South Africans are social by nature, and nothing brings people together like a weekend braai. But with rising food prices, braaiing can feel like a luxury.
Good news: your wallet doesn’t need to suffer for you to enjoy great smoky flavour. With a few clever swaps, budget-friendly cuts and smart prep tricks, anyone can braai on a budget and still impress the whole crowd.
Below are the best affordable braai tips to stretch your rands without sacrificing taste, fun or tradition.
Can’t braai on a budget? The braai tricks to make your money go further
1. Swap pricey cuts for affordable braai winners
You don’t need T-bone or ribeye to impress anyone. Go for chicken thighs and drumsticks, which outshine breasts in flavour and price. Beef short rib, shin, brisket strips or chuck cubes braai beautifully low and slow. Don’t look at affordable meat cuts as a downgrade.
2. Buy in bulk, braai in portions
Bulk packs of chicken, wors or mince usually offer the lowest per-kilo price. Freeze in smaller portions at home to avoid waste and stretch meals across multiple weekends. And while you’re saving money, remember to avoid the common braai mistakes that can ruin even the best bargain cuts.
3. Stretch Meat With Cheap, Delicious Sides
A smart budget braai doesn’t rely on mountains of meat. Pap, chakalaka, garlic bread, mielies, sweet potato and roasted veggies all add colour and volume to your table without costing much. When sides shine, meat becomes a highlight rather than the whole event. Add a gourmet touch using herb oil, garlic butter or charred lemon. When the sides shine, the meat becomes a bonus, not the centrepiece.
4. Best Budget-Friendly Braai Basting Sauces
A good basting sauce can turn any affordable meat cut into the star of the show. Olive oil, lemon, garlic and spices go a long way. For something sweeter, try brown sugar, soy sauce and BBQ spice. Make big batches and keep them in jars for spontaneous braai nights. Flavour doesn’t have to cost extra.
5. Use Cheaper Fuel for Affordable Braaiing
Mix expensive charcoal with wood or choose slow-burning options. Start smaller, add gradually and think of your fire like a budget. If you manage it well, it goes further.
6. Braai budget tip: Turn Mince into budget braai gold
Mince is cheaper than steak and versatile, so you can use it to save money on your next braai. Transform it into burger patties, meatballs, koftas or stuffed mince bombs. One batch feeds a crowd and tastes anything but cheap.
7. Vegetarian braai options that save money
Seasonal veg is cheap and stretches your meal easily. Butternut boats, whole mielies, mushrooms with garlic butter or charred cabbage wedges add smoky flavour and make your braai look abundant. You can braai much less meat and still feel satisfied.
8. Braai once, eat twice (leftover strategy)
You have made the fire, so maximise it. Don’t see your braai as only one meal.
- Extra chicken: use in wraps or salads
- Extra wors: breakfast rolls
- Leftover mielies: next-day braai mielie salad
- Leftover veg: soup, mash or side dishes
Being smart with braai leftovers can save you cost and time.
9. Bring-and-braai: The ultimate braai budget hack
It’s part of South African culture and still one of the smartest braai budget hacks. Ask each person to bring something, whether drinks, starch, salads or meat. Costs drop, variety increases, and the vibe stays generous without one person footing the whole bill.
9. Affordable braai dessert made on the fire
No need to waste your budget on premade puddings or extra electricity costs. Banana boats with chocolate, braaied pineapple with cinnamon, or simple cinnamon sugar braai bakes feel luxurious but cost almost nothing.
With the right swaps and a bit of planning, a budget braai can taste just as good as an expensive one. These small tricks help you stretch your money without sacrificing the smoky, weekend magic South Africans love.
