Question, have you been to a braai where the invite only states ‘chops & dop’? The setup is the same, from Pretoria, Phalaborwa to the West Coast. Everyone always brings a little more than what they plan on eating - resulting in a massive silver roasting tray filled to the brim with meat.

The get together can go one of two ways; either you eat at a reasonable time, or you don’t. If you’re part of the latter, then the men probably added another log to the fire – nightmare! We have the solution, one that’s not new or revolutionary. But one that really should be made more often. A braai tapas platter!

What is a braai tapas platter?

A braai tapas platter or a traditional ‘plankie braai’ as you would say in Afrikaans, refers to braaiing everyone’s meat at once. As it’s ready, slicing in pieces and serving it on a wooden plate immediately from the fire. There are many occasions that platters really are the best option to go for, cheese boards, mezze platters, finger foods, tapas, etc. It’s the art of arranging different pieces of food on a platter or wooden board for everyone to share.

How to make your first braai tapas platter

You need a good game plan before you start. A structure to your platter so everyone’s taste buds are tingling, and bellies satisfied. We promise, with this recipe to success, you can make any platter in any theme a hit!

Master the platter structure

  • Protein: Choose 2-3 proteins.
  • Fruit and vegetables: Choose 2 of each, depending on the course of your platter.
  • Cheese: Choose 3 different cheeses, a combination of soft and hard cheese. 
  • Pickles: Choose 3 pickles like gherkins, olives, artichokes, peppadews, etc.
  • Sauces or dips: Choose 2 sauces to compliment your protein or cheese.
  • Starch: Choose 2 starches.
Our braai tapas game plan

Give it a theme

Choose a theme. It is important to place complimentary ingredients together for the flavours to infuse. Imagine putting a hummus dip right next to your braaied chocolate-filled puff pastry jaffle pieces. You don’t want one ingredient to mash with another and make it unappetizing.

Choose a country. Different countries and cultures have very distinct flavour profiles. From Greek inspired tzatziki, falafel, olives, pita bread and small meatballs. Mediterranean inspired hummus and baba ganoush, yoghurt dips, flat bread, feta, and lamb skewers. Mexican inspired braaied tacos, jalapeno poppers, bite-size quesadillas, guacamole dip, tortilla chips, charred corn ribs and mini burritos.

Choose a course. Decide beforehand if you’re serving your braai tapas platter as an appetizer, main or dessert. The course can determine the amount of food, as well as the type of food on your platter. An appetizer should be something light, just a little nibble. If your platter is for mains, include bigger pieces of meat and a dessert platter can be anything from dessert braai pie pieces, to braaied peaches or even a brownie baked on the braai.  

Determine the serving size

Serving size can be a question mark. You don’t want your platter to run out before your guests are full, and you also don’t want to waste food. Our rule of thumb is to plan a portion per person, and then cut up that amount into strips or bite size pieces. For example, the average person will eat 1 pita with filling. For a platter for 4 people, 4-5 pitas will be enough.

Our top braai tapas platter menus

We’ve compiled four platter menus for you to try out. Familiar flavour combinations for each course. Try it out yourself. Get creative, not much that can go wrong with a Braai Tapas Platter!

Appetizer braai tapas platter

Skip the chips, instant sour cream dips, and peanuts for a hearty braai starter. Inspired by braai as you know it, to tickle the taste buds for the mains. Remember, this is the starter so keep it light and small bite size pieces. You don’t want everyone full after starters with no more room for the main meal.

  • Serves: 4
  • Course: Starters
Appetizer braai tapas platter
 

Type

Selection of

Quantity

Ingredient suggestions

Protein

3

100g per person

Beef or pork rashers, oepsies or thin boerewors cut into bite size pieces.

Vegetables

2

½ cup per person

Julienne carrots or braaied sweet potato fries.

Fruit

2

2-3 chunks per person

Chunks of pineapple, triangles of watermelon or dried apricots or peaches.

Cheese

3

½ cup per person of each

Cream cheese, cubes of cheddar and camembert.

Pickles

3

¼ cup per person of each

Peppadews, cocktail onions or pickled ginger.

Sauces or dips

2

1 cup of each

Sweet chilli, spicey mayo or chilli oil. 

Starch

2

3 hot dog rolls/ half baguettes

Crostini

 

Mediterranean braai tapas platter

Inspired by flavours of Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey just to name a few. Our Mediterranean menu celebrates warm spices like cumin, paprika and black pepper with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano.

  • Serves: 4
  • Course: Main meal
Mediterranean braai tapas platter
 

Type

Selection of

Quantity

Ingredient suggestions

Protein

3

150-200g per person

Chicken breast, beef koftas and Dijon mustard spiced steak strips.

Vegetables

2

½ cup per person

Fresh red peppers, cherry tomatoes or braaied mushrooms.

Fruit

2

½ cup per person

Red grapes or fresh figs

Cheese

3

½ cup per person of each

Feta cheese, soft goat cheese and gouda

Pickles

3

¼ cup per person of each

Gherkins, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, or olives

Sauces or dips

2

200g of each (usually the size of a store-bought tub)

Hummus and fresh tzatziki.

Starch

2

5 breads

Pita bread or flat bread toasted on the braai, cut into strips or triangles.

 

 TRADITIONAL BRAAI TAPAS PLATTER

Braai as you know it, in bite sized pieces. Make everything you would normally make for your favourite braai, slice it up and place it on one platter.

  • Serves: 4
  • Course: Main meal
TRADITIONAL BRAAI TAPAS PLATTER
 

Type

Selection of

Quantity

Ingredient suggestions

Protein

3

150-200g per person

Medium rare rump strips, boerewors in bitesize pieces, chicken wings or ribs.

Vegetables

2

½ cup per person

Roasted red pepper or ¼ charred corn or corn ribs.

Fruit

2

½ cup per person

Melon cubes or green grapes.

Cheese

3

½ cup per person of each

Gouda in cubes, brie and pepper crusted cream cheese.

Pickles

3

1/4 cup per person of each

Gherkins, peppadews, and pimento olives.

Sauces or dips

2

1 cup of each

Chutney, tomato sauce or peri-peri mayo.

Starch

2

5

Bite size pieces of a traditional braai broodjie. 

 

DESSERT BRAAI TAPAS PLATTER

Finish off your braai party with a dessert platter. Inspired by traditional South African desserts, use these all-round favourites as inspiratation like sweet jaffles, pancakes, s’mores, malva pudding or even peppermint crisp tart.

  • Serves: 4
  • Course: Dessert

Type

Selection of

Quantity

Ingredient suggestions

Fruit

2

1 cup per person

Peaches, pineapple, or an assortment of berries.

Dairy

3

1 cup per person of each

Freshly whipped cream, cream cheese with sugar, or ice cream.

Sweets

3

½ cup per person of each

Marshmallows, chocolate pieces, or small jelly sweets.

Sauces or dips

2

1 cup of each

Caramel tin, chocolate ganache or a flavoured meringue cream. 

Starch

2

5

Braaied brownies, puff pastry cubes, halved donuts, or charred wafer biscuits.

 

Braai tapas platters can be just about anything, it is all up to you. You can even rope in the kids to try it out and make one, with supervision when braaiing. Imagine it, going camping and the kids have the food sorted. That, is together, made better, made young!

For more recipes to try out for your next braai tapas platter, click here.