What is Khorovats?

Khorovats (Խորոված) is the traditional Armenian grilled meat, similar to shish kebab or barbecue. It’s a cornerstone of Armenian cuisine and culture, often enjoyed at family gatherings, celebrations, and outdoor feasts. The word “khorovats” literally means “grilled” or “roasted.”

Key features:

• Typically made with marinated chunks of pork, lamb, or beef.

• Meat is skewered and grilled over open coals or a grill.

• The marinade is simple but flavorful, often involving onion, garlic, herbs, and sometimes wine or vinegar.

• Served with fresh herbs, flatbreads (like lavash), grilled vegetables, and sometimes rice or bulgur.

Khorovats Recipe for Two

 Times

• Prep & marinate: 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours if possible)

• Grilling: 10–15 minutes

• Total time: ~45 minutes (or longer if marinating longer)

 Ingredients

Equipment Needed

• Skewers (metal or soaked wooden skewers)

• Grill or grill pan (charcoal or gas)

• Mixing bowl

• Tongs

Instructions

1. Prepare the marinade:

• In a bowl, mix the grated onion, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice (or vinegar), paprika, salt, and pepper.

• Add the meat cubes and toss to coat well.

• Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, ideally a few hours.

2. Skewer the meat:

• Thread the marinated meat onto skewers, packing the cubes close but not too tight.

3. Grill:

• Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

• Grill the skewers, turning occasionally, for about 10–15 minutes or until cooked through and nicely charred on the outside.

4. Serve:

• Serve hot with lavash bread, sliced raw onions mixed with herbs, grilled tomatoes or peppers, and a side of fresh salad or yogurt.

Approximate Nutrition (per serving)