Braaibroodjie (South African Grilled Cheese)The classic melty sandwich gets even better with the addition of sweet-and-sour chutney.

Cape Town-based butcher Andy Fenner serves these cheesy sandwiches called braaibroodjie (“barbecue bread”) with beer. His version stacks slices with cheddar, tomato, onions, and chutney before grilling. The chutney is key: Mrs. Ball’s, an iconic brand in South Africa, is made from dried fruits and vinegar, but any sweet-and-sour chutney will do.

Featured in The South African Art of Braai” by Mark Byrne.

  • Serves

    Makes 4 sandwiches

  • Time

    25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 slices white bread
  • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
  • 8½ oz. coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)
  • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
  • ½ large white onion, very thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. sweet-and-sour chutney, preferably Mrs. Ball’s

Instructions

Step 1

Heat a grill (or large grill pan or cast iron skillet) to medium-high. Meanwhile, brush one side of each bread slice with the melted butter.

Step 2

Place the bread, buttered-side down, on a clean work surface. Divide the cheese evenly among 4 slices of the bread, then top each with 1–2 slices of tomato and onion. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Spread the chutney on the remaining slices of bread, then place them chutney-side down on top of the tomato and onion to close the sandwiches.

Step 3

Grill the sandwiches, turning once, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, about 6 minutes total. Serve hot.

  1. Heat a grill (or large grill pan or cast iron skillet) to medium-high. Meanwhile, brush one side of each bread slice with the melted butter.

  2. Place the bread, buttered-side down, on a clean work surface. Divide the cheese evenly among 4 slices of the bread, then top each with 1–2 slices of tomato and onion. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Spread the chutney on the remaining slices of bread, then place them chutney-side down on top of the tomato and onion to close the sandwiches.

  3. Grill the sandwiches, turning once, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, about 6 minutes total. Serve hot.

Recipes

Braaibroodjie (South African Grilled Cheese)

The classic melty sandwich gets even better with the addition of sweet-and-sour chutney.

  • Serves

    Makes 4 sandwiches

  • Time

    25 minutes

South African Grilled Cheese
PHOTO: PAOLA + MURRAY • FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE • PROP STYLING: CARLA GONZALEZ-HART

By Andy Fenner


Updated on May 22, 2024

Cape Town-based butcher Andy Fenner serves these cheesy sandwiches called braaibroodjie (“barbecue bread”) with beer. His version stacks slices with cheddar, tomato, onions, and chutney before grilling. The chutney is key: Mrs. Ball’s, an iconic brand in South Africa, is made from dried fruits and vinegar, but any sweet-and-sour chutney will do.

Featured in The South African Art of Braai” by Mark Byrne.

Ingredients

  • 8 slices white bread
  • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
  • 8½ oz. coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)
  • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
  • ½ large white onion, very thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. sweet-and-sour chutney, preferably Mrs. Ball’s

Instructions

Step 1

Heat a grill (or large grill pan or cast iron skillet) to medium-high. Meanwhile, brush one side of each bread slice with the melted butter.

Step 2

Place the bread, buttered-side down, on a clean work surface. Divide the cheese evenly among 4 slices of the bread, then top each with 1–2 slices of tomato and onion. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Spread the chutney on the remaining slices of bread, then place them chutney-side down on top of the tomato and onion to close the sandwiches.

Step 3

Grill the sandwiches, turning once, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, about 6 minutes total. Serve hot.

  1. Heat a grill (or large grill pan or cast iron skillet) to medium-high. Meanwhile, brush one side of each bread slice with the melted butter.

  2. Place the bread, buttered-side down, on a clean work surface. Divide the cheese evenly among 4 slices of the bread, then top each with 1–2 slices of tomato and onion. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Spread the chutney on the remaining slices of bread, then place them chutney-side down on top of the tomato and onion to close the sandwiches.

  3. Grill the sandwiches, turning once, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, about 6 minutes total. Serve hot.

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