Slow-Simmered Lemony Gigantes Beans in Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-31 · Updated 2026-05-31

Large butter beans cooked slowly in a rich tomato sauce with fresh lemon and herbs, a traditional Greek vegetarian delight. This Greek-inspired vegetarian recipe (mediterranean), ready in about 135 minutes, blends dried gigantes beans, olive oil, onion into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 1 medium, diced carrot
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz (400 g) canned crushed tomatoes
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sugar

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried gigantes beans and soak in cold water overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.
2. Step 2: In a large pot, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and 1 diced carrot, sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add the soaked beans, 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
5. Step 5: Cover the pot and simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and sauce thickens.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving warm.