Slow-Simmered Gigantes Beans with Tomato and Fresh Dill

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-15 · Updated 2026-05-15

Traditional Greek-style giant beans stewed slowly in a savory tomato sauce brightened with fresh dill for a comforting vegetarian dish. This Greek-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs dried gigantes beans, extra virgin olive oil, yellow 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.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried gigantes beans
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups water
• 3 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp sugar

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried gigantes beans and soak them overnight in cold water to soften.
2. Step 2: Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot with 4 cups fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour, skimming foam as needed.
3. Step 3: While beans simmer, heat 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion, 1 diced medium carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the vegetables and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
5. Step 5: Stir in 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes to thicken.
6. Step 6: Add the tomato sauce to the simmering beans, stir gently, and continue to cook uncovered for another 45 minutes until beans are tender and sauce thickens.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat, stir in 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, and let cool slightly before serving.