North/South African,  Recipes,  Tiny Tips of Thyme

Braai South African Spice Blend

Braai South African Spice Blend.

Several years ago for Christmas, Shelby gave me a Flavors of the World subscription box. It was great fun each month to unpack and explore the contents.

Each box was designated to a different region of the world. There were often teas, chocolates, and assorted snacks as well as regional ingredients with recipe cards.

After enjoying my four-month subscription, the one item that left the biggest impression and was still lingering on my mind was this Braai Seasoning.

Braai is the South African equivalent to BBQ. And from what I understand Braai to South Africans is both a cuisine and a pastime. So much so they renamed their nation’s Heritage Day to Braai Day (September 24th)!

This smoky paprika blend is so full of flavor and is phenomenal rubbed on chicken and pork. However I enjoy it most often sprinkled on an avocado or liberally spooned into my Smoky Sweet Potato Hummus.

I tried for months to locate this brand online and scoured the shelves at Whole Foods, World Market and the like, to no avail. Yet I hung on to the empty jar for a couple years with the hopes that I might locate it.

It wasn’t until this summer, when we got on a Paella kick, that we found ourselves with an abundant supply of smoked paprika.

It hit me one day.

The smoky base flavor of that beloved Braai South African Spice Blend was just that.

Seems quite obvious now that I should have tried to recreate the blend at home long before now. Nonetheless, I have come up with what I believe to be the perfect balance of smoky, salty, herby goodness.

At present, the blend finds its way into marinades, dry rubs, dips, and dressings. Hope you’ll mix up a batch and give it a try! Enjoy!

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All my best,
xo Libby

Braai Seasoning

This smoky, salty, herby spice blend is the perfect companion for chicken or pork. And delightful sprinkled over avocado or eggs or stirred into hummus!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tablespoons Smoked Paprika
  • 2 Tablespoons Dried Basil
  • 2 Tablespoons Dried Minced Garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon Sea Salt

Instructions
 

  • Combine all spices into a jar. Store in spice cabinet.

6 Comments

  • Patricia

    Thank you so very much! I, too, got hooked on this blend in a “Try the World” box and, as did you, kept the bottle, tried to replicate it from the ingredient list, and even contacted the company (who thought I was nuts). I found a similar product in France that tided me over for another year of carefully rationed use (US Customs thought I was nuts). I shall download your recipe. Heck, I may have it bronzed and set up on a kitchen altar (the dog already knows I’m nuts). Many thanks!

    • libby

      Yes!! So glad you found us and hope it brings back delicious memories for you. I went a couple years as well and was so happy to have the blend back in my pantry and sprinkled on nearly everything!!

  • Katie

    I got that exact same spice blend in that exact same box, and have also kept the bottle! Can’t wait to try this recipe out. That stuff is my FAVORITE to sprinkle on popcorn!

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