Bobotie

65 min (incl. resting)medium5 original servings
A beloved Cape Malay classic made with 500 g beef mince, warm spices, chutney and apricot jam, topped with a silky baked egg custard. No raisins.

Ingredients

Serves

Main

  • 500 g beef mince
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 30 ml sunflower oil or butter
  • 1 thick slice white bread
  • 250 ml milk
  • 15 ml mild curry powder (Rajah mild or medium)
  • 5 ml turmeric
  • 5 ml ground cumin
  • 2 ml ground coriander
  • 15 ml chutney (Mrs Ball's)
  • 15 ml smooth apricot jam
  • 15 ml white wine vinegar or lemon juice
  • 5 ml salt
  • black pepper to taste
  • 30 g flaked almonds (optional)
  • 3 bay leaves or 6 lemon leaves

Topping

  • 2 large eggs
  • 200 ml milk (reserved from soaking the bread)
  • pinch of salt and turmeric

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 180°C.

  2. 2

    Soak the bread in the milk in a bowl. Set aside.

  3. 3

    Heat oil in a large pan, fry onion until soft and golden, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, curry powder, turmeric, cumin and coriander. Fry 1 minute until fragrant.

  4. 4

    Add the mince and brown it, breaking up the lumps. Cook until no pink remains.

  5. 5

    Squeeze the milk out of the bread (keep the milk for the topping). Crumble the bread into the mince.

  6. 6

    Stir in chutney, apricot jam, vinegar, salt, pepper, and almonds if using. Taste and adjust.

  7. 7

    Pack the mixture into a greased ovenproof dish (about 25 x 18 cm). Press flat. Stick the bay leaves upright into the top.

  8. 8

    Whisk the eggs with the reserved milk, salt and a pinch of turmeric. Pour gently over the mince.

  9. 9

    Bake 35–40 minutes until the custard is set and golden. If it browns too fast, cover loosely with foil.

  10. 10

    Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes & Tips

Serving suggestion

Scoop the bobotie over the geelrys with extra Mrs Ball's on the side. Sliced banana and desiccated coconut on top is the classic finish.

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