Photo by Vije Vijendranath on Unsplash
Braai Boerewors
Jump to recipeIngredients
- 2 pounds (900 grams) beef chuck, coarsely ground
- 1 pound (450 grams) pork shoulder, coarsely ground
- 2 tablespoons (12 grams) ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon (5 grams) ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons (4 grams) ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon (2 grams) ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) black pepper
- 2 teaspoons (12 grams) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 gram) cayenne pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (9 grams)
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ice water
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) brandy or apple cider vinegar
- 32 inches (80 centimeters) hog casings, soaked in lukewarm water for 30 minutes
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) pork fat or lard for grilling
Instructions
- 1
Combine the ground beef and pork in a large mixing bowl and place it in the freezer for 15 minutes to keep the meat cold during mixing, which helps achieve the coarse texture.
- 2
Add the coriander, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and minced garlic to the cold meat and mix gently with your hands until just combined, about 2 minutes, avoiding overworking the mixture.
- 3
Add the ice water and brandy or vinegar to the meat mixture and mix until the liquid is fully incorporated and the mixture feels slightly sticky, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- 4
Fill a sausage stuffer with the meat mixture and carefully feed the soaked hog casings onto the stuffer nozzle, leaving about 2 inches (5 centimeters) at the end.
- 5
Stuff the casings slowly and steadily, applying gentle pressure to fill them evenly without air pockets, then twist the filled casing into 4-5 inch (10-12 centimeters) links and prick each link gently with a needle to prevent bursting.
- 6
Let the boerewors rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the casings to set.
- 7
Prepare your braai by building a fire with hardwood charcoal or wood, allowing it to burn down to medium-hot coals with a light ash coating, approximately 45 minutes.
- 8
Oil the grill grates lightly and place the sausages directly over the coals, spacing them about 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart to allow heat circulation.
- 9
Grill the boerewors for 15-20 minutes total, turning frequently every 2-3 minutes with tongs to ensure even cooking and charring, until the casing is deeply browned and cracked and the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius).
- 10
Remove the boerewors from the fire and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving with white bread or pap, and traditional accompaniments like piri-piri sauce, mustard, or chutney.