It's the question we hear most across the counter in Knysna, usually from someone who's just arrived for the holidays with a house full of people: how much meat do I actually need?
So we built the answer into a calculator. Tell it who's coming and what you'd like to braai, and it'll give you a shopping list in kilograms. It's the same rule of thumb our butchers use when you ask them in the shop.
Braai calculator
Raw weight to buy, before cooking.
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How hungry is the crowd?
Plenty of sides, or mostly meat?
What's going on the fire?
Something to snack on while the fire gets going?
The rule of thumb
For a normal braai with salads, pap and bread on the table, allow about 400g of raw meat per adult. Light eaters need closer to 300g. If the crowd is the kind that stands at the fire all afternoon, or the sides are an afterthought, go to 500g or more. Children under 12 eat roughly half an adult portion.
That's raw weight, bought from us. Meat loses some weight on the fire, and chops carry bone, so don't be tempted to trim these numbers down.
Getting the mix right
Boerewors is the one nobody skips. It cooks quickly, feeds the early arrivals, and keeps the kids happy. We sell it in coils, so it's easiest to buy by the half kilogram.
Lamb chops are the braai favourite. Lamb from our own farm at Merweville, cut by our butchers in Knysna. Plan on two to three chops per adult if lamb is the main event.
Steak works best when it's thick. Ask for rump or sirloin cut about 2.5cm and slice it on the board to share, rather than giving everyone their own.
Something to snack on makes the wait for the coals a lot easier. A little biltong and droëwors goes a long way.
Three things our butchers will tell you
Take the meat out of the fridge half an hour before it goes on. Salt it just before cooking, not the night before. And let steak rest for five minutes before you cut it.
Come and see us
Bring your list to the shop at 45 Waterfront Drive, Knysna, and we'll cut it for you while you have a coffee.