Armenian Recipes
14 recipesArmenian food is shaped by mountains, orchards and a long habit of baking. Lavash, the thin flatbread, goes with every meal, wrapped around cheese and fresh herbs or used to scoop up stews. Lamb, beef and pork are grilled over coals as khorovats, and wheat in many forms, from bulgur to whole-grain porridge to rice pilaf with vermicelli, fills the plate. Cooks stuff grape leaves, peppers and eggplants with rice and meat, and set out plenty of fresh tarragon, basil, cilantro and mint. Yogurt goes into soups and sauces, while apricots, walnuts and pomegranates feature in sweets and festive dishes. Seasoning is gentle: allspice, cinnamon, paprika and dried mint are more common than chili. Feasts have their own dishes, such as ghapama for New Year, harissa for church holidays, and gata and anoushabour around Christmas, plus a long spread of cold appetizers whenever guests arrive.
Staple ingredients
- lavash
- bulgur and wheat
- lamb, beef and pork
- yogurt
- fresh herbs (tarragon, basil, cilantro)
- walnuts
- apricots and pomegranates
- eggplant and peppers
Soups
Salads
Main Dishes
Khorovats (Armenian Grilled Pork Skewers)AM55 minEasy
Lahmajo (Armenian Thin Meat Flatbread)AM1 h 35 minMedium
Tolma (Armenian Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lamb and Rice)AM2 h 25 minMedium
Ghapama (Armenian Stuffed Pumpkin with Rice and Dried Fruit)AM2 h 10 minEasy
Harissa (Armenian Chicken and Wheat Porridge)AM4 h 20 minMedium
Manti (Armenian Baked Meat Dumplings with Garlic Yogurt)AM1 h 55 minChallenging
Side Dishes
Breads
Lavash (Armenian Thin Flatbread)AM1 h 5 minMedium
Zhingyalov Hats (Armenian Flatbread Stuffed with Fresh Greens)AM1 hMedium
Desserts
Gata (Armenian Sweet Bread with Buttery Khoriz Filling)AM1 h 10 minMedium
Anoushabour (Armenian Sweet Barley and Dried Fruit Pudding)AM1 h 15 minEasy
Drinks
Common questions
What is Armenian food known for?
Khorovats (grilled meat), tolma (stuffed grape leaves), lahmajo (thin meat flatbread), lavash bread and sweet pastries such as gata. Fresh herbs, yogurt and dried fruit are everywhere.
What is the national dish of Armenia?
There is no official one. Khorovats, the barbecue, is the most common celebration meal, and harissa, a slow-cooked wheat and chicken porridge, is the dish most tied to tradition and church holidays.
Is Armenian food spicy?
No, it is usually mild. Seasoning leans on fresh herbs, allspice, cinnamon, dried mint and paprika, and hot pepper is offered on the side for those who want it.