Boerewors
A quintessential South African farmer's sausage, this coiled beef and pork sausage is infused with the aromatic warmth of coriander and other spices. It's an absolute essential for any braai (barbecue).
🧂 Ingredients
- 2kg Beef chuck or brisket
- 500g Pork fat (e.g., from belly or shoulder)
- 3 tbsp Coriander seeds
- 6 Whole cloves
- 1/4 tsp Whole nutmeg
- 60ml White wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- approx. 4-5 meters Sausage casings (natural or collagen)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the meat: Coarsely mince the beef and pork fat. Aim for a coarse grind (about 8-10mm plate on a meat grinder) to ensure a good texture. If grinding at home, do it in batches, keeping the meat and fat very cold to prevent smearing. Alternatively, ask your butcher to do this for you.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Toast and grind the spices: In a dry frying pan over medium heat, toast the coriander seeds and whole cloves until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Let them cool slightly, then grind them finely using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Grate the nutmeg fresh if using whole.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Mix the sausage filling: In a large bowl, combine the minced beef and pork fat. Add the ground coriander and cloves, grated nutmeg, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and white wine vinegar. Using your hands, mix everything thoroughly until well combined and slightly sticky. This ensures the spices and fat are evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing, which can make the sausage tough.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
Stuff the casings: Prepare your sausage stuffer. Attach a nozzle suitable for your casings. Feed the prepared sausage casings onto the nozzle. Carefully stuff the meat mixture into the casings, forming one long, continuous coil. Try to avoid trapping air pockets. If air pockets form, gently prick them with a fine needle and squeeze out the air. Continue until all the meat mixture is used.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 5
Cook the boerewors: Prepare your braai (grill) for medium-high heat. The coals should be glowing red with a light ash coating. Place the boerewors coil directly onto the hot grill. Cook for approximately 20-25 minutes, turning carefully with tongs every few minutes to ensure even browning and cooking. **Crucially, never prick the sausage**, as this will cause the flavorful juices to escape, resulting in a dry sausage.
⏱️ 20-25 minutes - 6
Serve: Once the boerewors is cooked through, with a nice browned exterior and no pink meat visible inside, remove it from the braai. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. It's traditionally served with pap (a stiff maize porridge) and chakalaka (a spicy vegetable relish).
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Never prick the boerewors while cooking; the juices are essential for flavor and moisture.
- ✓The traditional coiled shape is iconic and helps the sausage cook evenly on the braai.
- ✓Coriander is the signature spice of boerewors; don't skip it!
- ✓Ensure your meat and fat are very cold when grinding for the best texture.
- ✓If you don't have a meat grinder, you can often have your butcher grind the meat for you.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of beef cuts like chuck, brisket, and short rib.
- Some recipes include a small amount of lamb or mutton for a different flavor profile.
- Experiment with adding other spices like allspice, black pepper, or even a pinch of chili flakes for a spicier kick.