Khorovats
In its own language: խորոված
Armenian grilled meat, often cooked on skewers over coals
Khorovats is a grilled meat dish from Armenia, made with lamb, pork, beef, chicken, fish, or veal. The meat may be marinated and is usually cooked over coals, often on skewers. Khorovats is typically served hot with vegetables and is a centerpiece for festive gatherings.
- Khorovats means 'grilled' in Armenian.
- It is made with lamb, pork, beef, chicken, veal, or fish.
- Meat is often cooked on skewers over coals.
- A festival for khorovats is held yearly in Akhtala, Armenia.
- Vegetables, sometimes with eggs, are usually served alongside.
What is Khorovats?
Khorovats is a dish of grilled meat, central to Armenian cooking. It can be made from lamb, pork, beef, chicken, veal, or fish, sometimes with the bone left in, as with chops. The meat is cut into pieces and grilled over coals, often on metal skewers called shampoor. It is usually served hot, accompanied by vegetables, which might be fried and mixed with eggs. The result is a smoky, hearty main dish.
Where does Khorovats come from?
Khorovats comes from Armenia, where grilling meat over coals is a long-standing tradition. The word itself means 'grilled' in Armenian, from the verb 'khorovel'. While the dish is now a symbol of Armenian gatherings, its roots go back centuries, as noted by travelers like Jean Chardin in the 17th century. The practice of grilling meat, sometimes with the skin, reflects local customs and available resources.
How is Khorovats made?
To prepare khorovats, chunks of meat are sometimes marinated, then threaded onto skewers or left as chops with the bone. The meat is grilled over hot coals, either in a tonir (a traditional Armenian oven) or on an open grill. Some versions use steaks or chops without skewers. Vegetables are often fried and served alongside, sometimes with eggs.
How and when is Khorovats eaten?
Khorovats is usually enjoyed at festive meals, often outdoors or at gatherings. It is a dish for special occasions, shared with family and friends. In Armenia, it is common to serve it with vegetables, and the meal is a social event. Restaurants specializing in khorovats can be found, especially in places like Proshian Street in Yerevan.
Kinds of Khorovats
The choice of meat varies: lamb and pork are common, but beef, chicken, veal, and fish are also used. Some regions grill the meat with the bone in, while others use boneless cuts. The accompaniments may differ, but fried green vegetables with eggs are typical. Modern versions may adapt the grilling method or use different marinades.
What Khorovats means
Khorovats is more than food; it is a symbol of Armenian hospitality and celebration. It features in films and literature, and since 2009, an annual khorovats festival takes place in Akhtala, drawing thousands of visitors. The dish brings people together, marking important events and festive days in Armenian life.
Questions people ask about Khorovats
What is khorovats made of?
Khorovats is made from chunks of meat such as lamb, pork, beef, chicken, veal, or fish. The meat can be marinated and is grilled over coals, often on skewers.
Where does khorovats come from?
Khorovats is from Armenia, where it is a traditional dish served at festive occasions and gatherings.
How is khorovats usually cooked?
The meat is cut into pieces, sometimes left on the bone, and grilled over hot coals, often using metal skewers or cooked in a tonir oven.
What is served with khorovats?
Khorovats is commonly served with vegetables, which may be fried and mixed with eggs, resembling scrambled eggs with vegetables.
Is khorovats eaten every day?
Khorovats is generally reserved for festive occasions rather than everyday meals.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Khorovats", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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