What Greek dish consists of baked giant beans in tomato sauce?

The story behind the answer

What Greek dish consists of baked giant beans in tomato sauce? The answer is Gigandes plaki. This Greek dish uses large dried beans—traditionally fasolia gigantes, a giant runner-bean variety—baked in a tomato-based sauce with olive oil, onions, carrots, garlic, parsley, and other herbs. The beans are usually soaked and boiled until tender before finishing in the oven, where the sauce thickens and the top develops a browned, savory crust.

The word plaki describes a Greek method of baking or roasting food in a pan with olive oil, tomatoes, vegetables, and herbs. The same approach appears in several vegetable and seafood dishes. Gigandes plaki can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, making it suitable both as a main course and as part of a meze spread.

Because the traditional bean-and-vegetable version contains no meat or dairy, it is commonly associated with Greek Orthodox fasting. Feta, crusty bread, or olives may accompany it, although additions vary by household and region. “Gigantes plaki” and “gigandes plaki” are both used transliterations.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

Add question to a list

Choose a list to keep this question in: