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Easy South African Bobotie Recipe: Simple Ground Beef Family Dinner

A family-friendly, simplified version of South African bobotie made with seasoned ground beef, a hint of fruit chutney, and a creamy baked egg topping. Serve it with yellow rice, plain rice, green beans, or a simple salad.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 15 mL
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups or 225 g)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef 85% to 90% lean (900 g)
  • 2 teaspoons mild curry powder 4 g
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 3 g
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 6 g, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 g
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 0.5 g
  • 1/4 cup apricot preserves or mango chutney 60 mL or 80 g
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 30 mL
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 15 mL
  • 1/3 cup raisins optional (50 g)
  • 1 slice sandwich bread torn into small pieces (about 1 ounce or 28 g)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk divided (120 mL)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or a 3-quart casserole dish.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook for 7 to 9 minutes, until no pink meat remains. Carefully drain off excess fat if needed.
  • Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, salt, pepper, cinnamon, apricot preserves or chutney, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and raisins, if using. Cook for 1 minute so the seasonings become fragrant.
  • Place the torn bread in a small bowl and pour 1/4 cup (60 mL) of the milk over it. Let it stand for 2 minutes, then mash it with a fork. Stir the soaked bread and any remaining milk into the beef mixture. Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  • In the same small bowl, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup (60 mL) milk with the eggs until smooth. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the beef. Lay the bay leaves on top.
  • Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is set and the center of the meat mixture reaches 160°F (71°C). Let the bobotie stand for 5 to 10 minutes before removing the bay leaves and serving.