Braai-Style Homemade Boerewors Sausage with Cherry Plum
This is Part 3 of my braai-inspired series, and the final plate brings everything full circle with one of the most iconic elements of Southern African food culture: boerewors.
After exploring peri-peri chicken in Part 1 and BBQ- and curry-spiced lamb in Part 2, this final installment shifts focus to the centerpiece of many braai gatherings: sausage. In many Southern African homes, boerewors is not just another protein on the grill; it is often the anchor around which everything else is built. From the fire itself to the sides and conversations shared around the table, it holds a central place in the braai experience.
Traditional boerewors is typically made with a higher fat content (often around a 70/30 lean-to-fat ratio), which is key to its signature juiciness and flavour when grilled over open heat. That balance of fat is what gives it its distinctive texture and keeps it from drying out during the braai process.
For this final plate, I also followed through on the community vote, which leaned heavily toward sausage over fish. That result raised an interesting reflection on how different proteins fit into braai culture. While fish certainly plays an important role in some coastal traditions and regions, sausage remains one of the most recognizable and widely enjoyed staples of everyday braai cooking.
Rather than overcomplicating the process, I kept this recipe grounded and accessible. The sausage is made using seasoned ground meat, which can easily be prepared at home and stuffed into casings for full control over flavour and texture. It also serves as a practical introduction for anyone interested in trying homemade boerewors without needing specialized cuts or advanced butchery skills. I used a sausage-stuffing attachment for a KitchenAid mixer, though standalone sausage stuffers work just as well.
The plate is completed with classic sides: pap/sadza, chakalaka, and collard greens. These are not simply additions to the meal; they create balance. Pap/sadza provides the foundation, chakalaka brings heat and spice, and the greens add freshness and contrast. Together, they complete the structure of a proper braai plate.
To close the series, I paired the meal with a cherry plum drink, another choice inspired by the community vote. Throughout this series, drinks have played a subtle but important role in reflecting how braai culture extends beyond food alone. The drink adds brightness and balance, complementing the plate rather than competing with it.
This final recipe is less about complexity and more about completeness: a full braai experience that brings together fire, food, sides, and shared culture on one plate.
Braai-Style Boerewors Sausage with Pap, Chakalaka, and Collard Greens
A traditional boerewors-style sausage made from seasoned ground meat, stuffed and grilled for a classic Southern African braai plate. Served with soft pap, rich chakalaka (vegetable relish), and collard greens, and paired with a refreshing cherry plum drink.
Ingredients
- 2.4 lb ground beef (not too lean)
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 2 tbsp whole coriander seeds
- 1/2 tsp whole allspice berries
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 packet sausage casings (standard pack; amount used will vary depending on stuffing size for 3.4 lb meat)
- 2 cups maize meal
- 3 cups hot water (add gradually)
- 1 to 1½ cups cold water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2–3 carrots, grated
- 1 chilli pepper, minced (optional)
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated (optional)
- 1/2 cup roasted tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup baked beans
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp coriander spice
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4–5 cups collard greens
- 2 tbsp oil or butter
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Splash of water or stock
- Splash of vinegar
Instructions
- Toast coriander seeds, peppercorns, and allspice berries until fragrant, then crush.
- Mix spices with ground beef, pork, salt, paprika, garlic powder, cloves, nutmeg, and vinegar until just combined.
- Let the mixture rest for 20–30 minutes before stuffing.
- Stuff into casings, then loosely cover and refrigerate for 1–12 hours (overnight recommended).
- Before cooking, remove from fridge for 10–15 minutes.
- Grill over medium heat or bake at 325°F (160°C) for about 30 minutes, turning halfway, until browned and cooked through. Do not pierce sausages while cooking.
- Mix maize meal with cold water to form a smooth paste.
- Gradually add hot water while stirring to avoid lumps.
- Cook on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add more maize meal if needed to adjust thickness.
- Beat with a wooden spoon until smooth, then cover and let rest.
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Sauté onion, carrot, green pepper, chilli, garlic, and ginger until soft.
- Add curry powder, coriander, and smoked paprika and cook briefly.
- Add roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, baked beans, and water.
- Simmer 10–15 minutes until thick.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce at the end and season.
- Sauté greens in oil or butter until wilted.
- Add a splash of water or stock, cover, and simmer until tender.
- Finish with salt and vinegar
Notes
- Always wash sausage casings properly according to packet instructions before use.
- Resting the sausage mixture before stuffing improves texture and handling.
- Do not cook sausages on high heat; low to medium heat prevents splitting.
- Pap texture can be adjusted by adding more maize meal or water depending on preference.
- Stuffing sausages takes practice; small tears or uneven lengths are normal for first attempts.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
650Fat (grams)
40 gCarbs (grams)
55 gProtein (grams)
30 gI am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on dontmissmyplate.com should only be used as a general guideline.
