Substitute other beans for gigantes?

[axariotisxy]

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...

 

[k_tsoukalas]

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.