Mtsvadi (Georgian Pork Skewers)
Local name: მწვადი
In short: Cubes of pork marinated with onion and red wine, threaded onto skewers and grilled over coals, served with raw onion, herbs and tart plum sauce. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Mtsvadi is Georgia's way of grilling meat: cubes of pork, lamb or beef threaded on skewers and cooked over glowing coals, traditionally from vine cuttings. The seasoning is minimal, just salt, onion and sometimes a little wine, so the flavor of the meat and smoke takes over. It is served on flatbread with sliced onions, fresh herbs and tkemali, the tart plum sauce. Every weekend barbecue in Georgia has a plate of it.
Instructions
- Toss the pork with the onion rings, wine, salt, pepper and coriander. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Light a charcoal grill and let the coals burn until covered with gray ash and giving off steady, strong heat, about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Thread the pork onto 8 skewers, mixing leaner and fattier pieces and leaving a little space between the cubes. Shake off the onion.
- Grill over medium-high heat, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, for 12 to 15 minutes, until browned and the pork reaches at least 63°C (145°F). Rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve straight from the skewers, with flatbread, sliced raw onion, fresh herbs and tkemali.
Tips
- No charcoal? Use a very hot grill pan, or broil the skewers 8 cm (3 in) from the heat for 12 to 15 minutes, turning often. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes first.
- Choose pork neck or shoulder with some fat. Lean loin dries out. Lamb leg or beef sirloin can replace the pork with the same method.
Questions and answers
What marinade is used for mtsvadi?
Georgian cooks usually keep it simple: salt, onion and sometimes a splash of wine or vinegar. Heavy spice rubs and sharp vinegar marinades are not typical, because the flavor of the meat and smoke is the point.
What do you serve with mtsvadi?
Sliced raw onion, fresh herbs such as cilantro and basil, pickles, tkemali sauce and bread, plus Georgian red wine.
Can I cook mtsvadi in the oven?
Yes. Roast the skewers on a rack at 250°C (480°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, turning once, then finish under the broiler for 2 minutes for color.
How long does it take to make Mtsvadi (Georgian Pork Skewers)?
About 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mtsvadi (Georgian Pork Skewers)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 35 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
