Gigantes Plaki
Gigantes Plaki is a Greek classic for good reason — butter beans does most of the work, and the method is approachable enough for a weeknight. Most of the time is hands-off while the oven does its thing, which makes it an easy one to fit around other dishes. Below you will find the full ingredient list, the method, and a few tips we think make the difference.
- Level Medium
Ingredients
- 400 g Butter Beans
- 3 Tbs Olive Oil
- 1 Chopped Onion
- 2 Garlic Clove
- 2 Tbs Tomato Puree
- 800 g Tomatoes
- 1 Tbs Sugar
- 1 Tbs Dried Oregano
- Ground Cinnamon
- 2 Tbs chopped Parsley
Method
- Soak the beans overnight in plenty of water. Drain, rinse, then place in a pan covered with water. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, then simmer for approx 50 mins until slightly tender but not soft. Drain, then set aside.
- Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan, tip in the onion and garlic, then cook over a medium heat for 10 mins until softened but not browned. Add the tomato purée, cook for a further min, add remaining ingredients, then simmer for 2-3 mins. Season generously, then stir in the beans. Tip into a large ovenproof dish, then bake for approximately 1 hr, uncovered and without stirring, until the beans are tender. The beans will absorb all the fabulous flavours and the sauce will thicken. Allow to cool, then scatter with parsley and drizzle with a little more olive oil to serve.
Tips for the best Gigantes Plaki
- Keep the simmer gentle. A hard boil toughens butter beans and drives off the liquid too fast.
- Use a kitchen scale for the dry ingredients if you have one — baking is less forgiving than cooking.
- Taste as you go. Seasoning at the end is fine, but adjusting halfway through gives a more balanced result.
Variations
- Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Fusion twist: keep the method but swap the spices for your own favourites — the Greek base takes well to it.
- Slow cooker: brown everything first, then cook on low for 6–8 hours instead of simmering.
Serving ideas
Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoon of thick cream.
Storage
Keeps in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week. Most versions freeze well for 2 months.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make Gigantes Plaki ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves after a few hours, so make it earlier in the day and reheat gently before serving.
What can I substitute for butter beans?
Any ingredient with a similar texture and cooking time works; see the variations below for ideas. Keep quantities the same and adjust seasoning at the end.
Is this Gigantes Plaki recipe medium to make?
It is rated medium: 10 ingredients and 2 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.
Recipe data via TheMealDB — source
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