Braai
The South African way of grilling meat over wood or charcoal: boerewors sausage, lamb chops, chicken and more, enjoyed with friends. It is as much a social gathering as a meal.

Barbecue barbecook: No machine-readable author provided. Bree~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Where it comes from
A braai is a weekend tradition in South Africa and neighboring countries, where outdoor fires and long afternoons are part of life. Typical sides include pap with tomato-onion sauce and a salad.
Explore the cuisine of South Africa.
Make Braai at home
Ingredients
- 1 kg lamb chops
- 500 g boerewors sausage
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds, crushed
- 1 tbsp coarse salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 corn on the cob
- bread rolls for serving
How it's made
- Light wood or charcoal and let it burn down to glowing coals, about 40 minutes.
- Mix oil, garlic, coriander, salt and pepper and rub over the lamb and chicken.
- Cook the chicken first on medium heat, turning, for 25-30 minutes.
- Add the lamb chops and sausage; grill 10-15 minutes, turning for even color.
- Grill corn alongside until charred in spots.
- Rest the meat for 5 minutes and serve with pap or bread rolls.
Variations
- Sosaties: marinated, skewered lamb with dried apricots.
- Braaibroodjies: grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches.
Cook’s tip: Cook over coals, not flames; a steady glow gives even cooking and a better flavor.
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Description and method written by Intercontinental Chef. Home-style method; quantities are a starting point, so adjust to taste.
- Barbecue barbecook: No machine-readable author provided. Bree~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
