Braai Day
Celebrate National Heritage Day with a Plant-Based Braai
Sunday 24 September is our national Heritage Day in South Africa – and almost everyone will head outdoors, get the fires going and engage in one of our favourite pastimes – having a braai!
Though meat may be the center-piece on many South African tables; there are plenty of plant-based options available for people looking to embrace a healthier and more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Even if you don’t usually opt for plant-based products, there will almost certainly be someone at your feast who would prefer it; and if you’re trying it for the first time you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Having a Plant-Based Braai is so easy!
Now more than ever we have incredible and delicious plant-based meat analogues available to try in South Africa.
To get you started consult our guide for 10 Plant-Based Braai Day Recipes. All the classics from burgers to salads and sauces are included.
Try a Plant-Based Meat Alternative
Apart from the usual chicken, beef or lamb products that you may be used to, there are many wonderful alternatives to sample. Meat replacements or analogues (as they’re often referred to) are products that offer a similar taste or texture to that of animal equivalents – yet are derived from plant-based sources.
Soy, chickpeas, lentils, beans and vegetables are typical ingredients that are rendered and flavoured in a way that most people would be familiar with: a burger patty, sausages, and schnitzels etc., replacing whichever animal-based protein would have otherwise been featured.
Using meat alternatives for your braai is in no way more complicated – it’s an easy option and in fact these tend to be more convenient since they cook faster than animal products.
With all the incredible plant-based products on the market today; you definitely don’t need to sacrifice taste or enjoyment when opting for these on the grill instead of meat!
These are some of our top vegan picks for this Heritage Month:
From Urban Vegan:
Some of the tastiest plant-based alternatives available today come from Urban Vegan, and in convenient braai-ready form.
Honourable Mentions:
Chik’n Burger
From Lilah’s Kitchen:
Great products to try on your braai, and especially healthy since these are made from vegetables, beans and legumes instead of being as processed as other meat alternatives.
Veggiewors Mild Chilli Burgers
Veggiewors Traditional Sausages
Honourable Mentions:
Veggiewors Traditional Burgers
From the Fry Family Food Co.:
One of South Africa’s most ubiquitous, recognised and trusted brands in the plant-based food space. No braai is complete without some Fry’s options.
Honourable Mentions:
From Wellness Warehouse:
Wellness Warehouse has some delicious options and sides for those of a vegan persuasion.
Chickpea Burger Premix Original 200g
From Earthshine:
What would a braai be without snacks? From bacon to droëwors, Earthshine has a healthy plant-based alternative.
Honourable Mentions:
From Outcast Foods:
Whether buckwheat or falafel, Outcast Foods have what you need.
From Pesto Princess:
Any good burger needs a great sauce, whether a spicy harissa or a classic pesto.
From Culture Lab Kombucha:
Stay hydrated on your braai day with some gut-friendly refreshments.
From Burger King SA:
Special Mention: If you’re late to the table in getting your braai together, or just need a few easy extras to add to your menu, nothing could be simpler than getting some plant-based Whoppers, vegan Royales or the vegan nuggets from Burger King.
Hosting a plant-based braai in South Africa couldn’t be any easier with all of the options available today.
When you think of all the accompaniments and sides that are featured as past of the typical braai – the ‘Braaibroodjies’, roasted vegetables, salads, cooked squashes etc., then almost any braai is well on its way to being plant-based: it’s just a matter of switching out the meat.
Review some of our past posts for more ideas:
A Meat Lover’s Guide to a Vegan Braai
Try Plant-Based Meat Replacements on Braai Day
