Olive Oil Braised Gigantes Beans with Fresh Dill

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Giant butter beans slowly braised in fragrant olive oil and tomato sauce with fresh dill, capturing the essence of classic Greek ladera dishes. This greek-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 130 minutes pairs dried gigantes beans, extra virgin olive oil, medium onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 Greek cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried gigantes beans and soak them overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Step 2: In a large pot, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and 1 diced carrot, sautéing for 6-8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup crushed tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Add the soaked beans, 3 cups water or vegetable broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until beans are tender.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh chopped dill during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  7. Step 7: Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm or at room temperature with crusty bread for a hearty vegetarian meal.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Olive Oil Braised Gigantes Beans with Fresh Dill take to make?

Total time is about 130 minutes (10 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Olive Oil Braised Gigantes Beans with Fresh Dill?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried gigantes beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Olive Oil Braised Gigantes Beans with Fresh Dill?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Olive Oil Braised Gigantes Beans with Fresh Dill for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Olive Oil Braised Gigantes Beans with Fresh Dill vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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