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Substitute other beans for gigantes?

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axariotisxy

Active member
I love making gigantes plaki, especially during Lent, but I always have a hard time finding gigantes beans in my area. I’ve checked Mediterranean markets, but they’re often out of stock, and regular grocery stores don’t seem to carry them.

Has anyone found a good substitute that works well in this dish? I know gigantes are a type of butter bean (lima bean), but I’m wondering if other beans, like cannellini or great northern beans, would give a similar texture. I want to keep that creamy inside with a slightly firm skin that holds up well to baking.

If you’ve had to swap out the beans, what worked best for you? Would love any advice or recommendations so I can keep making this dish without having to hunt down gigantes every time. What about butter beans? I've seen those in the store...
 
Butter beans are actually one of the best substitutes for gigantes! They have a similar creamy interior and hold up well during baking, making them a great choice for gigantes plaki. If you can find large butter beans, they’ll be the closest match.

Cannellini beans and great northern beans can work in a pinch, but they’re smaller and tend to break down more easily. You might lose some of that satisfying, meaty texture that gigantes provide.
 
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