Khinkali Recipe: Juicy Georgian Meat Dumplings at Home 2026

Khinkali are plump, twisted dumplings from Georgia, filled with a juicy mixture of pork and beef, onion, garlic, and fresh cilantro, then boiled until tender. The thin dough holds a savory broth inside, so every bite is rich and satisfying.

This home-kitchen version keeps things simple by using store-bought dumpling wrappers instead of making dough from scratch. The filling comes together quickly with warm caraway or cumin and plenty of black pepper, giving the dumplings their classic Georgian flavor.

Once folded, the khinkali cook in just seven minutes, making them a surprisingly fast main course for a cozy dinner. Serve them hot, and let everyone grab them by the topknot, bite the side, and sip the broth before eating the rest.

Ingredients for Khinkali

For 4 servings (about 20 dumplings)

• 500 g mixed ground meat (pork and beef)
• 2 onions
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon caraway or cumin
• Salt
• 1 small bunch fresh cilantro
• Half a glass of water
• Black pepper
• 20 dumpling wrappers

How to Make Khinkali Step by Step

1. Prepare the Meat Base

Since we are not making the dough from scratch, we start directly with the filling. Put 500 g of mixed ground meat into a large bowl.

2. Add the Onions

Finely chop 2 onions (a food processor makes quick work of this). Add them to the meat.

3. Crush the Garlic and Spices

In a mortar, crush 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon caraway (or cumin if you can't find caraway), a pinch of salt, and a couple of turns of black pepper. Add this mixture to the bowl with the filling.

4. Chop the Cilantro

Chop 1 small bunch of fresh cilantro and add it to the bowl as well.

5. Mix the Filling

Pour in half a glass of water and mix all the ingredients until the filling is homogeneous.

6. Fill the Wrappers

Fill 20 dumpling wrappers one by one: moisten the edge with a wet finger and place a tablespoon of filling in the center.

7. Pleat and Seal

Take one edge and make small pleats with your fingers all the way around the circle. Press the top firmly so it is well sealed, and place the khinkali on a board or mat.

8. Repeat with the Rest

Repeat the process until you run out of filling and wrappers. You should get 20 pieces.

9. Boil the Khinkali

Once all the khinkali are ready, cook them in plenty of boiling salted water for about 7 minutes.

10. Serve Immediately

Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a platter. Serve right away, as they are best hot and tend to stick together as they dry.

Tips for the Best Khinkali

Keep the Filling Juicy

The water in the filling is what creates the delicious broth inside each dumpling. Mix it in thoroughly so the meat stays moist, and avoid squeezing the filling when you wrap it.

Master the Pleats

Traditional khinkali have at least 19 pleats, but you don't need to count them. Just make small, even folds around the edge and press the top firmly to seal in the juices.

Eat Them Like a Georgian

Hold the khinkali by the topknot, take a bite from the side, and sip the broth before eating the rest. The thick top is usually left on the plate, both because it can be undercooked and because it helps you keep count of how many you've eaten.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado