Bobotie is South Africa’s famously delicious meat pie. It’s basically the best meatloaf ever, curried ground lamb and beef topped with savory egg custard. A little decadent. Totally delicious. Worthy of a special occasion.
I learned about bobotie at a dinner party hosted by my sister-in-law Jen. She introduced me to friends of hers from South Africa - Adine and Shelley. Our conversation quickly turned to food (of course) and before long they had me drooling and asking for their emails so we could continue to talk food and share recipes.
We chatted about the homemade sausages they had recently made. I was impressed, never having made sausages from scratch. Then they described a meaty pie with custard on top called Bobotie. They said it's a very popular dish that's unique to South Africa and utterly delicious. I was sold. I promise to get the sausage recipe too, but for now I bring you this Bobotie recipe.
Bobotie is a national dish of South Africa. It resembles the Brit's Shepherd's Pie and the Greek's Moussaka.
One thing that sets bobotie apart from the others is the richly flavored meat. Ground lamb and beef are mixed with shredded apples, carrots, fruit chutney or preserves and wonderful curry spices. It is an intoxicating combination and it's topped off with rich savory custard!
HOW TO MAKE BOBOTIE:
Cut white bread into small cubes and soak in milk.
While the bread is soaking, measure all of your spices into a small bowl.
Next, sauté lots of onions and garlic until tender. Add spices and toast them a bit with the onions and garlic.
Mix everything together in a big bowl: the onions, garlic, spices, milk-soaked bread, lamb, beef, shredded carrots, shredded apples, apricot preserves, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Press the mixture into a casserole dish and bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes. Now it's time to add the custard and return the casserole to the oven.
I had to get creative with this step. Meat plus custard is a rich combo and I was determined to lighten up the recipe. My goal was to pour off the rendered fat once the meat had cooked for a while. The problem was, the meat shrank so much after cooking, that when I poured the custard on, it pooled around the meat instead of on top.
I solved the problem by removing the bobotie from the oven one third of the way through the cooking process. At this point you can pour off the rendered fat. The meat will have shrunk away from the side of the pan, but it's still tender enough that you can press down on the meatloaf to spread it out until it fills the pan, making nice platform for the custard.
Then tuck the bay leave in, pour the custard on top, and return the bobotie to the oven for another 50 minutes to an hour.
Cut Bobotie into squares and serve it while it's still warm from the oven.
Bobotie originated in the Cape Malay community on the western cape of South Africa. In 1652 Dutch ships brought slaves from southeast Asia (modern day Indonesia) to work for the Dutch East India Company - a big trading company that was using Cape Town as the resupply station for shipping between Europe and Asia. These slaves are credited with shaping the local food culture with the interesting spices and cooking techniques they brought with them from home.
Next time you're craving meatloaf, you might want to try bobotie instead. It's that same kind of irresistible comfort but with lots of added excitement.
There is one thing about Bobotie that I should warn you about that was a problem for me - I couldn't stop eating it. Lost all my resolve about moderation and portion control. But it's a worthwhile splurge!
Here's the Bobotie Recipe. If you make this I hope you'll come back to leave a star rating and a comment. I'd love to know what you think.
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Bobotie: South African Meatloaf
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 8-10 1x
Description
South Africa's amazing meatloaf, deliciously spiced, with savory custard topping.
Adapted from a recipe in the cookbook Cook With Ina Paarman
Ingredients
For The Bread:
- 3 slices white bread, crusts removed, roughly chopped or pulled into small pieces
- 1 cup low fat milk
For The Dried Spices
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 2 teaspoons turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of cayenne pepper
For The Onions and Garlic:
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 onions, halved and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
Other Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large or 2 medium carrots, grated (about 1 cup)
- 1 granny smith apple, peeled, cored, and grated
- ⅓ cup golden raisins (optional)
- 3 tablespoons apricot preserves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 5 bay leaves
For The Custard:
- 1 ½ cups Buttermilk
- 3 eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pinch of pepper
optional topping:
- toasted slivered almonds
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350ºF
- Soak the Bread: Put chopped bread into a small shallow bowl and pour milk on top. Press bread into milk and set aside.
- Measure out the Dried spices: Combine all the dried spices in a small bowl: curry, coriander, ginger, thyme, turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne.
- Cook Onions, Garlic and Spices: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet. Sauté onions on medium low heat for 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add all the spices and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove skillet from the heat. Add a tablespoon or two of water if the spices are sticking to the bottom of the pan. Scrape the onion mixture into a large bowl and and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Add The Meat Mixture: Gently squeeze most of the milk from the bread and add the bread to the bowl with the onions. (leftover milk won't be used for this recipe) Add the lamb, beef, carrots, apple, raisins (optional), apricot preserves, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix everything together (best to use your hands) until just combined. Press mixture evenly into a 2-3 quart casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, uncovered.
- Assemble Custard Ingredients: A few minutes before your oven timer goes off, get all the custard ingredients into a bowl: buttermilk, eggs, salt and pepper.
- Remove casserole from oven, leaving the oven on. Carefully pour off fat that has rendered. The meat load will have shrunken and pulled away form the sides of the casserole. Using the back of a spatula, press the meat down so it expands to touch the sides of the casserole. Insert the bay leaves evenly across surface (slit meat with a knife if necessary), tucking them halfway in so they flavor the meat but are still visible for easy removal before serving.
- Add The Custard: Beat the custard ingredients until smooth and pour evenly over the meat. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 50 minutes to an hour, or until the custard is set and starting to brown.
- Serve hot with rice or sweet potatoes. Top with toasted almonds, if you like. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Category: Main course, comfort food
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: South African
Keywords: South African meatloaf, Meat loaf with custard on top
biltong shop
Thank you for this article! This is really very informative for us. I agree with you totally. Thanks for this wonderful content. It gives some true and insightful information on best bobotie. Great blog to share!!
CTWhite
In COVID19 quarantine and found your recipe because of what I had in my quarantine larder/ pantry. Your recipe was very accurate and produced a delightful and consistent outcome even with the adjustments, substitutions and additions I was forced by circumstance to make. Thank you.
Lisa
i'm so glad the recipe worked out well for you even with limited supplies. It's a great time to cook delicious comforting dishes. I hope you are well and staying safe. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Beth
Can you make this ahead of time, like one or two days and then reheat?
Lisa
Yes Beth. To reheat, let is sit at room temp for 1/2 hour or so. Cover the casserole with foil and heat it at 325ºF for about 30 minutes or until it's heated through.
Jim
I have used your Bobotie recipe three times now, and each time the dish came out picture perfect and tasting fabulous. It was so good that I made it for Christmas dinner...it was the first thing gobbled up! Thank you. I'm looking forward to more of your cooking!
Lisa
Hi Jim, I'm so glad you're enjoying the Bobotie! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment.
Nic
This recipe rocks! I would love to see more South African recipes here, they remind me of my time abroad 🙂
★★★★★
David Scott
Hi Lisa
I am a South African , born and bred in the Cape where Bobotie originated . My version has more or less the same ingredients, however how I prepare it is different. And this is the reason why I am responding to you on version regarding the oil surfacing to the egg mixture during the cooking process .Here goes : I brown my mince for 10 to 15 minutes in frying pan ( no oil in pan ) then I drain it in a colander . I add onion to the pan and fry until soft., then adding the garlic , fry for a minute and then all the spices , adding little water to prevent burning , then add the mince , then lemon and apricot jam ( yes jam , 2 x tablespoons ) and vinegar , then the soaked bread , stir in and then into casserole dish with egg topping etc
Lisa
Thank you for this David. Your method sounds great!
Merle
I have been making Bobotie for sixty years and have used the same recipe for 37 of those years! After reading your recipe, I now have to try your one for a change! My recipe which is from Lynn Bedford Hall's "More Food with More Flair" doesn't have your apple or carrot but 25ml chutney and 12.5ml Worcester sauce. She also adds turmeric to her custard. I have always found her recipe to be exceptionally moist unlike other boboties I have been served which are often on the dry side. I have always puts this down to the fact that she stipulates that the bobotie should be baked in a water bath.
I love your blog and wish you a very happy year in England
Sol
I love bobotie! Other recipes you should look up (in addition to bunny chow and boerewors) are milk tart and the utterly fabulous koeksisters (cookies soaked in syrup).
Tamara
You should try the bunny chow next!
Lisa Goldfinger
I just Googled bunny chow and you're right! I should try it - sounds fun and delicious!! I'm going to test it out and see about sharing it here on the blog. Thanks Tamara!
Rebecca
Your blog is amazing! I just stumbled across it looking for various different ethnic recipes and i must say that i am sooooo impressed with the information/pictures and recipes 🙂 I also love your tips/hints!
Margaret
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There's a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
Lisa Goldfinger
Sure!
Tybie
OMG!!! Just made this!!! I cannot believe how amazing it is!! Move over meatloaf!
You're right, Lisa, I could eat the whole pan, but my kids are coming for dinner, so I'll exercise some self control! THANK YOU!!!!
Lisa Goldfinger
🙂
shelley
Wow ... I am impressed . Looks as delicious as I am sure it must have tasted. We will make a South African out of you for sure.. Go Bokke !
Margie
Ok, This is definitely on the menu for dinner with friends on Sunday night. Thank you.
Just the sort of food and spice combinations I love. Margie
Diane Sakakini-Rao
Lis, this sounds really delicious. I'm going to try it. Your photos are really beautiful, too.
Di
Belinda
And don't forget to eat it South African style - with a generous helping of fruity chutney! Mmm. Can't wait for you to make boerewors 🙂 xo
Barbara Joseph
This sounds crazy good! Thanks for finding and sharing!
jennifer
Thanks for posting Lisa. Looks yummy!