South African Bobotie is a delightful dish filled with tender ground beef, spices and aromatics with an egg topping and served with a side cozy side of yellow rice and sultans (raisins). 
South African Bobotie: The Perfect comfort Food
One delicious bite of comfort food that you are just going to love because it is filling, warming, a little spicy, a little sweet and maybe nothing like you have ever tried before. South African Bobotie would be a delicious serve to your trick -or -treaters as it is warming, easy to make in advance and kids love it's tender texture.
I first published this recipe for South African Bobotie on March 1st, 2013 and have just updated it to make it dairy and gluten-free.
What is Bobotie?
A couple of years ago, I enjoyed my first delicious mouthful of a South African Bobotie and I am in forever in love with the flavors, spices, and creamy texture of this dish. Bobotie is a dish from South Africa, made of spiced meat and an egg topping.
What Sides are served with South African Bobotie?
Traditionally, bobotie would be served with sliced bananas, yellow rice with sultans (raisins) and of course Chutney.
South African cuisine is amazing as it has influences from all over the world and their dishes are a melting pot of spices and flavors. Traditionally, Bobotie is made with beef but also can be made with pork, mutton or lamb and then has curry, chutney, soaked bread to make it moist, sultans (raisins) and other seasonings that make you go back for seconds or maybe even thirds. (Wink...Wink)
What you crave when it is cold outside
I know that the combination of ingredients might not sound like what you are used to but you have to trust me on this. It works! Perfectly balanced in flavor, a little sweet, a little spice a little savory and the creamy and moist texture, especially on these cooler days makes this dish a winner. It is what your body craves. I think this little dish is some true comfort food!
Can you Freeze Bobotie?
Absolutely! This is one meal that makes a lot so eat one day and freeze for a day that is crazy busy and you want dinner in a flash. South African Bobotie is a great make ahead meal for Meal Prep Sunday. Actually, the longer the flavors have to mingle the more delicious it is. You will want to refrigerate your left overs up to 3 days and then can freeze up to 2 months in a freezer safe container and then just heat and eat in the microwave.
If we are going to freeze bobotie, we usually like to pre-slice it so we can take out as many servings as you need.
Gluten-free Alternatives for Bobotie
If you want to make this South African Bobotie recipe gluten free, use gluten free ketchup. If you are celiac, you are also going to want to make your own homemade fruit chutney or try another certified gluten-free chutney. I made Joy of Kosher Dried Apricot, Date and Ginger Chutney and swapped out coconut sugar for the granulated sugar and it was just beautiful. I even used just a little less sugar as you know how I do not like my things too sweet.
Even though Mrs. Balls Chutney does not specifically list any gluten in its ingredients list, it is not made in a gluten free factory. Mrs. Balls Original Chutney is a famous chutney used is South Africa and it is also available in Australia, Canada, Germany, UK and US.
Family Recipe
A dear friend of mine, Abbie Wilson, spent several years living in South Africa and this is her families' Bobotie recipe. Abbie's recipe is traditional but she does not include sultans (raisins) in her Bobotie dish. Abbie's family tradition is instead to serve the bobotie with yellow rice with sultans and spices on the side, desiccated coconut, chutney, roasted butternut squash and peas. Abbie garnished her Bobotie with some toasted coconut and bananas. You have no idea what you have been missing out on.
As you know, I love when dishes bring in elements from many cultures and blend it into one dish. Abbie mentioned as with any great little curry, sauce and such that the Bobotie is even better on the second day as the flavors have a chance to mingle. This concept is why this dish is just perfect for entertaining as you can make it the day before and pop it back in the oven and sit down with your guests and enjoy your gathering. A very special thank you to Abbie for sharing her delicious South African Bobotie recipe.
More Delicious Comfort Food Recipes
Roasted Chestnut Pumpkin Risotto
Tuscan Slow Braised Beef in Wine Sauce
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Curry
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South African Bobotie
(Abbie Wilson)
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (minced)
- 2 slices bread
white gluten-free, soaked in boiling water - 2 onions
medium, peeled and chopped - 1 tablespoon ketchup
(low glycemic) (gluten-free) - 5 tablespoon fruit chutney
(used Mrs. Balls original but if celiac you will need to use a gluten-free certified brand or make your own) - 4 teaspoon turmeric
dried ground - 2 tablespoon curry powder
dried ground - ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 whole bay leaf
- 1 egg
beaten - 1 cup almond milk
(can use regular milk if no dairy issues) - 1 tablespoon oil
- yellow rice with sultans and spices
optional - bananas for garnish (optional)
- desiccated coconut for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160 degrees C (Heat the oil and soften the onion on a very low flame for about 10 minutes.
- Add tumeric and curry and allow the flavors to mingle for about 2 minutes.
- Add chutney and gluten-free ketchup and cook for another minute.
- Strain water from gluten-free bread and add to pan, continue stirring.
- Add meat and stir lightly with a two pronged fork until evenly cooked. (Using the 2 fork pull apart method, makes the meat super tender)
- Add salt and bay leaves. Cook for a few minutes to allow the essence of the bay leaves to permeate the meat. Remove the bay leaves and discard.
- Place bobotie meat mixture into and greased ovenproof dish (9 in x 11 in)
- Make the Egg topping: a) Beat egg and milk together. b) Pour egg and milk mixture over the meat mixture and bake for about 45 minutes to 55 minutes or until the egg mixture is brown on top.
- Serve delicious cozy South African Bobotie with yellow rice, oven roasted butternut squash and peas on the side. Garnish Bobotie with desiccated coconut and bananas. Enjoy!
Balvinder says
And, I like that you added fruit chutney in it. So interesting!
Balvinder says
Hi Bobby, I didn' t know your comments were going in spam, I thought you just don't want to be friends. Thanks for prompting me to look into it and I found some comments as well. I have never heard of this dish and from your photo thought it is shepherd's pie but this look good one with meat and egg topping with no carbs.
Healthy World Cuisine says
I am sorry my comments have not been going through. I have been following along on your site but after I moved to a self hosted site many computers no longer recognized my IP address. Once my dear friends remove me out of spam and accept my comment this issue usually resolves. Thanks for looking for me and look forward to keeping in touch. This dish actually has bread in it but you could substitute a gluten free option or just leave out. Take care, BAM
Kathleen Richardson says
Definitely comfort food, BAM, and I only need purchase fruit chutney and turmeric. This brings to mind a shepherds pie and could be topped with mashed potatoes.
Healthy World Cuisine says
That is what I love about other foodies we all start thinking about the dishes and how fun it would be to make and to add our own little ideas and substitutions. This dish has all kinds of room to have fun with as there are like a million different versions out there so you just find what you like and go for it. I have not had a shepherds pie in ages and that sounds so good. Sending some warm thoughts your way. Take care, BAM
Kathleen Richardson says
Sending you a smile and a hug!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I needed that. Thanks, Kathleen and one heading your way too.
Kathleen Richardson says
One more, BAM--I made this today. DELICIOUS! Love the curry & turmeric--tasty, yet not overwhelming.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Awesome Kathleen, I am so happy to hear this. I hope you have left overs as it is even better the next day. Very interesting flavors, don't you think? What kind of fruit Chutney did you use? or did you omit? Love to hear about your experiences. Take Care, BAM
Eha says
Sorry BAM about having written so much yesterday: it's just this is one dish which has become such a firm favourite over the years and so easy to manage for a crowd. The leaves should be fresh [I pick them off the lemon tree just before the dish goes into the oven]: wash about 4-6 and stick them in a pattern half-way into the baking dish. It gives both taste and height to the dish. Have just looked up my book and it suggests fresh orange leaves or even a few dried bay leaves as a substitute!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Eha, this sounds beautiful. I know that the fresh leaves would really add something special to this dish. If I can find them here I will give your version a try, good to know about the bay leaves as substitute. Take care, BAM
Nazneen|Coffee and Crumpets says
I've heard of this dish and seen recipes for it...but never tried it. It looks like a great fusion dish!
Nazneen
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Nazeen, I was the same way I heard about it but never tried this dish(usually not something you see on a restaurant menu) and it really is something that is made with lots of home cooked love. I am so glad that my dear friend Abbie could share this dish with us. Take Care, BAM
Korena says
This does looks so warming and cozy, perfect for winter. I'm glad Abbie shared her recipe, too!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Korena, wishing you a super weekend. Take Care, BAM
Eva Taylor says
My friend Angela (who sadly doesn't blog) made this for us about 2 years ago and I was smitten! It's wonderful blend of flavours. I recall that she gave us a little doggy bag to take home and I put it into a glass microwavable dish. The next day, we popped it into the micro and bang, the stupid dish exploded! So disappointing, I was really looking forward to the flavours! I'll bookmark the recipe thanks for sharing.
BTW, I think you may have meant snow instead of slow in your first paragraph.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Eva, All the anticipation and then the explosion, bummer. Maybe you can give this version a try to make up for the microwave incident. I really enjoy the dimensions of flavors and spices in this dish...some severe comfort food. Thanks for catching my typo.. Take Care, BAM
Tandy says
What a lovely dish to introduce you to our cuisine. I don't like saltanas either so I make one dish without them for me, and one dish with them for Dave 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
I thought of you while we were making this dish. Do you have your version of this recipe posted on your site if so can you share your link? I wish I would have known about this dish sooner as it is so delicious.
Eha says
Absolutely thrilled to see this recipe on your post! Have been using bobotie as a very favourite buffet dish for more decades than I care to admit to: when first married and amidst the 'show off' dinner party circuit, this always brought acclaim! Actually my very favourite recipe comes from 'Time-Life Foods of the World' of the 1970 series including African cooking and I still use it on the many occasions during the year I cook the dish. Just out of interest [no value judgment whatsoever implied] I always DO use lamb, and heaps of lemon juice and a grated apple and definitely raisins; also chopped almonds. The main thing was to stick numerous lemon and orange leaves into the baking pan: looked great and gave taste! Methinks this is one of the original 'fusion' dishes in the world, and whereas one could not call it 'gourmet', it did and does taste absolutly fabulous 😀 !
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Eha your version sound really delicious too. I will just have to keep trying everyone's version and see which ones the boys like best. May I ask what do you mean by lemon and orange leaves? Do you find these fresh or dried? That sounds like a really nice addition to this dish. Have a lovely weekend. BAM
ChgoJohn says
Buona sera, BAM! Bobotie is certainly a new one on me but I do like the sound of it. It certainly looks delicious on the plate and Spring is still weeks away. That means there's plenty of time left for comfort food. I just might give it a try! Have a wonderful weekend!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Gratzie John! I heard that you guys were having sleet and miserable weather the other day in Michigan. I do not miss that at all. I think they need to fire that ground hog, as he is always wrong. Bobotie is a dish that will warm your heart and soul on even the cold and dreariest days in Michigan. Sending some warm thoughts your way. Chow, BAM
yummychunklet says
What a delicious and different dish! And, I love the use of chutney!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I do not cook a lot of dishes with chutney and I had no idea what I was missing out on. So very delicious. Have a super weekend. BAM
dianeskitchentable says
...and this is why I should never read your blog right before dinner when I'm starving. This looks so good I can almost taste it from here. I wonder if that Mrs. Balls chutney is available over here...I'll have to check that out. Sounds like the boys liked it.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Diane. I do not know if Mrs. Balls chutney is available internationally but you can exchange with any fruit chutney you like and have available in the markets near you. Have a super weekend. BAM
cravesadventure says
This looks delicious - YUM:) Happy Friday
Healthy World Cuisine says
Happy Friday to you too! I am sitting up straight at my desk after reading your post. Keep your reminders coming. Take care, BAM
sweetsimplestuff says
You did it again ... another new (to me anyway) dish! Bobotie sounds delicious and easy to make, thank you 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Brenda, this little bobotie dish was new to me too and I need to start exploring some more South African cuisine as it really is delicious. Have a super weekend. BAM
john@kitchenriffs says
This is so interesting! I've heard of Bobotie, but never eaten it nor seen a recipe for it. This looks like a fun dish! Definitely something I should try. Thanks so much.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello John, thank you for your comment. This a great little dish for a cozy gathering as it tastes even better the next day and you can enjoy your guests. I think we are on the same wave length as we are both on a comfort food kick. Take care, BAM