tomato sauce!

4.07 from 201 votes

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Ingredients

500 grams /17.6 oz dry butter beans (Lima beans)
12 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
1 small onion minced
2 small carrots cut in slices
2-3 large garlic cloves chopped
1 stick of celery without the leaves finely chopped
1 large ripe tomato finely chopped or 150 grams canned diced tomatoes
65 grams / 2.2 oz tomato paste
⅔ teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or dry instead
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped dill
1 bay leaf

Instructions

Soaking the beans the night before:

Fill a large cooking pot with tepid water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and add the butter beans. Let them soak overnight.

Cooking Method:

Drain butter beans in a strainer.
In a large cooking pot add 3 liters of water and the butter beans. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook for about 2 hours or until butter beans are completely soft.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft. Add the carrots and celery. Cook for 2 minutes more. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute stirring with a wooden spoon for the paste to caramelize.
Add the fresh or diced tomatoes, fresh herbs, and/or dried oregano, and sweet paprika. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes stirring with a wooden spoon.
Transfer the mixture to the pot with the butter beans. Add the bay leaf and remaining olive oil.
Raise the heat and cook for approximately 10 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.
Preheat oven to 400°F/ 200°C.
Transfer the contents of the pot to a large baking pan (about the size of the oven's tray pan) and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the sauce is thickened.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?I would love to see! Mention @real_greek_recipes or tag #real_greek_recipes!

More Vegetarian Greek Food

Skioufichta Pasta With Mizithra Cheese
Fried Egg Pasta With Mizithra (Tsouhti)
Whipped Goat Cheese Dip
Borlotti Beans Stew

Reader Interactions

Comments

Jesse says
June 28, 2019 at 5:23 pm

Thanks for the recipe!
Am I right to assume that you need to drain the beans after simmering them for 2 hours before you add the tomato/onion mixture? You're not supposed to keep whatever water is left in the pot, right?
Reply
- [emailprotected] says
  July 17, 2019 at 10:48 am
  
  It's better to keep the water since it contains most of the nutrients and flavor of the beans.
Anonymous says
June 24, 2019 at 7:36 pm

After just 15 minutes of soaking the beans, the skin is shriveled and the beans are splitting. Is that normal?!
Reply
- [emailprotected] says
  June 28, 2019 at 10:39 am
  
  No, 15 minutes is too soon to see any difference on the beans for one. And for two the difference, you should see is that they get larger in size and not fall apart.
Tracy says
June 09, 2019 at 1:46 pm

I have always read that adding salt prior to cooking beans will make them tough. What's your reason for adding salt to the soaking water?
Reply
- [emailprotected] says
  June 14, 2019 at 10:22 am
  
  I think this article can explain it much better than me https://www.thekitchn.com/think-salt-is-the-enemy-of-perfect-beans-think-again-196470
Katie says
April 10, 2019 at 1:08 am

Do you keep the liquid from when you cook the beans or drain? I drained but it seemed like liquid was needed so I added some stock.
Reply
- [emailprotected] says
  April 10, 2019 at 10:47 am
  
  Yes, you have to keep the liquid. You only drain the water they've soaked in overnight.
Brittany says
March 29, 2019 at 2:03 am

How would the recipe change if I were to use canned butter beans instead of dried ones?
Reply
- [emailprotected] says
  March 29, 2019 at 9:51 am
  
  I've never used canned beans so I cannot tell for sure Brittany.
C. Chen says
March 23, 2019 at 5:05 am

If I am unable to find butters beans, what can I use instead? Will lima beans also work?
Reply
- [emailprotected] says
  March 23, 2019 at 10:44 am
  
  They're exactly the same just under a different name!

Greek Butter Beans Recipe - Gigantes Plaki (Vegan) - Real Greek Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are gigantes the same as butter beans? ›

Gigante beans are essentially large lima beans (also known as butter beans), but they are a little different from the varieties you'd find on the shelves in the US. And that's because they are grown in Greece, in the northwest of the country in regions like Prespes.

Are gigantes beans healthy? ›

Gigantes are not only filling but also super healthy: the beans are low in fat content and an excellent source of fiber (if you're looking to lower your cholesterol, these are for you!).

Read The Full Story ›

What is another name for Gigantes beans? ›

The Italians call them corona beans; the Greeks call them gigante beans. You'll also sometimes find them labeled as butter beans. They all, in fact, stem from the good ol' lima bean.

Discover More Details ›

What is the difference between lima beans and butter beans? ›

Well, rest assured; the two are actually one in the same. There's no difference between lima beans and butter beans, though sometimes they're sold at different stages of maturity. As a matter of fact, our Large Lima Beans packaging actually states Butter Beans in parentheses, just to clarify.

Are fava beans the same as gigantes? ›

Gigantes are like giant fava beans- they're very popular in Greece. Typically, this dish is made using dried beans- so if that's what you have, great- use 'em!

Know More ›

Are Royal Corona and gigante beans the same? ›

Royal Coronas are large white European runner beans that are similar to Greek gigandes but bigger, richer and sturdier.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the healthiest bean for weight loss? ›

Navy Beans

Regularly eating navy beans may improve certain health parameters, such as body weight, blood sugar, and lipid levels. Their high protein and fiber content could help support weight loss and reduce blood sugar and blood lipid levels.

Find Out More ›

Why are butter beans so good? ›

Eating butter beans can help protect you against developing some types of anaemia. They're are rich in folate – also known as vitamin B9. This is needed to make normal red blood cells as well as to convert carbohydrates into energy.

Keep Reading ›

What is the origin of Gigantes Plaki? ›

Gigantes plaki, a traditional Greek dish that translates to "giant baked beans," is a classic vegetarian dish that features Gigante Beans in a tomato sauce. Hearty enough to be eaten for a meal by itself, it also works well alongside other dishes as a complete ensemble.

What is a substitute for gigantes? ›

If you can't find gigantes from Greece at your local ethnic market, you can substitute large lima beans, elephant beans or butter beans. This dish takes some time to cook, but this method is very "hands off" so you can stick it in the oven and forget about it while you prepare the rest of your dinner.