Step 1 of 6
Bobotie
Heat the oven to 180 °C. Soak the bread in 100 ml of milk. Melt the butter in a wide pan and soften the onion and garlic for 8 minutes without colouring.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Bobotie take?
1 hr 25 min all in — 25 min prep, 1 hr cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 6 people. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Milk, Eggs, Tree nuts. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Is the published recipe vegetarian or vegan?
It is not labelled vegetarian or vegan. If a swap on this page says otherwise, that note is the limit of what we claim.
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What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Frying pan, Oven, Baking tray, Mixing bowl.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1½ tsp.
How much vinegar?
1 tbsp (or lemon juice) of Vinegar.
How much sugar?
1 tsp of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Apricot jam → Fruit chutney. Many families use chutney instead; add a little less vinegar. White bread → 60 g fresh breadcrumbs. Same job: it keeps the mince tender.
Any tips from this recipe?
Lamb mince is common at the Cape and makes a richer dish. Mix half and half if you like. Rest the bobotie 10 minutes before cutting or the custard slides off the mince. Mrs Ball's chutney is the South African accompaniment. Any fruity mango chutney stands in.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.