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4.9 from 147 votes

Oven-Baked Greek Giant Beans (Gigantes Plaki)

This classic Greek giant beans dish is the ultimate comfort food, simmered in a hearty tomato and vegetable sauce and infused with Mediterranean flavors like garlic, onions, and fresh dill.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time
2 hrs
Servings: 5 servings
Course: Side Dish , Dinner
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

  • 500 gr giant beans
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced ​​vertically
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 800 gr crushed tomatoes
  • 2 red peppers cut into thin slices
  • 1 stick of celery chopped
  • 2 carrots thinly sliced ​​vertically
  • ½ bunch dill chopped
  • 200 ml olive oil
  • salt
  • pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Soak the beans overnight in a large bowl with enough cold water.
  2. Preheat the oven to 180°C/356° F with the fan on.
  3. Strain the beans and place them in a deep pot. Cover with water and simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until the beans are soft, skimming at regular intervals.
  4. Strain the beans, retaining 200 ml (~1 cup) of the water.
  5. Pour half the olive oil into a small frying pan and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, red peppers, celery, and carrots. Cook for 5 minutes until they caramelize.
  6. Place the giant beans in a heatproof dish. Add the vegetables, tomatoes, the remaining olive oil, the retained water, dill, and season with salt and pepper on top.
  7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the beans are mushy and well-cooked.
  8. Serve the beans hot, straight from the oven.

Notes

  • Chef’s tip: To ensure that the beans boil quickly, add 1/4 cup of baking soda when soaking them.
  • To ensure that the beans boil quickly, add 1/4 cup of baking soda when soaking them.