The simplest of foods can often be the yummiest, and this easy but classic Greek dish of gigantes, or giant beans, is a perfect example of that. Creamy lima beans are drowned in a tangy, herb-seasoned tomato sauce and the result is nothing short of spectacular – and extraordinarily delicious. The gigantes beans, also called butter beans for a good reason, become soft and creamy in the oven and the tomato sauce mellows into a rich, alluring sweetness. And all this using only pantry ingredients. I shared this recipe with you a few years back and it’s since garnered more than 130 five-star reviews from readers. I am updating the old post with new photos of the final dish and more step-by-step instructions and photos to clarify the process of making these gigantes. If you are still sitting on the fence, I hope this will make you go for it!

Why you will love this recipe

There’s so much flavor packed in this simple recipe. Lima beans (also called butter beans) are among my favorites to cook with because they cook so quickly! I adore them in recipes like this lima bean curry and this creamy butter beans recipe. In this gigantes recipe the creamy beans with the tangy-sweet tomatoes are amazing! You need just eight ingredients. There are a few additional ingredients that are completely optional. And everything used in this recipe comes from the pantry. It’s a simple dish. Putting this dish together is so easy and it is suited even to beginner cooks, so long as you follow instructions. It’s a versatile dish. You can serve these Greek beans as an appetizer or a side. Or you can make a meal of it by serving them with a crusty slice of bread drizzled with olive oil. It’s a stunning dish. I love the deep red of this dish and it never fails to wow. It’s suited to all diets. Vegan, soy-free, nut-free, gluten-free–we’ve got you covered!

Storage instructions

Refrigerate: Store the baked beans in the fridge for up to four days. Freeze: Place the gigantes in a freezer safe container or airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Reheat: Thaw, if frozen. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

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