Jamie Oliver Bobotie Recipe

The Jamie Oliver Bobotie Recipe is a glorious mash-up of comfort and exotic flair. With warming spices, tender minced beef, and a silky egg custard top, this dish delivers on both taste and heartiness. I wasn’t sure what to expect the first time I made it, but wow—this South African classic hit all the right notes. Rich, sweet, savory, and satisfying. (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

For the Bobotie:

• 2 slices white bread
• 2 onions, chopped
• 25g (about 2 tablespoons) butter
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1kg (about 2.2 pounds) lean minced beef
• 2 tbsp Madras curry paste
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 3 cloves
• 5 allspice berries
• 2 tbsp peach or mango chutney
• 3 tbsp sultanas or raisins
• 6 bay leaves

For the Topping:

• 300ml (about 1 1/4 cups) full-cream milk
• 2 large eggs

How To Make Jamie Oliver Bobotie

Prep the Bread and Oven:

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F/fan 160°C/gas 4). Soak the bread in cold water while you prepare everything else. This old-school trick gives the dish a soft texture without being soggy.

Cook the Base:

In a large pan, melt the butter and gently cook the chopped onions for about 10 minutes until soft and golden. Stir in the crushed garlic, then add the minced beef. Break it up with your spoon until it browns and the texture turns crumbly.

Add the Spices and Flavor:

Mix in the curry paste, herbs, cloves, and allspice berries. Then, stir in the chutney and sultanas along with 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a good amount of ground black pepper. Let everything simmer covered for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Blend in the Bread:

Squeeze out the soaked bread and mash it into the meat mixture. This helps bind everything together while giving a tender mouthfeel. Pour everything into an ovenproof dish (about 23 x 33cm) and press it down smoothly.

Add the Topping and Bake:

Whisk the eggs and milk with a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour this custardy mixture over the meat and dot the top with the remaining bay leaves. Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and set.

Why I Love This Recipe

This Bobotie totally surprised me. I made it on a whim for a midweek dinner and didn’t expect it to be such a hit with the family. The sweet notes from the chutney and sultanas balanced the curry spices beautifully. Plus, the egg topping set up like a dream. It felt both familiar and new—pure comfort food with a twist.

Recipe Tips

• Choose lean mince: You don’t want the dish to turn greasy.
• Use a good-quality curry paste: It’s the backbone of the flavor.
• Don’t skip the chutney: It adds the signature sweet tang.
• Let it rest after baking: This helps any juices settle.
• Double it: It freezes beautifully, so make a big batch.

How To Store This Jamie Oliver Bobotie Recipe

At Room Temperature

Let it cool slightly before serving, but don’t leave it out for more than 2 hours.

In the Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

In the Freezer

Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

Warm in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 15–20 minutes. You can also microwave portions for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway, or reheat gently on the stove.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 386 kcal
• Carbs: 20g
• Protein: 43g
• Fat: 16g
• Sugar: 13g
• Fibre: 1g
• Sodium: 0.97g

Let’s Answer a Few Questions!

Can I make this with ground lamb or turkey?
Totally! Lamb gives it a richer flavor, and turkey makes it leaner—just adjust your spices to match.

Is Bobotie spicy?
Not really—it’s warm and fragrant rather than hot. You can always bump up the heat with chili if you like!

What’s a good chutney substitute?
Apricot jam or mild apple chutney both work great in a pinch.

Can I skip the sultanas?
Yes, though they add a lovely pop of sweetness. Dried apricots chopped small are a good sub.

Do I need to use all the spices listed?
The cloves and allspice are key to the traditional flavor, but you can adapt to what you have.

Try More Recipes:

• Jamie Oliver Mince And Onion Pie
• Jamie Oliver Beef Stroganoff
• Jamie Oliver Salt Beef