Greek Baked Beans Recipe {Easy Gigantes Plaki }

Name: Greek Baked Beans (Gigantes Plaki)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 2 small onions (or 1 medium) (finely chopped); 3 garlic cloves (finely chopped); 15 ounces tomato sauce; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 28 ounces large butter beans (2 (14 oz) cans, drained and rinsed); 1¼ cups kalamata olives (pitted); ⅓ cup feta (crumbled); 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley (chopped)

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These Greek Baked Beans are made with tender butter beans baked in a rich tomato sauce with garlic, oregano, Kalamata olives, and feta. I used canned beans to make this easy version of gigantes plaki, so you don’t need to soak or boil them.

baked beans Greek style in a dish with spoon in the dish.

I love recipes like this because they work in so many different ways. I can serve the beans as a vegetarian meal with warm bread, add them to a Mediterranean-style spread, or use them as a side with chicken or fish. The leftovers are also really good the next day once the beans have had more time to soak up the sauce.

Want to make it a full meal? Pair these Greek Baked Beans with my Greek Chicken Bake or Grilled Chicken Gyro Sandwiches.

What Are Greek Baked Beans?

Traditional Greek baked beans are known as gigantes plaki. They are made with large white gigante beans that are cooked in a tomato sauce with olive oil, onions, herbs, and vegetables.

My recipe is an easy variation made with canned butter beans, which are much easier to find in regular grocery stores. I also add Kalamata olives and feta for an extra salty, tangy flavor. Using canned beans lets you skip overnight soaking and long cooking times while still getting tender beans and a rich tomato sauce.

I like Eden Organic Butter Beans from Whole Foods, or you can use any other brand like Delallo or Bush’s.

Key Ingredients

Below are the ingredients you will need to make this baked beans dish. You can find the full measurements in the recipe card below.

Ingredients for Greek baked beans laid out.

Butter beans: Canned butter beans make this version quick and easy. Drain and rinse them well before adding them to the sauce. Large lima, corona, or gigante beans may also be used if they are already cooked.
Tomato Sauce: Creates a rich tomato base around the beans.
Onion and garlic: These create the savory base of the sauce. Let the onion soften before adding the tomatoes and seasonings.
Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, and smoked paprika add warmth and depth to the sauce. The cinnamon should be noticeable but not sweet.
Kalamata olives: The olives add a salty bite. Use pitted olives and taste the sauce before adding more salt.
Feta cheese: Feta becomes lightly golden and soft as it bakes. I prefer to buy a block and crumble it myself.
Fresh parsley: Add after baking for a fresh finish and a pop of color.

How to Make Greek Baked Beans

Prepare the oven and pan. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-low heat.

Cook the aromatics: Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook briefly, just until fragrant. Watch the garlic closely so it does not burn.

Make the tomato sauce: Add the tomato sauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, and smoked paprika. Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Add the beans and olives: Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the drained butter beans and Kalamata olives.

Top with feta: If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer everything to a baking dish. Sprinkle the crumbled feta over the top.

Bake: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the feta is lightly golden.

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Let the beans rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so the sauce can settle.

Add beans and olives: Transfer the sauce into a baking dish. Stir in the butter beans and pitted olives, gently mixing to combine.

Add feta: Top with crumbled feta before baking.

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Garnish Your Greek Baked Beans with chopped parsley and enjoy!

baked beans in a dish soaked in tomato sauce with spoon in the dish.

My Recipe Tips

Drain and rinse the canned beans well so the sauce does not taste overly salty.
Taste the sauce before adding salt. Both the olives and feta add plenty of saltiness.
Stir the beans gently so they do not break apart.
Use an oven-safe skillet to prepare and bake everything in one pan.
If the sauce looks very thick before baking, stir in a small splash of water.
If the finished beans look watery, let them rest for 10 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
For more browning, broil the beans for 1 to 2 minutes at the end. Watch them closely.

What to Serve With Greek Baked Beans

Serve these beans with warm crusty bread, pita, or garlic naan for scooping up the tomato sauce. They also pair well with a Greek salad, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, salmon, lamb, or eggs.

For a vegetarian meal, serve them with bread and a simple cucumber and tomato salad. You can also add them to a Mediterranean-style spread with hummus, olives, fresh vegetables, and pita.

oval dish with baked beans greek style, topped with crumbled feta cheese and chopped parsley.

Common Questions

Can I use cannellini beans?

You can, but the beans will be smaller and slightly less creamy. Butter beans, large lima beans, corona beans, or cooked gigante beans are closer in size and texture to the traditional variety.

Can I use dried beans?

Yes, but you need to soak and fully cook them before you begin this recipe. Do not add uncooked dried beans directly to the tomato sauce because they will not become tender during the short baking time.

Are Greek baked beans the same as gigantes plaki?

This recipe is an easy variation of gigantes plaki. Traditional gigantes plaki uses dried Greek gigante beans that are soaked, cooked, and then baked in tomato sauce. This version uses canned butter beans and includes olives and feta.

Are Greek baked beans served hot or cold?

You can serve them hot, warm, or at room temperature. I like them warm after they have rested for a few minutes because the sauce thickens and the flavors become more noticeable.

Can I prepare them ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the beans and sauce in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to one day. Add the feta before baking. The cold dish may need a few extra minutes in the oven.

Why are my baked beans dry?

The sauce may have reduced too much before baking, or the beans may have absorbed more liquid than expected. Stir in a splash of water or tomato sauce before serving.

Storage and Reheating

Let the baked beans cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the beans in a covered baking dish at 350°F. Add a small splash of water if the sauce has become too thick.

You can also freeze the beans for up to 3 months. For the best texture, freeze them without feta, then add fresh feta after reheating. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming.

dish with Greek baked beans with a spoon dipped in.

More Greek Recipes

Thanks so much for being here and cooking along with me. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment and a ⭐️ rating below.