Giant Greek Beans (Gigantes Beans) with swiss chard (Instant Pot) – an easy hands free dinner recipe where traditional ingredients meet modern cooking methods. Featuring Greek Gigantes (butter or lima) Beans, swiss chard and a handful of Mediterranean herbs, this recipe is easy and delicious. Vegetarian.
Today we are making a simple beans stew with swiss chard and other vegetables, prepared in a pressure cooker. One easy, Mediterranean inspired Gigantes beans stew with hearty vegetables that can easily prepared at home.
IF YOU LIKE BEANS check out my recipe for Italian Farro Tuna Salad with Beans, Olives and Lemon or this lovely Italian Parmesan Polenta with Cranberry Beans.
Behind the Bites
Giant beans, also known as Gigantes beans (from the Greek word “Gigantes” meaning “giants”), are a variety of large white beans that are particularly popular in the Mediterranean region, especially in Greece. These beans are typically butter beans or lima beans but are significantly larger than most common beans. They have a creamy texture and a slightly sweet, mild flavor.
Greek Gigantes beans are very similar to the taste and texture of Bulgarian Smilyan Beans as well. Smilyan white beans, a specific variety of large beans that are cultivated in the Smilyan region of the Rhodope Mountains in southern Bulgaria. These beans are well-known for their exceptional quality, size, and unique flavor which makes them a perfect substitute to Greek Beans when I do not have them on hand.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Giant Greek white beans, soaked in water overnight – can be lima beans
- Stick leeks, minced
- Red bell pepper, chopped
- Carrot, minced
- Swiss chard leaves, chopped
- Butter – or olive oil for full Mediterranean flavor
- Water (for both stew and soaking beans in)
- Seasoning – sweet paprika, fresh spearmint, oregano, sea salt and white pepper to taste
TIP: For full Mediterranean flavor use olive oil instead of butter. I usually interchange both depending on what I have on hand.
How to cook Gigantes Beans Stew in Instant Pot?
1st: Soak the beans in water overnight, drain and wash well. Use hot water to speed up the process by a few hours if needed.
2nd: Turn on SAUTE function on the Instant pot and sauté all vegetables for a few minutes. Then, add beans, seasoning and pressure cook. Adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Want more Greek-inspired meals?
Let me suggest a few favorites from my kitchen:
Giant Beans and Swiss Chard Stew (Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 300 g giant beans, soaked in water overnight
- 1 stick leeks, minced
- 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, minced
- 2 cups swiss chard leaves, chopped
- 4 tbsp. butter
- water (for both stew and soaking beans in)
Seasoning
- 1 tsp. paprika, sweet
- 1 tbsp. fresh spearmint, minced
- 1 tsp. oregano, dried
- sea salt and white pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak dried giant beans overnight in cold water (between 8 and 12 hours). Water should be 8 fingers above beans (or more) as they absorb water when soaked and increase in volume. Rinse beans thoroughly with cold water before cooking.
- Then, chop pepper, carrot, swiss chard and leeks. Place into Instant Pot inner pot. Add butter and choose SAUTEE on high for a few minutes (approx. 4-5 minutes). Place a lid on the inner pot and stir frequently to burns.
- Switch off sauté function and add giant beans. Add water (I add to the 2nd measuring line of IP). Choose PRESSURE COOK (custom) on high for 30 minutes. Seal the lid (seal/vent knob).
- Let IP do it's magic and release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Then, switch the knob to vent and let remaining steam escape.
- Open the IP lid and add all seasoning ingredients. Adjust to taste. Stir well to combine and let rest for 5 minutes in the IP pot. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Super easy and delicious. Recommend
What size Insta pot do you have? You say only fill the water to the second line, but I think it might matter which size Insta pot you’re using?
Hello Circle, I have Instant Pot pro (also linked within the recipe notes), it’s the 8 QT one.