Lobio is a beloved Georgian dish made primarily from red beans and plenty of fresh herbs. If you prefer to skip the long cooking time of dried beans, canned beans can be used as a shortcut. Lobio is a simple, flavorful, and satisfying vegetarian dish that showcases the essence of Georgian home cooking. In Georgia, “lobio” simply means “beans,” and there are countless variations of this dish, often enriched with nuts, herbs, and spices.

The word lobio translates directly from Georgian as “beans.” In culinary terms, it refers to a hearty dish made from boiled beans, with dozens of regional versions across Georgia. These variations differ by the type of beans used, their color, size, shape, texture, and most importantly, the seasonings and additional ingredients.

Historically, the dish traces back to ancient times, when it was made with hyacinth beans. The more familiar varieties of beans were introduced to Georgian cuisine later, around the end of the 17th century, but the name lobio remained. Whether prepared with white, pink, or red beans, each version has its own subtle flavor notes. It’s best to cook with one variety at a time, as different beans require varying cooking times.

Lobio

Lobio – Georgian Bean and Walnut Stew

Lobio is a traditional Georgian dish made primarily from red beans and plenty of fresh cilantro. This simple yet flavorful dish is a staple of Georgian cuisine and is often enjoyed by vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. The word lobio literally translates to "beans" in Georgian, and the dish exists in many variations across the region.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g red beans soaked overnight or canned
  • 2 pcs onion finely chopped
  • 100 g walnuts half chopped, half whole
  • 1 bunch cilantro fresh
  • salt to taste

Method
 

  1. Beans pour overnight with water. In the morning, drain the water and cook 2 hours. If you use canned beans, skip this step.
    500 g red beans
    red beans
  2. Peel onions, finely chop, fry.
    2 pcs onion
    fried onions
  3. Part of walnuts chop, part leave intact.
    100 g walnuts
    walnuts
  4. chopped walnuts
    chopped walnuts
  5. Once the beans are ready, drain and cool. After cooling, add the fried onions, nuts, chopped coriander, salt.
    salt
  6. It is important to use exactly cilantro, as it gives the dish a special flavor and aroma. In general, it is difficult to imagine Georgian cuisine without cilantro.
    1 bunch cilantro
    cilantro

🍽 Serving Suggestion:

Lobio can be served warm or at room temperature, often accompanied by mchadi (Georgian cornbread) or pickled vegetables.

Enjoy your meal!