What is Braai? The Meaning of a South African Braai.

by Dan van Straaten January 4, 2025 0 Comments

The Ultimate Guide to braai (The South African way!)

Who doesn’t love the smell of meat sizzling over an open fire? BBQing is huge in the UK right now. But if you talk to a South African, they won’t say they’re having a BBQ. They braai!

So, what does braai mean?

Pronounced “bry” (rhyming with “try”), the word comes from the Dutch braden, meaning to grill. It’s short for braaivleis, which means grilled meat.

The braai barbecue started with the Afrikaner community. Today, it is an essential part of South African culture. You’ll also find people gathering around a wood fire across Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Rain or shine, morning or night, it doesn’t matter. A South African barbecue isn’t just about cooking food. It’s about the people you share it with.

The Ultimate Guide to braai (South African way!)

The Main Difference: South African Braai vs. UK BBQ

It all starts with making the perfect fire.

A traditional braai relies on a real wood fire, not gas or quick-light charcoal bags. Burning hardwood brings out the best flavours in the meat. Different woods produce different aromas, and the whole garden smells amazing while you wait.

And that brings us to the biggest difference: time.

A UK BBQ is usually over once the burgers are cooked. But a braai barbecue is a long social event. Building the fire and getting good coals takes time. You sit back, sip a cold drink, and catch up. Even after the food is done, the coals stay hot. Guests gather around the fire late into the night, which is a major element of South African culture.

Traditional Braaibroodjies: The Ultimate South African Grilled Cheese

Traditional Braai Food: What Can You Cook?

You can throw almost anything on the grill, but these are classic staples when cooking steaks on braai:

Steaks & Chops: T-bones, fillet steaks, and juicy lamb chops are non-negotiable.

Boerewors: Traditional “farmer’s sausage” packed with spices like coriander and cloves.

Chicken Flatties: Spatchcock chicken cooked slow over low coals.

Braaibroodjies: Grilled sandwiches made over the fire with cheese, tomato, onion, and chutney.

Sides: Potato bakes, fresh seafood, and sweet corn on the cob.

Every Fire Needs a Braai Master

The host is always the braaimaster in charge of building the fire and grilling the meat.

There’s a famous saying in South Africa: “Jy krap nie aan ‘n ander man se vuur nie.” It means “You don’t mess with another man’s fire!” So unless the braaimaster hands you the tongs, leave the wood alone.

If you watched South Africa with Gregg Wallace on ITV, you saw this passion firsthand. Gregg tried everything from skilpadjies (sheep liver wrapped in caul fat) to a rich kudu potjie stew cooked in a cast-iron pot.