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!
hotlyspiced says
I'm not very familiar with South African cuisine so thanks for introducing me to one of their dishes. I did spend a few weeks in SA but we ate mostly curries and bries. This looks like a great family dish with lots of yummy flavours xx
Eha says
Charlie - if you ate South African food for a fortnight, you are 99% certain to have had bobotie 🙂 ! It is the national dish of the country and the main meat curry [of the Cape Malay type]. Make it and it will bring back a memory. And methinks with the Dutch, Indian, Chinese, Malaysian and Indonesian influences in additional to 'home cooking' their braais tend to be more exciting than our barbecues that were [times thankfully have changed 🙂 !]
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I had this dish once at a friend's house and he pooh poohed the dish as being 'down market' and 'rustic' and peasant food. I LOVED it. His recipe is similar to your friend's. What a comforting meal.
Culinary Flavors says
This dish looks like something I would very much enjoy Bobbi! I love the filling and the outer part! Pinned and shared around!
The Foodie Affair says
This dish looks scrumptious and so interesting! I've never had Bobotie or South African food for that matter! I'm going to have to give this a try!
Fine Dining at Home (@fdathome) says
Hey Bam, have you made this one especially for me? I've just made a litre of almond milk tonight, mainly for hot chocolate though! I love Bobotie, but my wife's hatred of sultanas prevents me from making it too often. It's such a bizarre combination, especially with the bananas on the side, but it's a national dish for one reason. It tastes amazing.
Zirkie says
I am South African and bobotie is my son's favourite dish! I absolutely love your version and it looks VERY pretty!
Eha says
Dear Bobbi - decided to 'side-hop' my current blog hiatus for five minutes as this has been such a steady favourite for over three decades of entertaining - then laughingly found I had commented not once but twice in 2013 !!! Still make it at least once a month and, for those who are not familiar with the very interesting fusion South African cooking - to my way of thinking [and I have dozens of recipes for the dish] the grated apple, slivered almonds, cumin and coriander I have spoken about added to a good curry powder and fresh lemon leaves stuck into the baking dish are kind'of 'mandatory' for me 🙂 !! A wonderful buffet dish - but I do use lamb always . . .
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hi there dear Eha, so glad you like this dish too and again... LOL. I like your idea to use lamb and if was not so expensive in Hong Kong, I would love to try it instead of beef with the grated apple, almonds, cumin and coriander. That is some seriously delicious dish. I know if someone has not tried the dish and they read the list of ingredients they kind of look at you like you have 2 heads but really it is so delicious and nothing like many have tried before. My favorite part about this dish is that it tastes even better the next day so super for entertaining or just lunch the next day. I am wishing you a happy day and that each day you are getting stronger.
Kathleen | HapaNomNom says
Wow! This looks wonderful, Bobbi! I love African food, but I've never had or even heard of this dish. Thank you for posting this and offering a little insight to the dish as well 🙂
shashi at runninsrilankan says
When I first saw this, I thought this was a variation of a shepherd's pie - but then in reading more I must say I am so intrigued! I've never had Bobotie before and the combo of the fruit chutney and the spices is making me drool! Delicious Bobbi!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Absolutely loving this South African Bobotie. This is indeed delightful. So YUM!
John/KitchenRiffs says
Love you update of this dish! I have this on my list of things to make, and really am glad you've devised this GF version -- I'd love to serve this to someone who just can't tolerate gluten. Thanks!
allthatsjas says
I have to admit, seeing peas and bananas on the same plate threw me off a bit, but reading the recipe convinced me that this dish is as tasty as it looks. Must try! Pinning. Have a great week, Bobbi!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
Wow - what an intriguing looking dish this is! I'm pinning to try for sure because it sounds and looks so good and very different!
{Main St. Cuisine} says
I had never heard of this dish before, but it sounds wonderful and I love these types of flavors. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Allison, it is one of those kind of easy comfort dishes perfect for cold weather.
Fine Dining at Home (@fdathome) says
This is actually my favourite version of a shepherds/cottage pie. Absolutely love it and while its still freezing in the UK I may rustle one up next week.
Love the new blog layout btw. Looks remarkably similar to something else, can't quite put my finger on it? Great minds think alike!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Dave, this is some severe comfort food and the UK is just the place to find every different type of fruit chutney known to man. Yes we have a remarkably similar layout... LOL... yours is stunning! Great minds think alike. I just moved over to this theme about a month ago and still working on getting it the way I want it. It is a work in progress. Take Care, BAM