Lobio (Georgian Kidney Bean Stew with Walnuts)
Local name: ლობიო
In short: A thick Georgian stew of kidney beans, golden onions, ground walnuts and fresh coriander, served with cornmeal bread or pickles. It takes about 1 h 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 30 min
- Resting
- 12 h
- Total
- 1 h 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 465 kcal
Lobio is the bean dish at the center of Georgian home cooking, a thick stew of kidney beans simmered with onions, garlic, walnuts and plenty of fresh coriander. It is eaten from clay pots with mchadi, a crisp cornmeal cake, and a plate of pickles. Every household has its own balance of spice, and the dish works as a vegan main or a side with roasted meat. It reheats well and improves overnight.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans and put them in a pot with 1.5 liters (6 cups) of fresh water. Bring to a hard boil and boil for a full 10 minutes, which breaks down the toxin in raw kidney beans. Reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer the beans for 50 to 60 minutes, until completely tender. Save 250 ml (1 cup) of the cooking liquid and drain the rest.
- While the beans cook, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the onions for 12 to 15 minutes until golden. Add the garlic and spices for 1 minute.
- Return the beans to the pot and add the onion mixture and the ground walnuts. Simmer for 10 minutes. Mash about a quarter of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the stew.
- Stir in the cilantro, vinegar and salt. Add some of the saved liquid if the stew is too thick. Rest for 10 minutes before serving with mchadi, bread or pickles.
Tips
- In a hurry? Use two 400 g (14 oz) cans of kidney beans, drained, and simmer them with the onions and walnuts for 15 minutes in 250 ml (1 cup) water.
- Georgian cooks often finish lobio in a clay pot. Keep the stew just thick enough to scoop with bread, and add a little hot water when reheating.
Questions and answers
Why do kidney beans need to be boiled hard?
Raw and undercooked kidney beans contain a natural toxin that can cause stomach upset. Boiling them hard for 10 minutes destroys it, and slow cookers alone do not get hot enough.
What do you serve with lobio?
Mchadi (cornmeal cakes) is classic. Pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, sliced tomatoes or plain bread also go well.
Can I freeze lobio?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat with a splash of water. Stir in fresh cilantro just before serving.
How long does it take to make Lobio (Georgian Kidney Bean Stew with Walnuts)?
About 1 h 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lobio (Georgian Kidney Bean Stew with Walnuts)?
About 465 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 52 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 465 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 18 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 870 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
