Greek Butter Beans Casserole (Gigantes Plaki)

You cannot get simpler than this traditional Greek Butter Beans Casserole featuring creamy butter beans, sauteed onions and garlic, and baked in a light tomato and olive oil sauce. Simple, yet packed with nutrients and flavour!

You don’t need to do too much to butter beans to showcase their flavour. Butter beans have a creamy texture that only needs a few additional ingredients to turn it into a flavourful meal. This recipe calls for butter beans, onions, garlic, olive oil, tomato paste and fresh parsley, seasoned with salt, pepper, and a touch of sugar. That’s it! For my father, growing up in a small village in Greece, this is how he remembers meal-times. Legumes were on the dinner menu at least three times a week. With so many options available these days, we tend to stray away from the humble legumes. However, the Mediterranean diet recommends including legumes, such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas, several times per week. The specific recommended frequency can vary depending on individual preferences and dietary guidelines, but it’s commonly suggested to include legumes in meals at least 3-4 times per week for optimal health benefits.

What are Gigantes Plaki?

“Gigantes” is the Greek word for “giants” and refers to large butter beans or lima beans frequently used in Mediterranean cuisine. “Plaki” is a Greek term used to describe a method of cooking where ingredients, often vegetables or legumes, are baked in a tomato-based sauce until tender and aromatic. Some classic examples of Greek recipes prepared in the plaki style include baked fish in tomato sauce, oven-roasted vegetables, and stuffed peppers filled with rice and herbs, all simmered in a tomato-based sauce until perfectly cooked.

Are butter beans the same as lima beans?

There are two main types of lima beans: the small, green lima beans, and the larger, creamy-white lima beans, also known as butter beans. If you are referring to the large white lima beans, then yes, lima beans are the same as butter beans. However, if you are referring to the small, green lima beans that are harvested before maturity, then no, they are not butter beans. So, while all butter beans are technically a type of lima bean, not all lima beans are referred to as butter beans, especially when considering the smaller, green varieties.

Greek Butter Beans Casserole Ingredients

• Lima beans / butter beans: The beans provide a creamy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavour to the casserole. Look for the large white lima beans (also known as butter beans), not the small green lima bean variety (these are not butter beans). I usually find the large, white, dried lima beans at my local fruit shop or delicatessen.
• Onions: My mum’s and aunt’s version of this recipe has lots of onions which adds a sweet, caramelised flavour to the dish.
• Garlic: When crushed and sautéed with onions, garlic releases its natural flavours, enhancing the overall flavour of the casserole.
• Tomato paste: The tomato paste lends a rich and tangy flavour to the casserole, adding a hint of acidity and sweetness to balance the dish.
• Olive oil: A key ingredient in this casserole. It is used generously to sauté the onions and garlic. As the dish bakes, the olive oil blends with the tomato-based sauce, creating a rich sauce that coats the beans perfectly.
• Sugar (optional): The sugar, if added, enhances the natural sweetness of this casserole.

Health benefits of Greek Butter Beans Casserole

Lima beans / butter beans: These beans are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. They promote heart health, aid in digestion, and support weight management. Additionally, they are a good source of folate, iron and potassium, essential nutrients for overall health and well-being. 

Onions: Onions are rich in antioxidants and compounds known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Furthermore, onions contain prebiotic fibres that promote gut health by supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. Additionally, they are a good source of vitamin C, strengthening immunity and overall health.

How to make Greek Butter Beans Casserole

7. Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool slightly. As it cools, the sauce will thicken.

8. Serve with crumbled feta cheese and sourdough bread, if desired.

Tips for making Greek Butter Beans Casserole (Gigantes Plaki)

Do I soak the beans at room temperature or in the refrigerator?

Beans can soften during soaking regardless of whether they’re soaked at room temperature or in the fridge. However, soaking beans in the fridge may slow down the softening process slightly due to the cooler temperature.

Here’s a general guide for softening beans:

1. Room Temperature Soaking:

• Soak beans in a bowl or pot filled with enough water to cover them by at least 5cm / 2 inches.
• Allow the beans to soak at room temperature for approximately 8-12 hours.
• After soaking, drain and rinse the beans before cooking.

2. Refrigerator Soaking:

• Follow the same steps as for room temperature soaking but place the bowl or pot of beans in the refrigerator.
• Extend the soaking time to about 12-24 hours due to the cooler temperature (the longer you leave them to soak, the quicker they will cook on the stove top).
• Drain and rinse the beans before cooking.

Do I need to soak the butter beans before cooking?

I always soak my beans before cooking for three reasons: 1) it reduces cooking time, 2) the beans tend to cook more evenly, and 3) soaking the beans helps to break down some of the complex sugars that make beans hard for some people to digest. However, if you forgot to soak your beans overnight, and you still want to cook beans for dinner, you can soak your beans for 30 minutes and then discard all the water. Then, place the beans in a pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer with the lid ajar for approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender. You will need to occasionally top up with water.

Do I need to skim the foam whilst the beans are simmering?

As we are discarding all the water after simmering the lima beans, skimming off the foam isn’t necessary. The foam primarily consists of impurities and proteins released from the beans during cooking. Removing it can result in a clearer broth or cooking liquid, but if you’re going to discard the liquid anyway, it won’t affect the flavour or outcome of your dish. However, if you prefer to skim it off, feel free to do so.

Can I substitute dried lima beans for canned butter beans?

While dried beans offer a richer flavour, there are occasions when a quick and easy recipe is preferred. By substituting canned butter beans in this recipe, you can have dinner on the table in just under an hour and with only 15 minutes of preparation time required. When using dried lima beans, 500 grams / 17.64 oz yields roughly 5-7 cups of cooked beans. On the other hand, one can of butter beans yields approximately 1 1/3 cups of cooked beans. Therefore, you will need approximately 4 x 400-gram (14-ounce) cans of butter beans.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can partially prepare Greek Butter Beans Casserole ahead of time to save time on the day of serving. Here are some steps you can take:

• Soak the Beans Only: Soak the butter beans overnight or for 8-12 hours at room temperature or 12-24 hours in the refrigerator. This will soften them and reduce the cooking time when you’re ready to cook. Drain and rinse the soaked beans and store them in an airtight container for 2-3 days before cooking.
• Soak and Cook the Beans: Soak the butter beans overnight or in the refrigerator. After soaking, cook the beans until they are tender. Allow them to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This way, you’ll have cooked beans ready to use in the recipe.
• Assemble the Dish but Don’t Bake: Soak and cook the beans as instructed in the recipe. Prepare the tomato and onion sauce. Then, assemble the casserole by combining the cooked beans with the tomato sauce in an ovenproof dish. Cover the dish and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. This allows you to save time on the day of serving by having the dish ready to bake straight from the fridge. However, if you’re using a ceramic or glass baking dish, ensure it cools down sufficiently before placing it in the oven to prevent cracking. One way to do this is by preheating the dish along with the oven. Alternatively, consider using a metal baking dish, which is less prone to cracking from temperature changes.

Converting whole leaf herbs to chopped herbs

A helpful guideline for converting whole leaf herbs into chopped measurements is to estimate that ¼ cup of fresh leafy herbs will typically yield approximately 1 ½ tablespoons of finely chopped herbs.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can either microwave it until heated through or place it in a preheated oven at a moderate temperature until warm. Alternatively, you can reheat it on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until thoroughly heated. If the bean casserole appears dry when reheating, you can add a splash of water to prevent it from sticking to the pan and to help rehydrate the beans and sauce.