Greek Butter Beans Recipe (Gigantes Plaki)
User Reviews
4.1
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
2 hrs 40 mins
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Servings
5
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Calories
446 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Greek
Greek Butter Beans Recipe (Gigantes Plaki)
Description
Greek Butter Beans Recipe (Gigantes Plaki) starts by soaking dry butter beans overnight, then boiling them gently until tender. The beans are complemented by a sauce made with sautéed onion, garlic, carrot, celery, tomato paste, fresh or canned tomatoes, and a blend of herbs including oregano, parsley, and dill. Olive oil enriches the dish, helping meld the flavors during a final simmer with a bay leaf.
The resulting dish presents tender butter beans coated in a thick, aromatic tomato and herb sauce with a balance of sweetness from carrot and slight acidity from tomato. Cooking the tomato paste until it caramelizes adds depth, while the fresh herbs offer brightness.
This recipe can be served warm as a main course with crusty bread or alongside grilled meats or salads for a traditional Greek meal. Its rich texture and comforting flavors make it suitable for cooler days or as a flavorful vegetarian option.
Ingredients
- 500 grams /17.6 oz butter beans dry, aka lima beans
- 12 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 small onion minced
- 2 small carrot cut in slices
- 2-3 large garlic chopped, cloves
- 1 tick of celery without the leaves finely chopped
- 1 large tomato or 150 grams canned diced tomatoes, ripe, finely chopped
- 65 grams / 2.2 oz tomato paste
- ⅔ teaspoon paprika sweet
- 1 teaspoon oregano or dry instead, fresh, chopped
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons dill chopped
- 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 Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 446 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 446kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 25g | 125% |
| Sodium | 123mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 832mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 4124IU | 82% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 41mg | 4% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.1
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