Greek baked butter beans - gigantes plaki

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Greek butter beans are a traditional delicacy that are packed with nutrition and have an amazing flavour. Naturally vegan, they’re sure to become a family favourite dinner!

Despite having never been to Greece (unless you count a layover at Athens airport) I’m a big fan of Greek food. Lots of fresh flavours, tasty vegetables, and olive oil – you can’t go wrong! It’s also a cuisine that lends itself really well to plant-based eating. This recipe for gigantes plaki – Greek baked butter beans – is a great example.

Overhead image of a white bowl Greek baked butter beans in tomato sauce, with a wedge of lemon and fresh herbs, on a decorative blue plate, surrounded by a red and white cloth. To the upper left is plate with bread on it.

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What are gigantes?

Gigantes means “giants” in Greek, and this recipe is traditionally made with ‘giant’ beans. In Greece, giant runner beans (fasolia gigantes) are used. However these can be hard to find, so the dish is also commonly made with butter beans (Phaseolus lunatus), which are also called lima beans or wax beans. Personally, I like to use butter beans in this recipe, as they’re easy to get hold of and I love their creamy texture and mild flavour.

Overhead image of a white bowl of gigantes plaki - Greek baked butter beans in tomato sauce - on a decorative blue plate, surrounded by a red and white cloth. To the right is plate with bread on it.

Why are butter beans good for you?

Butter beans are a great source of high-quality protein. They are low in fat and a good source of dietary fibre. They contain both soluble fibre, which can help in the regulation of blood sugar levels and cholesterol, and insoluble fibre which helps to maintain a healthy gut.

Butter beans are a good source of vitamins B6 and B1, and folate, plus the minerals potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and iron. They are an excellent component of a healthy, balanced diet.

Overhead image of a dish of Greek baked butter beans in a delicious tomato sauce, with a wedge of lemon and fresh herbs, on a blue and white plate with a spoon. The plate is surrounded by a red and white cloth and a plate with sliced bread is nearby.

Gigantes plaki – giant baked butter beans

To make gigantes plaki – baked giant beans – the butter beans are first soaked and cooked in water. You can skip this step (I do!) by using canned beans. Simply drain and rinse. Easy!

If you want to cook your butter beans from scratch, there’s a great article and instructions here.

Overhead close-up image of a white bowl of gigantes plaki - Greek baked butter beans in tomato sauce - topped with chopped fresh herbs.

How to make butter beans in tomato sauce

To make the sauce, first sauté a diced onion in olive oil (1), then add garlic and tomato puree for a rich flavour (2). Next add in tinned tomatoes, stock, and Greek herbs like oregano and mint (3).

Drain your cooked beans (4), and add to the sauce (5). Then cover the pot, and bake it in the oven, to create a gorgeous butter bean stew (6).

How to make Gigantes Plaki - Greek baked butter beans. 1. Saute onion until translucent. 2. Add garlic and tomato puree and cook for a minute. 3. Add tinned tomatoes and herbs and simmer. 4. Drain a tin of butter beans. 5. Add the beans to the sauce. 6. Cook in the oven until the sauce is thickened and the beans are delicious!

The slow oven-cooking process infuses the beans with the delicious flavour of the tomato sauce, and also allows the sauce to thicken and mellow. The end result is wonderfully creamy butter beans in a richly flavoursome tomato sauce.

When to eat Greek butter bean stew

Gigantes can be served hot from the oven as a vegan main dish. We love to eat these tasty Greek butter beans served over rice or couscous. You can spoon them onto a slice of grilled sourdough bread for posh baked beans on toast! Or use these delicious home-baked beans to top a jacket potato, or even a toasted crumpet.

Once the butter beans have cooled, you can serve them warm or at room temperature as part of a mezze spread. They make a delicious addition to a selection of Mediterranean dips and salads like humous, chopped salad etc. Sprinkle them with some finely chopped fresh mint or parsley or even a little grated lemon zest – beautiful!

A bowl of Greek butter beans on a blue and white plate, with a spoon, send from above. A white plate with bread is nearby.

Ingredients in Greek baked beans

To make a pot of delicious gigantes for yourself, you will need the following:

Butter beans/lima beans – I use ready-to-eat beans from a can, but you can soak and cook them from scratch if you prefer.
Onion and garlic – for a great depth of savoury flavour.
Olive oil – use Greek olive oil for a really authentic taste!
Tomato puree/tomato paste – for an intense tomato flavour.
Tinned tomatoes
Vegetable stock – for a tasty sauce.
Herbs and spices – oregano, mint, and a pinch of chilli (optional).
Fresh lemon and fresh herbs to serve.

Ingredients in Greek butter bean stew - butter beans/lima beans, olive oil, onion and garlic, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree/paste, mint, oregano and chili, fresh herbs, lemon for garnish.

FAQ and Top tips for making Gigantes plaki

What kinds of beans should I use?

I like to use canned butter beans (lima beans), but any large beans will be fine. Just make sure that you have thoroughly cooked and drained the beans before adding them to the tomato sauce.

What kind of pot is best to cook these Greek baked beans?

It’s best to use a lidded pot that can be transferred from stovetop to oven. You can prepare the sauce on the stovetop, then add the beans and pop the whole thing in the oven. I like to use a cast iron casserole, but any suitable metal pot with ovenproof handles, or a pyroflam dish, should be fine.

Can you prepare gigantes plaki in advance?

Yes! If anything, this dish benefits from a rest between cooking and eating, as it allows the flavours to mingle and mellow. You can either serve it cold or at room temperature, or gently reheat in a moderate oven before serving. If the sauce becomes very thick on cooling, you can loosen the texture by adding a little hot water.

Is this dish suitable for a vegan or gluten-free diet?

This delicious Greek dish contains only vegetables, herbs, a little olive oil and of course the beans, so it is completely vegan. In addition, none of these ingredients contain any gluten so the dish is completely gluten free! Be sure to serve it with gluten-free side dishes if you or your guests are sensitive to gluten – try it with rice, a baked potato, or these lovely Greek lemon potatoes for a truly Mediterranean feast!

Greek baked butter beans in a delicious tomato sauce - Gigantes Plaki.

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