Traditional Braaibroodjies: The Ultimate South African Grilled Cheese

by Dan van Straaten September 23, 2024 0 Comments

Traditional Braai Broodjies (Braaibroodjies) — South African BBQ Grilled Sandwiches

If you want the absolute peak of live-fire side dishes, look no further than the humble Braaibroodjie.

It is the undisputed champion of the South African braai. Better known as braai broodjies, or in one word, braaibroodjies. Pronounced bry-broiky (meaning “barbecue bread”), this is not your standard kitchen toastie. It is an oozy, smoky powerhouse packed with cheese tomato and onion, plus a heavy hit of fruit chutney. It gets toasted right over the open coals until the outside is golden and crisp. If you are throwing meat on the fire, you need these on the grid.

The Spirit of Braai Day

Any warm weekend is an excuse to light a fire. But every year on September 24th, South Africa celebrates National Heritage Day also better known as National Braai Day. Archbishop Desmond Tutu championed it best when he said “braai” is the one word that unites everyone. Ask any purist: a celebration fire is only finished when the braaibroodjies hit the grill.

Master the Flip 🔄

You cannot flip these individually with tongs. The filling will fall right into the ashes. You need a hinged, double-sided braai grid. Lock all four sandwiches into the basket so you can flip them together with one turn of your wrist.

Pro-tip: Open and close the basket slightly after the first flip so the melting cheese does not cement itself to the metal wire.

The Authentic Braaibroodjie Recipe

This classic is ridiculously easy to build, but it delivers a massive balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors.

Prep Time: 10 Mins | Cook Time: 10 Mins | Yields: 4 Sandwiches

The Hardware & Ingredients:

8 thick slices of bread (standard white works best for the perfect crust)
Salted butter (softened so it spreads easily)
Fruit chutney (Mrs. Ball’s is the gold standard)
Full-fat Cheddar cheese (grated heavily)
2 ripe tomatoes (sliced into thin rounds)
1 medium onion (red or white, sliced into thin rings)
Fresh salt and pepper

How to Build It

Butter the Outside: Spread a thick layer of butter on one side of each slice. Crucially, the buttered sides face outward toward the fire. This stops the bread from sticking to your metal grid and guarantees a golden crust.
Add the Sweetness: Flip four slices over (butter-side down) and spread a heavy layer of chutney on the dry inside.
Stack the Fillings: Pile on the grated cheddar, then layer your tomato rounds and onion rings.
Season It: Hit the stack with a solid pinch of salt and pepper.
Lock It Down: Place the remaining four slices on top, making sure the buttered sides are facing out.

4 Rules for the Ultimate Toastie

1.

Stick to White Bread

Sourdough is great, but traditional white bread absorbs the butter better and creates a shatteringly crisp shell over the coals.

2.

Dice the Veg

If you hate pulling a whole onion ring out of your sandwich on the first bite, finely dice the tomatoes and onions. Mix them with the chutney and spread it like a paste over the cheese.

3.

Use Full-Fat Cheese

You need proper fat content to get that stringy melt. Go heavy on the cheddar, or mix in some Gouda or mozzarella.

4.

Control Your Heat

Cook these over medium heat right at the end of the night. Do this while your steaks are resting. Keep the grid high above fading coals to melt the cheese slowly without burning the crust.

THE FOUNDATION:

Premium Hardwood

To hold that steady, low heat for a perfect cheese melt, drop the cheap supermarket charcoal. Build a proper coal bed using authentic, dense African hardwoods like Kameeldoring or Rooikrans. Our imported, Ready to Burn certified wood gives you maximum heat control and a clean smoke profile that brings out the best in your food.

Lets-Braai-UK-Braai-Wood-Firewood-Hardwood-Braaibroodjies-5

Sweet Variation:

The Dessert Toastie

Want to finish the night with something sweet? Swap the savory filling for chocolate hazelnut spread and fluffy marshmallows. Butter the outsides as usual, lock them in the grid, and toast them high over cool embers. Watch them closely! Sugar burns fast, but a gooey marshmallow toastie is unbeatable.

Chocolate and marshmallows braaibroodjies

DON’T FORGET TO GET CREATIVE!

👉 Need to upgrade your outdoor setup?

Browse our heavy-duty freestanding braais and premium accessories, and get that fire lit.

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