If you’ve ever been to a braai in South Africa, you’ll know that boerewors is a South African staple. So much so that it’ll give coleslaw, and corn on the cob, a run for its money. But what makes it so legendary in South Africa is that it can be enjoyed any time of the day. Yes, really! For instance, it can be enjoyed for ‘brekkie’ (South African for breakfast), brunch, or lunch. Or even Sunday dinner – take your pick! And what’s more, it’s best prepared over BBQ grills or barbecues, too. Here’s how to make your own version of boerewors over a BBQ grill.
The great invention
It’s hard to believe that boerewors has been around since the 17th century, when Dutch settlers made their way into South Africa. Made of ground beef and a combination of other widely available game, it was mixed with spices and herbs, encased in sausage skin, and preserved and portioned for long journeys. And was, therefore, a bit different from the juicy and more succulent version you might find on South African braai platters today. Similarly prepared to biltong, the original version of boerewors was dried, and salted to make it last longer. However, the Dutch attempted to moisten the meat by adding a bit of fat to it, which is still commonly done in many boerewors recipes today.
But what’s it taste like?
Although you can’t quite put its taste into words, boerewors is quite simply – delicious. No ordinary sausage, boerewors usually contains a significantly higher percentage of meat versus other sausage fillings. It also has a distinct beefy, meaty taste. And is infused with the most delicious herbs and spices that give it a hint of freshness that’s uncommon in other types of sausages.
The preparation process
South Africans take the art of perfecting boerewors so seriously that there’ even a nationwide competition every year to judge who does it best. However, most boerewors recipes have more or less the same ingredients. These include a blend of mainly beef cuts with a small portion of other fattier meats to moisten the filling a bit.
A special blend of spices
Key spices you might find in traditional boerewors sausage inlcude pepper, coriander, cloves, nutmeg, some sugar, and of course salt. The end result? A flavorful sausage with a mild yet pungent flavor. Similarly, a little salt and vinegar go a long way in preserving the freshness of this braai time classic. Sausage casing is then used to pack in this meaty filling. And then, of course, it’s time for a quick sizzle on the braai. If you’re a fan of grilling versus other outdoor cooking methods, boerewors is the ideal meat for searing quickly. And can be grilled on BBQ grills or, better yet – the KUDU Grill.
How you want to cook it
With boerewors, the less handling the better. All you have to do is remove the packaging and pop it onto the grill as is. You don’t have to bother with unraveling its coiled shape, as doing so will make flipping and turning it a mission. Most importantly, do not pierce the skin. And NEVER overcook it. Simple and easy to cook, boerewors needs about twenty to twenty-five minutes over hot coals. However, make sure to flip the boerewors every so often to ensure it’s evenly cooked. In fact, grilling boerewors requires no fancy grill master skills. It’s so simple that anyone can do it. And is one of the many reasons why you might want to try it if you ever get the chance to.
Accompaniments are everything
Boerewors is best served on a roll with tomato and onion relish (also known as a ‘boerie roll’ in South Africa). Or you can dish it up with a bit of ‘pap’ (maize meal) on the side to make it even more authentically South African. You could even try adding some grilled fruit to the plate to give it that extra bit of summertime freshness and brightness.
Keeping up with the tradition
There is a reason why popular traditions continue to be best-kept secrets. And while many secret recipes are usually kept under wraps, others (like these) are meant to be shared and enjoyed around the dinner table, no matter where you’re from.
In fact, that’s how the KUDU grill and accessories came to be. At KUDU Grills, we celebrate BBQ grills. And believe in transforming outdoor grilling to create memories that can be passed on from generation to generation.
So contact KUDU Grills today for more information on how we can make your outdoor experience that much more memorable.