{"id":23774,"date":"2020-10-14T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=23774"},"modified":"2024-04-30T17:50:37","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T16:50:37","slug":"ultimate-guide-south-african-braai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/ultimate-guide-south-african-braai\/","title":{"rendered":"The ultimate guide to South African Braai"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Almost everyone loves a good barbecue, but South Africans take the classic BBQ to a whole new level with the braai. More than just a barbecue, the braai is practically a national sport. South Africans absolutely adore a braai and for them, the weekend usually means one thing: the aroma of grilling meats wafting from backyards across the country, while friends and family gather together for a good time. Ready to get your braai on? Here is everything you need to know about the iconic South African braai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a South African braai?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A braai is South Africa<\/a>\u2019s answer to the barbecue – but it\u2019s so much more than that. It\u2019s a special South African feast that can last for hours, and there are plenty of rules and etiquette around a classic braai.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most important part of a braai is the fire. A traditional braai is cooked on local wood, while modern-day braai\u2019s use charcoal instead, and both give the meat a distinct flavour. Using gas to cook doesn\u2019t count as a real braai. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once there are enough hot coals, a grill is placed over the top and the meat is barbecued to perfection on the grill. Even once the food has been cooked, the fire is fed throughout the braai, as the social centrepiece of the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Using wood to create the fire is practically considered an artform in South Africa and even the type of wood used can make a difference to the braai. For example, kameeldoring (camel thorn) burns slowly and gives good heat and coals, while wingerd (vine wood) burns very fast and doesn\u2019t give lasting coals, but is great for giving aroma and flavour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The host of the braai is usually in charge of choosing the wood and tending the fire. Guests will often gather around the fire with a drink, chatting and mingling, while the host or the \u2018Braaimaster\u2019 cooks the meat. There\u2019s a common saying: \u201cJy krap nie aan \u2018n ander man se vuur nie\u201d which means \u201cYou don\u2019t mess around with another man\u2019s fire!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is braai so important to South Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The braai is an essential part of South African culture, and brings family and friends together in celebration for everything from birthdays to graduations to engagements and national holidays. It\u2019s a moment to come together to share good food and feel the love around the fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The word \u2018braai\u2019 is Afrikaans, originating from the Dutch word \u2018braden\u2019 which means \u2018to roast\u2019. The beauty of the braai is that it\u2019s not specific to any one cultural group in South Africa, and it transcends the country\u2019s turbulent past to bring the nation together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> Our 6 Most Memorable Experiences to have in Africa<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of food do you braai?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A post shared by The Pretty Chef (@theeprettychef)<\/a> on Jun 7, 2020 at 8:42am PDT<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> \/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Any meat you can imagine! Lamb, beef, chicken, pork, springbok, warthog, ostrich, eland, kudu, seafood, steaks and boerewors\u2026 Almost nothing is off-limits at the braai! Each piece of meat is marinated and grilled perfectly, and it\u2019s served with side dishes like salads and desserts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides the meat is the humble braai hero, braaibroodjie<\/a>, or \u2018braai bread\u2019. This crowd favourite is a sandwich made from two slices of buttered white bread, filled with tomato, cheese, onion and chutney, and placed on the grill. It’s kind of like a toasted sandwich, but so much better because everything tastes better when cooked on the fire! And to wash it all down? It\u2019s got to be the best local wines and beers, or even brandy and coke, known as karate water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> 7 of the best safari destinations in the world for spotting the Big 5<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When do you have a braai?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

South Africans will have a braai to celebrate almost any occasion or achievement – or to simply get the gang together! Many families will host a small braai once a week and do a big braai for the extra special occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best days to braai is South African Heritage Day on 24 September, fondly known as Braai Day. You can even hold a mini-braai for breakfast or hold a braai indoors if there happens to be inclement weather. Nothing can stop the braai!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by The Pretty Chef (@theeprettychef)<\/a> on Sep 17, 2020 at 9:16am PDT<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> \/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Braai etiquette – how to braai like a local<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

South African braai may be all about having fun – but it\u2019s also serious business. Everyone has their own braai tricks and techniques, and many South Africans are quite adamant about the best way to put on a good braai. Here are some of the hard and fast rules of any South African braai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rules of the braai<\/h3>\n\n\n\n