Gigantes (Greek baked lima beans)

This Greek fashion dish of gigantes plaki, buttery lima beans baked in a tomato sauce, will be served as a mezze (an appetizer) or as a tasty facet dish. It is a easy recipe loaded with a lot alluring Mediterranean taste and it is really easy to make!

Greek gigantes plaki in oval white baking dish with a spoon.

The best of meals can typically be the yummiest, and this straightforward however basic Greek dish of gigantes, or big beans, is an ideal instance of that. Creamy lima beans are drowned in a tangy, herb-seasoned tomato sauce and the result’s nothing in need of spectacular — and terribly scrumptious.

The gigantes beans, additionally referred to as butter beans for a superb cause, change into tender and creamy within the oven and the tomato sauce mellows right into a wealthy, alluring sweetness. And all this utilizing solely pantry substances.

I shared this recipe with you a number of years again and it is since garnered greater than 130 five-star evaluations from readers. I’m updating the previous submit with new photographs of the ultimate dish and extra step-by-step directions and photographs to make clear the method of constructing these gigantes. If you’re nonetheless sitting on the fence, I hope this may make you go for it!

Desk of Contents

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • There’s a lot taste packed on this easy recipe. Lima beans are amongst my favorites to prepare dinner with as a result of they prepare dinner so shortly! I am keen on them in recipes like this lima bean curry and mashed lima bean potatoes. On this gigantes recipe the creamy beans with the tangy-sweet tomatoes are superb!
  • You want simply eight substances. There are a number of extra substances which can be fully non-compulsory. And every part used on this recipe comes from the pantry.
  • It is a easy dish. Placing this dish collectively is really easy and it’s suited even to newbie cooks, as long as you comply with directions.
  • It is a versatile dish. You may serve these Greek beans as an appetizer or a facet. Or you may make a meal of it by serving them with a crusty slice of bread drizzled with olive oil.
  • It is a gorgeous dish. I really like the deep pink of this dish and it by no means fails to wow.
  • It is suited to all diets. Vegan, soy-free, nut-free, gluten-free–we’ve acquired you lined!
Greek gigantes in a bowl with oregano garnish.

Substances

  • Big lima beans. You should use canned massive or big lima beans, or common lima beans, on this recipe. I prepare dinner mine from scratch and since limas prepare dinner so shortly you needn’t soak the beans in a single day. You will want a pound of big or massive lima beans.
  • Further virgin olive oil
  • Aromatics: Onions and garlic.
  • Tomatoes: You will want two sorts on this recipe–canned diced tomatoes (pureed tomatoes will do) and tomato paste. If utilizing canned plum tomatoes crush them together with your fingers earlier than including to the pan.
  • Herbs: Dried thyme and dried oregano.
  • Salt and floor black pepper.

Elective substances:

  • Paprika: I exploit this primarily for colour. You may skip it with no noticeable lack of taste.
  • Celery. I exploit it simply as typically as I do not. You may skip it if you do not have it and you’ll nonetheless get nice outcomes.
  • Contemporary herbs: Use chopped parsley or oregano, if desired, for garnish.
Gigantes lima beans in white oval baking dish with spoon.

Recipe FAQs

Can I prepare dinner the lima beans on the range?

To prepare dinner the lima beans on the range, place the lima beans in a lare pot or saucepan. Cowl with two inches of water, season with salt and add a bay leaf if desired. Deliver to a boil, cowl and prepare dinner half-hour over medium low warmth or till the beans are tender. Add extra water if the pot dries up at any level. Drain the beans earlier than utilizing.

I can not discover the large lima beans. Can I exploit common limas on this recipe?

Big lima beans are conventional for this recipe however if you cannot discover them you need to use common lima beans.

Can I make this recipe with frozen lima beans?

Sure, assuming they’re cooked, you may add them on to the pot. If not, prepare dinner them in boiling water till they’re tender earlier than including.

Storage directions

  • Refrigerate: Retailer the baked beans within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
  • Freeze: Place the gigantes in a freezer protected container or hermetic container and freeze for as much as three months.
  • Reheat: Thaw, if frozen. Reheat within the oven or microwave.

Extra Greek impressed recipes

Gigantes served in white bowl with the baking dish in background.

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Greek gigantes served in off-white bowl.

Gigantes (Greek Lima Beans)

This straightforward however gorgeous Greek fashion dish of gigantes plaki, buttery lima beans baked in a wealthy tomato sauce, will be served as a mezze (an appetizer) or as a tasty facet dish. It is a easy recipe loaded with a lot taste and it is really easy to make!

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Course: Aspect Dish

Delicacies: Greek

Weight-reduction plan: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: 8 servings

Energy: 101kcal

Creator: Vaishali · Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes

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Directions

  • Rinse the dried massive lima beans in loads of water. Place the beans and 5 cups water within the On the spot Pot liner. Add a teaspoon of salt and, in order for you, a bay leaf. See recipe notes under for stovetop directions.

  • Prepare dinner the beans for 25 minutes and permit strain to launch naturally. If quick on time, power launch 10 minutes after cooking has ended. Pressure the beans and put aside.

  • Preheat oven to 350 levels Fahrenheit/180 levels Celsius.

  • Warmth olive oil in a skillet or massive saucepan with the garlic. As soon as the garlic takes on a light-weight golden colour add the onions and celery, if utilizing. Season with salt and floor black pepper. Saute 5 minutes or till onions have softened.

  • Add the dried oregano and dried thyme. Combine.

  • Stir within the diced tomatoes or tomato puree and the tomato paste. Add paprika, if utilizing.

  • Add two cups of water or vegetable inventory. Combine properly and produce to a boil.

  • Add the cooked lima beans to the pot and gently stir them in. Do not mash the beans, you need them entire within the ultimate dish.

  • Deliver the lima beans to a boil. Examine seasoning and add extra salt and pepper if wanted. Flip off the range.

  • Pour the lima beans combination right into a 4-quart or bigger baking dish

  • Place in a preheated 350 diploma Fahrenheit oven and bake 60-70 minutes or till the highest is crusty. Garnish with recent parsley or oregano, if desired, and serve sizzling, heat or at room temperature.

Recipe notes

  • To prepare dinner the lima beans on the range, place the lima beans in a lare pot or saucepan. Cowl with two inches of water, season with salt and add a bay leaf if desired. Deliver to a boil, cowl and prepare dinner half-hour over medium low warmth or till the beans are tender. Add extra water if the pot dries up at any level. Pressure the beans earlier than utilizing.

Storage directions

  • Refrigerate: Retailer the baked beans within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
  • Freeze: Place the gigantes in a freezer protected container or hermetic container and freeze for as much as three months.
  • Reheat: Thaw, if frozen. Reheat within the oven or microwave.

 

Diet

Energy: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fats: 2g | Saturated Fats: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fats: 1g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 433mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 369IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 3mg

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