Greek Butter Beans Recipe - Gigantes Plaki (Vegan) - Real Greek Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are gigantes and butter beans the same? ›

Gigante beans are essentially large lima beans (also known as butter beans), but they are a little different from the varieties you'd find on the shelves in the US. And that's because they are grown in Greece, in the northwest of the country in regions like Prespes.

The Italians call them corona beans; the Greeks call them gigante beans. You'll also sometimes find them labeled as butter beans. They all, in fact, stem from the good ol' lima bean.

Gigantes are not only filling but also super healthy: the beans are low in fat content and an excellent source of fiber (if you're looking to lower your cholesterol, these are for you!).

The best quality broad beans or gigantes—literally, giants in Greek—are from the northern city of Florina and its environs.

Gigantes are large white beans and can be substituted with large white lima beans if you can't find them. They literally translate to “giants”. This version of Gigantes Plaki is one that I've made many times. Generally they are baked but I really like quickly stewing them in an onion, tomato and dill sauce.

Lima Beans. While they're all the same bean botanically, butter beans have different names depending on the region. In the South and in the United Kingdom, they're typically referred to as butter beans. Elsewhere in the U.S., they're known as lima beans (named for Lima, Peru, the bean's point of origin).

Gigantes plaki is a classic Greek dish of tender baked beans, swimming in a chunky tomato sauce with lots of good extra virgin olive oil. The term plaki, pronounced Plah-KEE, refers to a Greek cooking method where the food is baked or roasted with plenty of tomatoes, veggies, and extra virgin olive oil.

Butter beans are rich in vitamins and minerals, which are important for overall health. A source of potassium, magnesium, folate, iron, and zinc, they also contain calcium and protein. Both plant-based foodies and meat-lovers can really benefit from adding butter beans to their diet.

Is There a Difference Between Butter Beans and Lima Beans? Other than what they're called and sometimes their color, butter beans and lima beans are exactly the same. Their species is called Phaseolus lunatus and the difference in their name is only a matter of geography.

The French bean tops our list of the healthiest beans. But also high on the list are yellow beans, great northern beans, and navy beans. Royal red kidney beans had the best weight loss combination of being low in calories and high in fiber - great for leaving you satisfied with less.

Which bean is the creamiest? ›

Navy (Pea) Beans

Because they get creamy when cooked, they're perfect for mashing against the side of the pot, pureeing in dips, and thickening soups, stews, ragouts, and more.

In the United States, Gigantes Beans are most commonly Large Lima Beans or Giant Butter Beans (the same thing). Large Lima Beans (aka Butter Beans) are naturally high in fiber, trace minerals, and protein!

They are often chosen as the star of many meals due to their firm skin and tender flesh. Compared to butter beans, cannellini beans have a nuttier flavor and sturdier makeup. Nutritionally, both butter and cannellini beans are high in protein and fiber and have very similar nutritional profiles.

Butter Beans are simply Lima Beans. Broad Beans are simply Fava Beans.

A lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), also commonly known as butter bean, sieva bean, double bean or Madagascar bean, is a legume grown for its edible seeds or beans.

The only noticeable difference is that butter beans contain a small amount of fat while cannellini beans have none. Now that you know the main differences between these two popular beans, how do choose the right variety for your next main course?

Cannellini beans are a great substitute for butter beans due to their similar size and texture. They have a mild, nutty flavor that can complement a wide range of dishes, making them a versatile option for soups, stews, and salads.

butter bean {noun}

poroto de manteca {m} [SAm.]