Ultimate Braai Recipes for a Perfect Patio Summer

Summer is synonymous with sunshine, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of a braai. A covered patio is the perfect setting for your summer get togethers – a gathering place for great food and even better company. 

This summer, elevate your outdoor events with these mouthwatering braai recipes that will make your patio the go-to spot for unforgettable meals and moments. 

Tips for the Perfect Braai:

• Preparation is key: Marinate meats and prepare vegetables ahead of time to ensure everything cooks evenly and flavours develop fully.
• Maintain temperature: Keep a close eye on the grill temperature. High heat for searing and medium heat for slow cooking are both essential.
• Stay Hydrated: Keep plenty of cold beverages on hand.
• Embrace Variety: Don’t hesitate to mix and match these recipes or add your own twist to suit your taste.

King Brands summer braai menu: 

Starter: Boerewors Braai Pie

A perfect pull-apart and snack braai pie, bringing in some classic boerewors flavours, brought to us by Taste magazine.  

INGREDIENTS

• 1 roll phyllo pastry
• 500 g butter, melted
• 6 cups spinach, cooked and drained
• 500 g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 600 g feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 x 400 g chakalaka
• 500 g boerewors, cooked and sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare a braai with medium coals. Arrange a sheet of phyllo pastry on a hinged braai grid and brush with butter.
2. Add another 2 layers of pastry in the opposite direction. It’s important that it overlaps on both sides so you have enough pastry to fold over the filling.
3. Place half the spinach at the base of the pastry. Add the cheese, chakalaka and boerewors. Finish with the remaining spinach. Cover the filling with the overlapping pastry, brush with butter and close the grid.
4. When the fire is ready, brush the pastry with butter and place on the coals. Braai until the cheese has melted and the pastry is golden.

Mains: Argentine Steak – Recipe from: Cadac SA

INGREDIENTS

• 4 beef steaks
• 3 finely chopped garlic cloves
• ½ tsp crushed dried red pepper
• 2 tsp finely chopped oregano leaves 
• 2 tsp finely chopped thyme leaves
• 120 ml red wine vinegar
• 5 ½ tbsp lime juice
• 130 ml olive oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 3 tbsp finely chopped parsley
• Salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Pre-heat the braai grill to 180°C.
2. Remove steaks from the fridge and let them sit on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes to reach room temperature.
3. Together in a bowl add the following ingredients to create the Chimichurri sauce; Mix together the garlic, red peppers, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper and then add the red wine vinegar and lime juice. While beating firmly, add olive oil, parsley and the chopped red onion.
4. Rub half of the chimichurri sauce into both sides of the steaks.
5. Add fresh pepper to taste and grill the steaks until golden brown and slightly charred.
6. Serve immediately with the remainder of the Chimichurri sauce.

Side: Braai’d butternut from Braai.com

INGREDIENTS

• 1 x large butternut
• 1 x tbsp Olive oil
• 1 x tsp Origanum or Rosemary
• Salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Skin the butternut
2. Slice butternut into disks
3. Mix other ingredients together
4. Marinade the disks in mixture for 15 min (or leave to marinated overnight)
5. Braai the butternut till soft

Dessert: Banana and Nutella wraps

Anything with Nutella is bound to be delicious! These quick and easy dessert wraps are the perfect sweet ending to your braai. The original recipe can be found at https://braai.com/banana-and-nutella-wraps/

INGREDIENTS

• 6 white store-bought wraps  
• Nutella (or similar chocolate spread) 
• 6 peeled bananas (whole or sliced)

DIRECTIONS

1. Spread a layer of Nutella on each wrap, all the way to the edges to act as the glue to keep the wrap together.
2. Place a banana or banana slices on the edge of the Nutella-covered side of a wrap and roll once. Now tuck and fold the sides of the wrap to the inside at the ends of the banana so that the whole wrap is the width of the banana. Keep on rolling the banana tightly until you end up with something resembling a giant spring roll. Both ends will be closed, and the roll will be neat and tightly rolled. Prepare all 6 wraps this way.
3. Place the rolls on your grid and braai the wraps over medium heat. Use tongs to flip the rolls so that you braai them on all 4 sides. In total the braai should take about 8 minutes, depending on the heat of your coals, but please use your common sense as coals are not always normal after you’ve already had your main meal and returned to the braai area.
4. The wrap will be ready once the outside is crispy and toasted, and the banana on the inside is soft. Slice into halves and serve as you see fit. I usually see fit to serve them with vanilla ice cream.

Excessive sunshine or a light rain need not send you inside for shelter. All Seasons carefully engineered adjustable patio awnings give your patio that extra versatility, no matter the weather. With these braai recipes, your patio will be the place to be this summer. Light up the braai, invite your friends and family, and let the good times roll. Happy spring braaing South Africa!