South African Bobotie

Name: South African Bobotie
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 500 g of ground meat (beef or lamb); 1 onions (finely chopped); 2 cloves of garlic (pressed); 1 tbsp of olive oil; 2 tbsp of curry powder; 1 tsp of turmeric; 1 pinch of salt; 1 pinch of pepper; 2 tbsp of cider vinegar; 1 tbsp of turbinado sugar; 2 tbsp of apricot jam; 100 g of stale bread; 100 ml of milk; 2 eggs (for the topping); 150 ml of milk (for the topping); bay leaves

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South African bobotie is an iconic dish of spiced ground meat topped with an egg and milk custard, then baked until golden. This flavorful, comforting dish is often served with yellow rice and chutney.

Total time: 1 h 10
Prep: 25 min
Cook: 45 min
Difficulty: Medium
Per person: €0.75

By the CookinBreak team

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Nutrition facts

per serving · estimate

550kcal

Protein35 g26%
Carbs45 g33%
Fat25 g41%
Fiber3 g

Share of each nutrient in the calories of one serving.

Good to know

Chef's tip

For an extra touch of authenticity, serve the bobotie with turmeric yellow rice and a few spoonfuls of fruit chutney.

Freezing : Can you freeze this recipe?

Yes

Freezes very well once cooked, up to 3 months in individual portions in airtight containers.

Storage : How long does it keep?

Keeps 3 to 4 days max in an airtight container in the fridge.

Making ahead : Can you make it the day before?

Yes

The meat base can be prepared and stored. Add the egg-milk custard just before baking.

Reheating : How do you reheat it?

Oven: 15-20 minutes at 160°C to keep the browned topping. Microwave: a few minutes at medium power, but it may soften the texture of the top. Air fryer: 5-8 minutes at 160°C. Saucepan not suitable.

Variations

Use ground beef or ground lamb.
Add a pinch of turmeric to the custard for a golden color.
Press the bay leaves into the topping.

Mistakes to avoid

Forgetting to squeeze out the soaked bread: press it before crumbling it.
Pouring in the custard abruptly: pour it gently over the meat.
Taking the dish out too soon: the topping should be golden and set.

Frequently asked questions

What is bobotie?

Bobotie is an iconic South African dish: spiced ground meat topped with an egg and milk custard, then baked in the oven until the topping is golden.

Which spices should you use?

Curry powder and turmeric flavor the meat, while cider vinegar, light brown sugar, and apricot jam add a sweet-and-sour touch. A pinch of turmeric also colors the custard.

What is the stale bread for?

Soaked in milk, then squeezed out and crumbled, the stale bread is mixed into the meat: it makes the mixture moist and soaks up the flavors before it goes into the oven.

How long should bobotie bake?

Transfer the meat to a baking dish, pour over the egg-milk custard, lay on the bay leaves, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 180 °C, until the topping is golden and set.