How to Make the Perfect Johannesburg Boerewors Roll
South African · Easy · 35 min · 4 servings
The boerewors roll is South Africa answer to the hot dog, featuring a coiled spiced sausage of beef and pork grilled over wood coals and served in a soft white roll smothered in caramelized onions and tomato relish. This iconic South African street food is found at every sports event, market, and street corner braai throughout the country.
Why this recipe works
This Johannesburg Boerewors Roll recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 510 calories with 22g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 600 grams boerewors sausage coiled
- 2 large onions thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons tomato and onion relish or chakalaka
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 whole soft white hot dog rolls
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Grill the Boerewors
Preheat a grill or cast iron pan to medium-high heat. Place the boerewors coil directly on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes per side with the lid closed if possible. Do not pierce the sausage as this releases the flavorful juices. The sausage is ready when it has deep char marks and is cooked through.
Step 2: Caramelize the Onions
While the sausage grills, heat oil in a pan over medium heat and add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt and the black pepper. Cook stirring occasionally for 15 to 18 minutes until the onions are deeply golden brown and sweet. Do not rush this step.
Step 3: Toast the Rolls
Slice the rolls open and place them cut-side down on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and lightly toasted. The toasting prevents the roll from becoming soggy and adds a pleasant texture contrast to the juicy sausage.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Coil a length of the grilled boerewors into each toasted roll. Top generously with the caramelized onions and spoon over a good dollop of tomato relish or chakalaka. Serve immediately with extra napkins as this is a beautifully messy street food experience.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- boerewors sausage → any coarse-ground beef and pork sausage seasoned with coriander and nutmeg as a reasonable approximation
- chakalaka relish → a simple tomato salsa with diced onion and chili works well if chakalaka is not available
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Piercing the sausage skin before or during cooking which causes all the precious spiced fat to drip out
- Rushing the onion caramelization and cooking on high heat which produces bitter burned onions instead of sweet golden ones
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 510 calories, 22g protein, 38g carbs, 28g fat, 3g fiber.
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