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South African Homemade Boerewors Recipe

Ever heard of boerewors? Pronounced boo-ruh-vors, this South African delicacy is far more than your average sausage. Originating from the heart of South Africa, the name itself derives from the Afrikaans words for “farmer” (boer) and “sausage” (wors). But enough about linguistics—let’s dive into the deliciousness of boerewors and how you can bring a taste of South Africa to your own backyard barbecue.

The South African Standard: How It’s Made

Did you know that South African law has regulations on the composition of boerewors? It must contain a minimum of 90% meat, including beef, lamb, and pork, with no more than 30% fat content. The remaining 10% consists of a blend of spices and other ingredients. No offal or mechanically recovered meat pulp allowed—talk about quality standards!

Crafting Boerewors from Scratch

While boerewors may be readily available in South African grocery stores, those of us living abroad have to roll up our sleeves and make it ourselves. But fear not, because we’ve got the recipe right here for you.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 kg beef, minced
• 1.5 kg pork, minced
• 500 g pork fat, coarsely chopped
• 10 tsp (50ml) whole coriander seeds
• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) salt
• 1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cloves
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) grated nutmeg
• 3 Tbsp (45 ml) ground allspice
• ½ cup (125 ml) good quality vinegar
• ± 9 sausage casings

Method:

1. Combine the minced meat and pork fat, handling gently to prevent stringiness.
2. Roast and grind coriander seeds, then combine with other spices and mix well with the meat mixture. Add vinegar.
3. Let the mixture rest for about an hour before filling the casings.
4. Cook immediately or store in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.

Cooking Boerewors the Authentic Way

In South Africa, boerewors is traditionally cooked on the grill over medium-hot coals in its original coil shape. Keep turning the meat often to avoid burning, ensuring it remains juicy. Remember, do not pierce the boerewors while cooking to retain its moisture.