We celeberate Heritage Day soon and the weather has just picked up to make for a perfect day to be enjoyed throughout South Africa.  This also means that many of us will be out and about on 24 September looking for the perfect place to throw a boerie on the grill. Let’s get into some excellent braai ideas for summer.

As unique as we all are in our melting pot of culture, there are a few things we all do the same. That is a good braai, bbq or chesanyama. We all follow the basic rules. Snacks, entertainment, sports and the flickering of the flame as we prep our food  for the break of the year. We celebrate braai day with these tips.

The Hardware

First things first. What type of braai are you looking to use? What do you find most comfortable and most efficient for your style of braaing? Decide whether you want to keep it traditional with wood fires or if you are going with a fast-heating gas braai. Maybe you want both options. See what suppliers can offer and choose what’s right for you.

If you are going away for Heritage Day, you may have to find a good spot to get your braai on. Many day-visit areas offer proper built-in braai structures that can handle a big family’s food and more.

Pro Braaier Talk

There are a few braai tips to take into consideration when braaing. Basic things like when to turn the meat is something some people are not well versed on.

Wors or sausage is always the first thing to place on the fire. Sausage is followed by ribs and chops. Many experts say you should leave the steak for last. Make sure you heap your hot coals under the steak to make sure it’s suitably hot to get that steak sizzling.

Having herbs and lemon by your side is always a good idea. Rosemary and Thyme are wonderful herbs to use with your braai meats and vegetables. Lemon helps to tenderise your meat and keep it juicy. One of our top braai ideas? Make sure to marinate your meat the night before for finger-licking good food.

Top Braai Spots

This list is endless so we chose a few our favourites around the country. If you are staying in the city or at home, we must declare that a home braai is by far one of the best. You don’t have to go anywhere!

If you are looking for something close, consider the botanical gardens or even the zoo. They all have lovely braai amenities. Just make sure you bring everything along that you may need.

Beach braais, if permitted, are also a favourite. The smell of the braai, with sea, sun and laughter is enough to soothe any soul.

Most hiking trails around South Africa also offer great braai amenities. Choose a spot in the shade and close to a pool or natural water reserve. Braai masters get hot beyond the coals and a quick, refreshing dip is in order.

Favorites to Braai

South Africans love to braai specific food. In other place of the world, sausage and burger patties are the order of the day. Not in South Africa! Anything and everything is suitable for the braai. Be it meat, veggies, fish or bread. It is all suitable for the braai grid.

Braaing can be a tedious process because it takes long to get the meat where you want it. Some meats can take 40 minutes to braai and others can take a quick 20 minutes.

Braaibroodtjies (bread grilled on the fire with a filling) is always a winner. Meat and veggie sosaties come in a close second with boerewors (sausage), chops and steak in quick pursuit. Side dishes include fresh salads, iconic pasta salads and pap.

If you merely take these few points into consideration, you can be your very own braai master.

Find more braai ideas here.

Find a braai installer near you!