Gigantes (2024)

FAQs

Are gigante beans the same as butter beans? ›

Gigante beans are essentially large lima beans (also known as butter beans), but they are a little different from the varieties you'd find on the shelves in the US. And that's because they are grown in Greece, in the northwest of the country in regions like Prespes.

I found my Gigante beans online, but many retailers offer them, although they may be called Greek Giant Beans, Borad Beans, or Greek Fava Beans.

Gigantes are not only filling but also super healthy: the beans are low in fat content and an excellent source of fiber (if you're looking to lower your cholesterol, these are for you!).

Gigantes are large white beans and can be substituted with large white lima beans if you can't find them. They literally translate to “giants”. This version of Gigantes Plaki is one that I've made many times. Generally they are baked but I really like quickly stewing them in an onion, tomato and dill sauce.

The Italians call them corona beans; the Greeks call them gigante beans. You'll also sometimes find them labeled as butter beans. They all, in fact, stem from the good ol' lima bean.

Lima Beans. While they're all the same bean botanically, butter beans have different names depending on the region. In the South and in the United Kingdom, they're typically referred to as butter beans. Elsewhere in the U.S., they're known as lima beans (named for Lima, Peru, the bean's point of origin).

Allergies. Raw fava beans can produce an allergic reaction in some people, including discomfort, and occasionally, coma. Cooking may prevent allergic reactions.

Cranberry beans are known for their creamy texture with a flavor similar to chestnuts. The red specks disappear when these beans are cooked. Cranberry beans are a favorite in northern Italy and Spain. Great Northern Beans are medium-size, oval-shaped beans with thin white skin.

Lima AKA Butter beans are probably the biggest bean you will find at the grocery store.

What are the best beans for weight loss? ›

Many do not consider beans healthy when following a low carb diet as it is high in carbohydrates. However, along with carbs, beans also contain fiber (mostly soluble), which can help lower cholesterol level. Black beans, kidney beans, navy beans are the ones considered best for weight loss plan.

Giant beans are really easy to grow and have the potental to reach a yard long, hence their nickname "yard-long beans." These giant beans originated in China and can often be found for sale in the produce department of Asian Supermarkets.

Gigante Beans (you may also know them as Royal Corona beans if you are familiar with Rancho Gordo beans) are extra-large white runner beans, common in Greek cuisine. They have a sweet, mild taste, meaty texture, and hold their shape well through cooking.

You can substitute bortlotti or black beans for pinto beans in most recipes. You can also use cannellini beans and chickpeas in a pinch.

A lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), also commonly known as butter bean, sieva bean, double bean or Madagascar bean, is a legume grown for its edible seeds or beans.

Cannellini beans are a great substitute for butter beans due to their similar size and texture. They have a mild, nutty flavor that can complement a wide range of dishes, making them a versatile option for soups, stews, and salads.

Why are butter beans so popular? Butter beans, also called lima beans, are part of the white bean family, alongside cannellini beans, great northern beans, and navy beans. They all have similar properties and can be used interchangeably in recipes.

Kidney beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans and many others are actually all varieties of the same species called Phaseolus vulgaris, also known as the common bean. On the other hand, the visually similar butter beans, haricot beans and gigantes beans are all from different species.