🥩 The Ultimate Guide to Biltong

By Michael, Founder of LuvBiltong

First things first — we LUV BILTONG.

In fact, we love it so much that we created this ultimate guide to help you understand everything there is to know about this much-loved South African meaty snack.

LuvBiltong was founded by Michael, originally from South Africa. Like many of you, he’s always loved the outdoors — hiking, running, and exploring the beautiful mountain trails back home. It’s there that his passion for simple, wholesome, and flavourful food was born — and with it, his love for authentic South African biltong.

If you enjoy this guide, please share it. And if you’ve got questions or thoughts, drop us a message — we’d love to hear from you.

🇿🇦 What Is Biltong?

Biltong is a traditional air-dried and cured meat snack that originated in Southern Africa, particularly South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia.

While it shares similarities with cured meats around the world, biltong’s unique charm comes from its distinct blend of spices and natural air-drying process — a method perfected over generations.

Rich in protein, low in carbohydrates, and naturally gluten-free, biltong is ideal for those following keto, paleo, or banting diets.

In South Africa, biltong isn’t just a snack — it’s a cultural icon, as beloved and traditional as the Sunday roast is in Britain.

💬 What Does the Word “Biltong” Mean?

The word comes from Afrikaans, derived from Dutch:

• Bil = “rump”

• Tong = “strip”

So quite literally, biltong means “strips of cured meat.”

🌶️ Taste and Flavour

Biltong’s incredible flavour comes from two key ingredients — salt and coriander seeds — enhanced by black pepper, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.

Crafted using butcher-quality meat to achieve an authentic biltong flavour, without the need for nitrates or additives.

Good biltong should taste balanced, aromatic, and savoury, with a clear punch of roasted coriander seed. Unlike beef jerky, biltong is naturally air-dried, not smoked or cooked, giving it a softer, more tender texture and a rich, beefy flavour.

Poorly made biltong is often too salty or vinegary — so balance is everything.

💪 Nutritional Benefits of Biltong

Biltong’s rise in global popularity is no surprise — it’s a healthier alternative to crisps or sweets and packed with muscle-building protein.

Typical nutrition per 28g serving of Traditional beef biltong:

• Calories: 80

• Protein: 15g

• Fat: 2g

• Carbs: 1g

• Iron: 35% of daily value

• Sodium: 1% of daily value

It’s also rich in vitamin B12, magnesium, and potassium — all essential for energy, muscle recovery, and overall wellness.

🧂 How Biltong Is Made

Traditional biltong uses just three ingredients:
Coriander, Pepper, and Salt — plus a touch of Worcestershire for curing.

The process:

1. Slice silverside or topside beef into strips (1.5–2cm thick)

2. Season and marinate with vinegar and spices

3. Allow to cure naturally for 3–5 days in a ventilated environment

4. Air-dry until firm but tender

At LuvBiltong, we make ours the traditional way — no MSG, nitrates, or sulphates, and we use only the finest British beef from Scotland and Surrey farms.

🧠 A Brief History of Biltong

The art of preserving meat dates back thousands of years. As early as 12,000 B.C., ancient Egyptians were curing meat using salt, air drying, and even honey to ensure they had food during lean seasons.

When Dutch settlers arrived in South Africa in the 1600s, they brought with them centuries-old methods of preserving meat for long journeys and harsh climates. As these techniques met the land, ingredients and culture of Southern Africa, they evolved. Vinegar was added for preservation, coriander for warmth, pepper for depth, and salt to draw out flavour. Over time, this careful balance gave rise to a distinctive taste and texture — the biltong we know and cherish today.

Long before Dutch settlers set foot in Southern Africa, indigenous communities such as the Bushmen and Khoikhoi were already drying meat as a vital source of nourishment and survival. These early methods were born of deep knowledge of the land and its rhythms. When European settlers arrived, they did not invent the process — they refined and popularised it, blending their preservation techniques with African tradition. From this meeting of cultures emerged one of South Africa’s most enduring and iconic foods: biltong.

🥩 Types of Biltong

Though beef is the most common, biltong can be made from:

• Game meats (kudu, wildebeest, springbok, venison)

• Birds (ostrich, pheasant, partridge)

• Even chicken or fish in modern variations

Every type offers a slightly different texture and depth of flavour.

🍽️ How to Eat and Enjoy Biltong

Biltong isn’t just for snacking! Try it in:

• Biltong BLT sandwich

• Biltong salad or baked potato

• Biltong pizza or quiche

• Biltong stew or soup

Or try biltong powder — a finely ground version that adds a protein punch to stews, soups, and toasties.

🧊 Storage Tips

Once opened, store your biltong in a paper bag — up to 3 days for traditional biltong and 5 days for flavoured biltong.

• Avoid storing biltong in plastic, as it traps moisture and can lead to mould.
• For long-term storage, you can vacuum-seal or freeze your biltong, alternatively, keeping it in a cool, dark place to preserve freshness and flavour.
• If you notice any mould, simply wipe the affected area gently with vinegar and hang in ventilated room — a natural and traditional way to keep your biltong safe and tasty.

👶 Biltong for Babies

• Safe in moderation, use minimally processed biltong with 5 natural Ingredients or less.

• Avoid moist or under-dried biltong for toddlers.

• For babies over 6 months, it can help with teething — but ensure it’s dry and minimally processed.

❤️ Why We Luv Biltong

At LuvBiltong, our passion is simple — to make authentic, naturally cured biltong using butcher-quality beef, minimal ingredients to maximise flavour.

We believe in clean eating, ethical sourcing, and bringing a taste of South Africa to the UK.

🛒 Explore Our Range

From Traditional, Mango chutney, Texan Steak, Sweet Chilli and Garlic & Chilli to Smokey BBQ, Portuguese Peri-Peri, and Wagyu Biltong — we have a flavour for every adventure.

👉 Shop Biltong Online
👉 Get 15% off with code LUV15

💬 Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, congrats — you’re officially a Biltong Nerd like us!

This guide is a living resource — we’ll keep updating it as we grow.
If you have feedback, questions, or biltong recipe ideas, drop us a message or comment below.

Snack smart. Snack Luv. ❤️