YiaYia’s Cozy Greek Gigantes

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traditional greek gigantes in tomato sauce

there are so many dishes i love in greek cuisine, but gigantes will forever have my heart.

my mom and yiayia made this for me growing up, and it’s the dish i look forward to most when i’m in greece.

gigantes are large white beans baked in a rich, tomato-forward sauce with herbs and olive oil.

it’s rustic, comforting, and one of the best examples of how greek food can be both humble and deeply flavorful.

taste + texture

the beans become tender and creamy on the inside while holding their shape beautifully.

the sauce is thick, rich, and very tomato-y thanks to both diced tomatoes and tomato paste.

you get sweetness from the carrots and a subtle depth from bay leaves and herbs.

the olive oil ties it all together, making the sauce luscious and perfect for dipping bread.

greek roots

gigantes (literally “giants” in greek) are a staple of the lenten table and can be found in every greek household.

they’re traditionally served as part of a mezze spread or as a main dish with bread and feta.

it’s a dish rooted in simplicity, letting beans, tomatoes, and olive oil shine.

for me, it’s tied to childhood memories — sitting at the table while my yiayia pulled a bubbling pan from the oven, the whole house smelling like herbs and tomato sauce.

helpful notes on beans

the trickiest part of gigantes is getting the beans soft enough:

• soaking: i recommend soaking the beans at least 18 hours. this makes them cook more evenly and helps them soften better.
• simmering: don’t skip this step. even after soaking, beans need a gentle simmer for at least 70 minutes before baking. depending on age/brand, some beans can take up to 90 minutes. they should be tender and creamy when pressed between your fingers.
• freshness matters: older beans can be stubborn and stay tough. if your beans don’t soften well, it’s not you — it’s the beans. try to source fresher ones if possible.
• don’t salt too soon: wait until they’re tender before seasoning heavily, otherwise skins can toughen.

tips + tricks

• bake in an oven-safe pot (like a caraway or dutch oven) so you can make the sauce and bake all in one. less cleanup, and the beans stay saucy.
• drizzle with extra olive oil before baking — it helps the top caramelize.
• fresh parsley and dill at the end brighten the entire dish.
• for a subtle kick, a pinch of chili flakes works beautifully with the sweet tomato sauce.

batch size + scaling

this recipe makes a big batch of gigantes — perfect for family meals, entertaining, or freezing for later.

with 4 cups of dried beans, you’ll end up with about 10 hearty servings.

if you want to make a smaller batch, you can simply cut the recipe in half and use 2 cups of dried beans, 1 can of diced tomatoes, and half the amounts of the other ingredients.

baking time stays roughly the same, though you may be able to shorten the uncovered portion by 5–10 minutes since the sauce will reduce more quickly in a smaller batch.

serving ideas

• serve warm or room temperature with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
• pair with feta, olives, and a fresh salad for a full mezze-style meal.
• drizzle with extra virgin olive oil before serving for even more richness.

where to find gigantes beans

traditional gigantes beans can sometimes be hard to find outside of greek or mediterranean specialty stores, but there are great options.

i found mine at whole foods, the brand simpli, which sells authentic greek gigantes.

you can also check local mediterranean markets, specialty food shops, or order them online.

if you can’t find true gigantes, large dried lima beans are the closest substitute and work beautifully in this recipe.

storage

• store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container up to 5 days.
• gigantes actually taste even better the next day once the flavors meld.
• they also freeze beautifully — cool completely, then freeze up to 3 months. reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.

if you like YiaYia’s Cozy Greek Gigantes, you’ll also love these other recipes of mine!
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Delicious and Nutrient-Rich: Antioxidant-Packed Hummus

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