Boerewors are a type of sausage popular in South Africa made from minced beef and spices in a sausage casing. These sausages are preserved with salt and vinegar and are nitrate free. In South Africa, Boerewors are often made on the grill (they call it the Braai) and traditionally formed in a continuous spiral or cut up in 5 inch pieces.
Over the years, the traditions and recipes have been passed down from generations with several claiming the best Boerewors in South Africa. In the United States, the options are much more limiting especially if you keep kosher. David Libesman came to the US, the son of a South African butcher and searched everywhere to satisfy his craving for a taste of Boerewors. When he came up short, he decided to make his own and that was the beginning of Joburg Kosher.
Joburg Kosher offers three flavors of Boerewors, Traditional, Garlic and Spicy Peri-Peri. From the first time I tasted these sausages I was won over. I love that they are fresh meat sausages and the spices of toasted coriander seed, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves and allspice are distinctive. They are also wonderful on the grill! In fact Joburg offers the only kosher sausages with an edible beef casing that can be left on during cooking and gives it a wonderful taste and texture.
You may have noticed many non-kosher recipes call for sausage browned after removing the casing. Using Boerewors in this way opens up a wide range of possibilities for the kosher cook, like this delicious new recipe: Boerewors, Apple and Sage Stuffed Portobellos, but you can also keep things easy and leave the casing on in this recipe or any other.
I removed the casing and the meat browned beautifully. I sautéed onion, apples and celery in the oil leftover from browning the meat. I mixed it all with some bread and broth to create the most flavorful stuffing topping for a Portobello mushroom, although it would make an amazing standalone stuffing, too!
South Africans seem to have their own creative ways to serve their Boerwors like this recipe for Glazed “Pap and Wors” that our friend Sharon Lurie, from South Africa, has shared. I know my recipe isn’t as authentic, but it’s okay to change things up at least here in America – don’t you think?
Here is my recipe for Sausage, Apple and Sage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
I enjoy trying different types of sausages. These sound really interesting and would love to try them!
I’ve never heard of Boerewors before. Everything looks and sounds so yummy.
Wow, can’t wait to try this!
I’ve never heard of Boerewors before – sounds very yummy!
Sounds yummy
My husband would love these, if only they were available whee we shop.
Ooooh! Kosher casings…that is exciting!
I always wanted to make my own but had no idea where to get casings from…
Look here for a store locator to find a place near you http://joburgkosher.com/apps/store-locator
This sounds so good.
Oh, my! I just finished eating dinner and looking at the picture and then the recipe, I’m hungry again!
Very interesting. thanks!
Where can you buy this in New York?
Yes, Tami, you can find it in many stores, but also order online at Joburgkosher.com. If you act quickly you might still be able to get 10% with coupon code FRESH5775
Would like to sample this sausage.
Sounds really good! Will try it soon!
A taste of Joburg memories!
This is a wonderful article and I hope to try the sausages first. South African Jewish cuisine and customs are often overlooked and the food is delicious. Can I get it on line??
I have never heard of Boerewors but my family loves sausages & would love to try them !!
Im going to look around for them to try..
Nothing like boerewors on the braai…….it’s making my mouth water just thinking about it. Would love to try the garlic and the peri-peri wors too.
I went to South Africa over 20 years ago and STILL think about all the wonderful food I had there, but especially the South African Boerewors. So glad that I can finally get an order of all the meats that I loved. Great product and great taste…and kosher too!!!
I am so happy to read about South African recipes, I’m American but used to live in SA and I met Sharon and used to go to the kosher butcher that Sharon’s family own. They are amazing! I miss the ‘voers and the biltong the most!! It’s been so many years!! I left in 1993.Can’t wait to try Jamie’s recipe!!
Love these sausages. Luckily we can get them in Florida and they are delicious.
I love spicy sausages! These sound wonderful. Do you know of any source in California?
Aint nothing like true South African Boerewors. Why change something that has managed to remain perfect for so long. The smell literally picks me up and transports me back 25 years to my very early childhood in SA.
as a south african now living in the US i know just how hard it is to find good kosher wors. but there is no better smell to entice the tastebuds then wors on the braai
really like them
Our local butcher makes a variety of sausages, but these take sausage to another level. Can’t wait to try the recipe.
Great sausage!
I have tasted their Biltong and its DELICIOUS!
These sound delish!
With dry ice – they stay frozen.
I would like to try it out,because I have international tastes.
Yum, I miss this stuff- there’s no good kosher sausage in the Bay Area!
These look delicious, I would love to try them!
I love sausage in a hearty black bean soup with veggies. Would love to try these!
My mother-in-law is South African and was thrilled to find out about this company! It is a real taste of home for her…and she enjoys watching us enjoy her favorite foods from childhood!
These boerwors are absolutely delicious – even though I have no idea how to spell the word! Thanks for creating a great product!
we love sausages, these look really good!
Love to try something new!
How do they ship them and keep them fresh/cold?
Sounds delicious. I have relatives from S Africa but when we traveled there I couldn’t taste the meat because of kashrut.
I love sausage in a pea soup
Nothing new but nice
Great something new for Barry to grill!
We are always looking to try new and different kosher food. It would be great to win.
I would love to try these sausages.
How cool do THESE look?! I’d love to try them!
my husband and i love susages. would love to try this new company
I never heard about Boerewor before … will have to look for it, sounds delicious!
love this sausage, grilled with grilled onions and a crusty roll. There is a waterfall in my mouth just thinking about it