Ojakhuri – Georgian Pork and Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients:

Preparation mode:

👉 Ojakhuri is Georgian home cooking at its most comforting: juicy pork and golden fried potatoes tossed with onions, garlic and khmeli suneli. Its name means “family dish”, and it is exactly that – simple, filling and loved by everyone at the table.

🇬🇪 What Is Ojakhuri?

Ojakhuri (ოჯახური) comes from the Georgian word ojakhi – “family”. It is a classic everyday meal and a favorite in Georgian restaurants, traditionally served sizzling in a clay ketsi pan. The meat and potatoes are cooked separately so both get crispy, then combined with onions and spices at the end.

🍳 How to Make Ojakhuri

1. Brown the pork. Heat a large heavy pan over medium-high heat. Add the pork with a pinch of salt and let it cook in its own fat (add a little oil if the meat is lean) for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through

2. Fry the potatoes. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a second pan and fry the potato wedges in batches for 12–15 minutes until golden and crisp. Season with salt

3. Add the onions. Push the pork to one side, add the onions (and bell pepper, if using) and cook for 5 minutes until soft and lightly golden

4. Season. Add the garlic, khmeli suneli, ground coriander and black pepper and stir for 1 minute until fragrant

5. Combine. Fold the crispy potatoes into the pork, toss everything together for 2 minutes and finish with chopped cilantro

😋 Why You’ll Love Ojakhuri

Crispy potatoes, juicy pork and warm Georgian spices – it is the kind of dish that disappears from the pan in minutes. It also needs only basic ingredients.

💡 Tips for the Best Ojakhuri

• Fry the potatoes separately so they stay crispy.
• Choose fatty pork neck – lean meat becomes dry.
• Serve straight from a cast-iron or clay pan to keep it hot.
• No khmeli suneli? Mix dried coriander, fenugreek, savory and a little marigold or paprika.

🍽️ How to Serve Ojakhuri

Serve hot with fresh tomato and cucumber salad, Georgian pickles (mzhave) and bread. A spoon of tkemali plum sauce on the side is perfect.

❓ Ojakhuri FAQ

What does ojakhuri mean?
It means “family” or “home-style” in Georgian.

Can I make ojakhuri with chicken or beef?
Yes – chicken thighs or veal are popular variations.

👉 Learn more about Georgian cuisine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_cuisine

More Georgian recipes on my website:
👉 https://cuisinesguide.com/recipe-cuisine/georgian-cuisine/
👉 Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread)
👉 Chicken Shkmeruli – Georgian Garlic Chicken

Footnotes:

Photo: Odjakhuri - Georgian (Kartvelian) dish with meat. Served in Galaktioni restaurant Istanbul by AlexandreTheGreatt, Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC0. Cropped and color-adjusted by Cuisines Guide.