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You've probably heard of jerky, but unless you're South African, biltong might be something new to you!
What is Biltong?
Biltong is a traditional South African snack, often compared to beef jerky. It's made by air-drying seasoned meat, usually beef, though other meats like lamb are also used.
The key difference? Unlike jerky, typically dehydrated or smoked, biltong is cured and air-dried for several days, keeping more nutrients intact.
While biltong may seem like a recent snacking trend, it's been around for centuries. It initially helped African communities preserve meat without refrigeration.
How Biltong and Jerky Differ
Production Process:
- Jerky is usually cooked at around 70°C or smoked, while biltong is never cooked.
- Biltong is cured in a salt-and-vinegar brine, then left to slowly air-dry, preserving heat-sensitive vitamins like B12.
- Biltong uses simple ingredients like salt, vinegar, and spices. In contrast, Beef Jerky often contains added sugar, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Some jerky can even contain up to 20% sugar!
- Many commercial jerky products use preservatives like nitrates and nitrites, which you won't find in our biltong or beef bars.
Meat Cuts:
- Beef jerky is almost always made from lean cuts, while biltong can be made from lean or fatty cuts.
- Biltong is cut into thick strips for hanging, while Jerky is typically thinly sliced (though we thinly slice our biltong for easier snacking).
- Biltong offers a range of textures – some pieces are moist and fatty, while others are dry and crumbly. Due to the lean cuts, Jerky tends to have a more consistent texture.
Why Chief Biltong is a Cut Above
Our Chief Biltong is a nutritious, high-protein snack rich in essential vitamins and minerals like iron and low in carbohydrates. We use 100% grass-fed, regeneratively farmed organic beef, which sets us apart from many other products.
How to Use Biltong in Recipes
Biltong is more than just a snack – it's a versatile meal addition. Toss it into veggie bowls, salads, scrambled eggs, or grazing platters. One of our favourite ways to enjoy it is in a Biltong Caesar Salad.
Biltong Caesar Salad Recipe
Serves: 1
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- Caesar Dressing:
- ½ cup unsweetened Greek yoghurt
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1 anchovy in olive oil, finely chopped
- ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan (plus extra for garnish)
- ½ tsp sea salt
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- Two slices of sourdough bread, cubed
- 1 head Cos lettuce, chopped
- 1 medium Lebanese cucumber, sliced
- One medium avocado, sliced
- 1 ½ packets Chief Traditional Biltong
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C. Toast the sourdough cubes for 20 minutes until they're golden and crispy.
- While the croutons are baking, combine all the dressing ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix the dressing with the lettuce, cucumber, avocado, croutons, and Chief Biltong. Toss everything together and divide between bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan if desired.
Bon apetit.
Craving a healthy snack alternative to beef jerky? Try our delicious range of biltong! From Traditional Biltong to Lime Biltong and BBQ Biltong, we’ve got something for everyone. Happy snacking!