Global Meets Local as Pura Soda Pairs with Proudly South African Recipes Potjiekos: Pretoria’s Heritage Dish

If you drive through Pretoria on a weekend, you’ll often catch the smell of woodsmoke drifting from back gardens. Chances are, someone has a potjie bubbling away. Few dishes are as tied to Pretoria’s heritage as potjiekos - a slow-cooked stew made outdoors in a cast-iron three-legged pot.

The tradition stretches back to the days of the early Voortrekkers, who carried their heavy pots on wagons across the country. Wherever they stopped for the night, the pot would go onto the fire and whatever meat, vegetables, and grains were available would go in. Over time, this way of cooking became a ritual rather than just a necessity - a chance to gather, tell stories, and let the food develop its rich, layered flavours while the fire burned low.

Pretoria embraced potjiekos as more than just a dish, it’s a way of life. Families and friends gather around the pot not only to eat but to connect. Everyone has their own “secret” method: the order ingredients are layered, the mix of spices, or how long the lid stays firmly shut. And yet the heart of potjie never changes: it’s about patience, community, and turning simple ingredients into something unforgettable.

On Heritage Day, a potjie feels like the perfect symbol of Pretoria - rooted in tradition, yet always shared in the spirit of togetherness.

And now there’s a new way to give this heritage dish a modern twist. By adding a splash of PURA Soda Cranberry, the potjie takes on a subtle tartness that balances the richness of the meat while deepening the flavour of the sauce. Just as the potjie has always evolved with what’s on hand, this simple addition shows how tradition and refreshment can blend seamlessly.

Recipe Twist: Beef Potjie with PURA Soda

·       1 kg stewing beef, cubed

·       2 onions, chopped

·       2 carrots, sliced

·       3 potatoes, quartered

·       1 cup beef stock

·       1 cup PURA Soda Cranberry

·       2 tbsp tomato paste

·       2 tsp paprika

·       2 cloves garlic, minced

·       Salt and pepper to taste

Layer onions and beef in the pot and brown slowly. Add garlic, carrots, potatoes, paprika, and tomato paste. Pour in the stock and PURA Soda, season, and cover with the lid. Let it simmer gently over the coals for 2-3 hours without stirring, allowing the flavours to build and the sauce to thicken. Serve hot, straight from the pot, with rice or fresh bread.

This Heritage Day, let your potjie tell an old story in a new way - with a little help from PURA.