main dishes greek

Gigantes Plaki Recipe (Greek Baked Giant Beans)

Gigantes plaki recipe for Greek giant beans baked in tomato sauce with olive oil, onion, garlic, parsley, and oregano.

Vegetarian Vegan Gluten-Free Dairy-Free
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Prep 20 min
Cook 1h 30m
Total 1h 50m
Servings 6
Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F.

  2. Heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot or deep baking dish over medium heat. Add onion and cook 8-10 minutes until softened and lightly golden.

  3. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.

  4. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, half the parsley, oregano, sugar, salt, pepper, and water. Stir to combine.

  5. Gently fold in beans, being careful not to break them.

    Tip: Handle giant beans gently—they're tender and break easily.

  6. Drizzle remaining 2 tbsp olive oil over the top.

  7. Cover and bake 45 minutes.

  8. Uncover and bake another 30-45 minutes until sauce is thick and top is lightly browned.

  9. Let rest 10 minutes. Garnish with remaining parsley and serve warm or at room temperature with crusty bread.

Storage & Meal Prep

Gigantes plaki keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and actually improves overnight as the beans absorb more sauce. Reheat gently in the oven at 160°C / 320°F for 15 minutes, or on the stovetop with a splash of water. Freezes well for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Variations

  • Gigantes Plaki with Roasted Peppers: Add 2 roasted red peppers, sliced, along with the tomatoes for a sweeter, smokier sauce.
  • Spicy Gigantes: Add 1 tsp Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicier, more concentrated version.
  • Gigantes with Spinach: Stir in 2 cups fresh spinach during the last 10 minutes of baking for extra greens.

FAQ

What is gigantes plaki?

Gigantes plaki is a traditional Greek dish of giant white beans baked in tomato sauce with olive oil and herbs. The name points to giant beans cooked in the oven, and the dish is common in Greek tavernas and home kitchens.

How do you cook gigantes plaki?

The beans are first folded into a tomato sauce with olive oil, onion, garlic, and herbs, then baked low and slow (about 90 minutes) until the sauce thickens and the top caramelizes slightly. The long baking is what makes this dish special.

Where can I buy gigantes beans?

Giant white beans (gigantes) are available at Greek or Mediterranean grocery stores, online specialty shops, and some well-stocked supermarkets. Large butter beans or corona beans are good substitutes if you can't find true gigantes.

Can I use canned beans for gigantes plaki?

Yes, canned giant white beans or butter beans work well and save time. Drain and rinse them, then fold gently into the sauce. The baking time remains the same because it develops the sauce rather than cooking the beans from dry.

Is gigantes plaki vegan?

Yes, traditional gigantes plaki is naturally vegan. It uses olive oil instead of butter, and the richness comes from the slow-baked tomato sauce and the beans themselves.

Interactive Nutrition Map

6 Servings

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Legumes
Giant White Beans (Gigantes)
360 g
Vegetables
Red Onion
143 g
Garlic
12 g
Tomato (Red, Ripe)
794 g
Tomato Paste
32 g
Oils & Fats
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
81 g
Herbs & Spices
Fresh Parsley
32 g
Dried Oregano
1 g
Salt
6 g
Black Pepper
1 g
Sweeteners
White Sugar
4.2 g
Liquids
Water
119 g

Per Serving

314kcalCalories
12gProtein
36gCarbs
14gFat
10gFiber
Sodium
38mg2% DV
Potassium
896mg19% DV
Calcium
76mg6% DV
Iron
3.2mg18% DV
Magnesium
74mg18% DV
Vitamin C
22.3mg25% DV
Vitamin A
59µg7% DV
Vitamin K
24µg20% DV
Folate
116µg29% DV
Giant White Beans (Gigantes)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Red Onion
Garlic
Tomato (Red, Ripe)
Tomato Paste
Fresh Parsley
Dried Oregano
White Sugar
Salt
Black Pepper
Water
* Nutrition is an estimate; actual values vary by ingredient brands and cooking methods. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

The Story Behind This Dish

Gigantes plaki is a Greek baked bean dish where the sauce does the real work. The beans are already tender when they go into the oven; the long bake thickens the tomato, rounds out the onion and garlic, and lets the olive oil settle into the sauce.

I treat it as a main dish, not a side. It only needs bread, a sharp salad, or a little feta if you are not keeping the meal vegan.

What Is Gigantes Plaki?

Gigantes plaki means giant beans baked in the oven. It sits in the Greek ladera family: vegetables or legumes cooked with enough olive oil to make the sauce glossy and full, not thin.

Serve it warm or at room temperature. If you use canned beans, handle them gently and focus on getting the sauce right.

Tips for good Gigantes Plaki

  • Handle the beans gently. Giant beans are tender and break easily. Fold, don’t stir.
  • Do not skip the uncovered baking. The last 30-45 minutes without a lid creates the thick sauce and lightly browned top.
  • Let it rest. Like lasagna, gigantes plaki tastes better after sitting for 10 minutes. The sauce thickens as it cools slightly.
  • Serve at room temperature or warm. Greeks often serve this dish at room temperature, which brings out the flavors well.

Related: Greek lentil soup | Fasolakia | Tomato-braised white beans