South African Braai Burger with Chakalaka Relish & Sweet Potato Chips

Wine from South Africa and the King of the Braai: Why Mischa Estate Accordance Steals the Show at This Burger Gathering

Wine from South Africa and an authentic braai burger—that’s the soul of South Africa on a plate. The braai, the South African way of grilling, is more than just a cooking method: it’s a ritual, a communal experience, and a culinary heritage all at once. At the center is a juicy grilled beef burger patty topped with chakalaka—the spicy, slightly hot vegetable relish made from onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and beans that accompanies virtually every meat dish in South Africa. Served with crispy oven-baked sweet potato chips. All of this would be a feast in itself—but with the right wine from South Africa, it becomes a truly memorable experience. The Mischa Estate Accordance 2020 from Wellington, Western Cape, is a Bordeaux blend of exceptional depth and elegance that perfectly complements the robust roasted aromas of the braai burger while simultaneously highlighting the spice of the chakalaka in a whole new light.

Ideal wine pairing: Mischa Estate Accordance (WO Wellington, Western Cape, South Africa)

On the nose, this exceptional South African Bordeaux blend opens with rich aromas of black currant and plum—a fruity opening with immediate allure, followed by secondary notes of tobacco, dark chocolate, and cloves. It is precisely these chocolate and spice notes that are the aromatic key to pairing it with chakalaka relish: The spiciness of the chili and bell pepper in the relish finds an elegant counterpart in the wine’s secondary aromas. On the palate, prominent yet pleasantly soft tannins develop, building through the mid-palate and fading into a long, fruit-filled finish with notes of plum and cloves. With 14.01% alcohol, this wine has the body a juicy braai burger needs—and with a total acidity of 5.7 g/l, enough freshness to cleanly balance the fattiness of the patty. The Accordance is ready to drink now and has aging potential through 2025.

The recipe:

South African Braai Burger with Chakalaka Relish & Sweet Potato Chips

A juicy grilled beef burger prepared in the South African braai tradition, topped with homemade chakalaka relish and served with crispy oven-baked sweet potato chips. A wine from South Africa—specifically, the Mischa Estate Accordance 2020 from Wellington—pairs with this burger with Bordeaux-style elegance: black currant, plum, tobacco, and dark chocolate meet fire, spice, and South African barbecue aromas—a pairing that showcases what wines from overseas are truly capable of.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Grilled dish

Cuisine South African

Servings 2 people

Calories 780 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Holzkohlegrill oder Grillpfanne
• 1 Backblech mit Backpapier für die Süßkartoffelchips
• 1 Mittlerer Topf für das Chakalaka
• 1 Schneidebrett und scharfes Messer
• Burgerpresse oder Hände zum Formen der Patties

Ingredients

  

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FOR THE BURGER PATTIES:

• 400 g ground beef At least 20% fat content
• 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE CHAKALAKA RELISH:

• 1 Onion finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper finely diced
• 2 ripe tomatoes chopped
• 1 small red chili pepper finely chopped
• 200 g Kidney beans from a can, drained
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 Tablespoon of olive oil
• Salt black pepper

FOR THE SWEET POTATO CHIPS:

• 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes peeled, sliced thinly
• 2 Tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of coarse sea salt
• ½ teaspoon of rosemary needles finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon of chili flakes

FOR THE BURGERS:

• 2 Hamburger buns Brioche or Sesame
• 2 tablespoon of mayonnaise
• 1 Tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• 2 Leaves of iceberg lettuce
• 2 Slices of ripe tomato
• 2 Slices of Cheddar optional

Instructions

 

PREPARATION:

• Preheat the oven to 200 °C (top and bottom heat).
• Toss the sweet potato slices with olive oil, salt, rosemary, and chili flakes in a bowl, then spread them out on a baking sheet.
• To make the chakalaka, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat for 3 minutes.
• Add the bell peppers and chili peppers and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes until tender.
• Stir in the tomatoes, beans, curry powder, and paprika; season with salt and pepper to taste; and let it simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
• Mix the ground meat with Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and shape it into two even patties.

COOKING STEPS:

• Bake the sweet potato chips on the middle rack for 20–25 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Heat the grill or grill pan to the highest heat.
• Grill the patties for 3–4 minutes on each side without pressing them down, until they have distinct grill marks and are juicy and pink on the inside.
• Optional: Add the cheddar during the last 2 minutes and let it melt.
• Toast the burger buns briefly on the grill.

SERVE:

• Spread mayonnaise and Dijon mustard on the bottom half of the roll.
• Top with iceberg lettuce and a slice of tomato.
• Place the patty on top.
• Spoon a generous amount of chakalaka relish onto the patty.
• Put the lid on and serve immediately.
• Arrange the sweet potato chips next to it.

SIDE DISHES:

• Extra chakalaka in a small bowl for dipping
• Coleslaw with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
• Grilled Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter

Nutrition

Calories: 780kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 44gFat: 38g

Keyword Bordeaux Blend, South Africa, Braai Burger Recipe, Chakalaka Relish, Mischa Estate, South African barbecue, Sweet Potato Chips Recipe, Wellington, South Africa, Wine from South Africa

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