Heritage Day is a lot about eating and more specifically, braaing. While this is something we are definitely okay with, sometimes a braai is just not the order of the day – gasp, shock, horror! The truth is that there is more to our food heritage than grilled meat, so we’ve rounded up our favourite South African Heritage Day recipes that celebrate flavours that go beyond the grid.
Local Classics with a Twist
From pap and chakalaka to biryani, this is local food at its finest!
Pork Rib Kota
Stuffed with pulled pork, cheddar, slap chips and a jammy fried egg, this Kota didn’t just go to private school, it’s in a class of its own!
Bobotie Pork Pot Pies
Two classics come together, bobotie and pies, for a celebration of local flavours.
Recipe for Bobotie Pork Pot Pies
Umngqusho with Smoky Pork
Hearty and steeped with gravy, it doesn’t get more comforting than this local favourite. This is the ultimate Heritage Day recipe.
Recipe for Umngqusho with Smoky Pork
Cheesy Bobotie Jaffles
A bazaar favourite reimagined. These delicious jaffles are filled with bobotie mince and cheesy goodness, making them irrestible.
Recipe for Cheesy Bobotie Jaffles
Biltong, Caramelised Onion & Blue Cheese Tartlets
South Africa’s favourite snack as a tasty tart.
Recipe for Biltong, Caramelised Onion & Blue Cheese Tartlets
Lamb Shank Potjie Pies
A show-stopping dish that celebrates the slow-cooked and comforting flavours of lamb potjiekos in single servings.
Recipe for Lamb Shank Potjie Pies
Wagyu Beef Short Rib Ragù with Pap & Spicy Tomato Smoor
The quintessential South African heritage recipe obviously includes pap and ‘bisto.’ The wagyu beef short ragù is simply delicious.
Recipe for Beef Short Rib Ragù with Pap & Spicy Tomato Smoor
Pork Loin Chops with Monkey Gland Sauce
These pork chops smothered in Monkey Gland Sauce, will give Spur a run for their money.
Recipe for Thick Cut Pork Loin Chops with Monkey Gland Sauce
Curried Fish & Chips with Raita-style Tartar
Why travel all the way to Hout Bay when you can make satisfying hake at home?
Recipe for Curried Fish & Chips with Raita-style Tartar Sauce
Kingklip with Sorghum Salad & Dumplings
After trying this dish, you won’t want to eat kingklip any other way! The sorghum salad is the perfect complement to this deliciously curried fish.
Recipe for Curried Kingklip with Sorghum Salad & Dumplings
Easy Chicken Biryani
Everyone’s mom makes the best biryani, but have you tried our version?
Recipe for Easy Chicken Biryani
Beef Meatball & Tomato Bredie
Is there anything more comforting than a good tamatie bredie? This beefy meatball and herby pap combo definitely hits the spot!
Recipe for Beef Meatball & Tomato Bredie
Peri Peri Chicken Liver Gatsby
The Gatsby couldn’t be more South African if it tried. What other nation would sandwich chips, hot sauce and an array of meats together? This version uses peri peri chicken livers.
Recipe for Chicken Liver Peri Peri Gatsby
The Ultimate Cape Malay Bobotie
This mildly curried mince dish is a classic for a reason.
Recipe for The Ultimate Cape Malay Bobotie
3 Cheese Pap Tart
Pap is a comforting classic that raised many. This indulgent version combines layers of relish, buttery pap and a delicious trifecta of mozzarella, cheddar and Parmesan.
Samp and Beans with Lamb Cutlets and Chakalaka
Umngqusho (samp and beans) with tender lamb and spicy chakalaka — this combination has nothing but pure flavour!
Recipe for Samp & Beans with Lamb Cutlets and Chakalaka
Beetroot Quinoa Salad with Butternut, Feta and Rocket
A local favourite that’s always on the Sunday lunch table or served alongside mains at weekend braais. The quinoa makes it even heartier.
Recipe for Beetroot Quinoa Salad with Butternut, Feta and Rocket
Mini Curried Mince Vetkoek
Deep-fried dough filled with curried mince? Yes, please!
Recipe for Mini Vetkoek & Curried Mince
Chicken Korma Curry Bunny Chows
Quintessentially Durban, the bunny chow is a firm local fave. Is there anything better than a spicy curry nestled into a soft loaf of bread? We think not!
Recipe for Chicken Korma Curry Bunny Chows
Boerewors Bobotie
We’ve given the Cape Malay classic dish, bobotie, a unique twist by using boerewors instead of regular mince to bolster the flavour. Serve with yellow rice for the ultimate pairing.
Easy Mealie Bread with Avocado Oil
The perfect Heritage Day bread! A true South African favourite and a popular side dish.
Recipe for Mealie Bread With Avocado Oil
Mustard Cream Vertical Potato Bake
This cheesy, bitey and textural Mustard Cream Potato Bake is everything you’ve ever needed and more. A crunchy top and creamy bottom, mixed with a generous handful of grated mature cheddar, really takes this bake to tasty heights. Perfect for Heritage Day!
Recipe for Mustard Cream Vertical Potato Bake
South African Desserts
We have yet to meet a South African that doesn’t have a sweet tooth.
Naartjie, Thyme & Marigold Cake with Walnut Praline
This naartjie and marigold cake is everything and more. This is the ultimate teatime recipe.
Recipe for Naartjie, Thyme & Marigold Cake with Walnut Praline
Souskluitjies
Dumplings soaked in cinnamon, star anise and orange zest-infused syrup and drenched in creamy vanilla custard – doesn’t that sound absolutely delicious?
Amagwinya with Chocolate Crème Pâtissière & Cherries
Next time you make amagwinya, you should try this choc and cherry take for the ultimate sweet treat.
Recipe for Amagwinya with Chocolate Crème Pâtissière & Cherries
Traditional Koeksisters
This Cape Dutch treat is so sweet and delicious, you won’t be able to stop at just one.
Recipe for Traditional Koeksisters
Pampoenkoekies with Stroop
Everything you love about this teatime classic, in dessert form. These cinnamony, pumpkin ‘flapjacks’ are topped with syrup, candied pecans and mascarpone. Yum!
Recipe for Pampoenkoekies with Stroop
Deep Dish Condensed Milk Tart
Now, we’re not saying that the humble milk tart needs to be fancier. It is perfect as is, but the addition of coconut and sinful condensed milk takes it to a whole new level.
Recipe for Deep Dish Condensed Milk Tart
Toasted Almond Boeber Ice Cream
Boeber, the sweet and creamy vermicelli dessert, gets all gussied in this recipe. All flavour notes of this traditional dessert in this ice cream reminds us of why we love boeber.
Recipe for Toasted Almond Boeber Ice Cream
Peppermint Crisp Cake
This iconic dessert needs no introduction. With all the components of your favourite fridge tart, this grown-up cake version still retains all of your childhood nostalgia.
Recipe for Peppermint Crisp Cake
Tant’ Sannie se Melktert Mousse Cookie Cups
We gave this classic a bit of an upgrade, with these nutty, chocolaty cookie cups filled with an airy, liqueur-infused mousse.
Recipe for Melktert Mousse Cookie Cups
Mini Malva Puddings
The perfect bite-sized Heritage Day treat! A favourite South African dessert in mini form.
Recipe for Mini Malva Puddings
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