Odessa-style lobio recipe (Georgian bean dish with sesame oil)

Lobio is one of the most iconic highlights of Georgian cuisine, originating several centuries ago and now popular all over the world. According to an old legend, it was created by poor villagers who wanted to feed Queen Tamar during a military campaign when food supplies were running low.

Odessa-style lobio is a unique variation of this traditional bean dish, known for its rich flavor and spicy aroma. When prepared with raw sesame oil, it becomes not only delicious but also highly beneficial for your health.

Sesame oil is rich in calcium and potassium — essential minerals for strong bones, cartilage, and overall musculoskeletal health. It also contains powerful antioxidants such as sesamol and sesamolin, which help protect the body from free radicals and slow down the aging process.

The CraftOil company produces premium-quality, cold-pressed sesame oil from both black and white sesame seeds. Their oils are crafted using certified presses, bottled in glass containers, vacuum-sealed, and shipped worldwide. CraftOil guarantees exceptional quality and outstanding taste in all its natural products.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

For prepare you will need:

• 100 g canned beans;
• 5–6 sprigs of fresh cilantro;
• ½ carrot;
• 1 small bell pepper;
• 1 medium onion;
• 1 garlic clove;
• 1 tablespoon (slightly less) sesame oil;
• ½ teaspoon khmeli-suneli spice mix;
• 1 teaspoon Svan salt;
• 1 teaspoon dry adjika or 2 teaspoons spicy ketchup;

Step-by-step cooking instructions

Peel and wash the onion and carrot, then slice them into thin strips or ნახევ rings. Rinse the bell pepper, remove seeds and stem, and chop into medium-sized pieces. Peel and mince the garlic (using a press or finely chopping with a knife). Wash the cilantro, pat dry with a towel, and chop finely.

Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and bell pepper. Sauté for about 20 minutes until the onion turns golden and aromatic. Add canned beans, ketchup (or adjika), khmeli-suneli, Svan salt, and chopped cilantro. Mix well. Simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes.

The dish is ready to serve immediately after cooking.

Notes & Variations:

In some regions of Georgia, fried ham is added to lobio for extra flavor. You can use boiled beans instead of canned ones. Sesame oil can be substituted with mustard oil or camelina oil. As an alternative, the dish can be made with soybeans instead of beans.

Cold-pressed organic oils, Svan salt, and high-quality soybeans are available in the CraftOil online store. These products enhance everyday meals, adding rich flavor while significantly improving their nutritional value.