Biltong is air-dried, spiced beef. It comes from South Africa, where strips of beef are dipped in vinegar, rubbed with salt and spices, and hung to dry in cool air for several days. The result is a dark, deeply savoury, high-protein food you slice or tear straight from the bag. No cooking, no sugar, no fuss.
Where does biltong come from?
Biltong has been made in southern Africa for roughly 400 years. Long before fridges, people preserved meat by curing it in vinegar and salt and drying it in the open air. The name comes from the Dutch "bil" (rump) and "tong" (strip). Coriander and black pepper became the classic spicing, and they still are.
We make ours a long way from the veld, in Sintra, Portugal. At around 400m of elevation, the cool Atlantic air that rolls over the hills turns out to be close to perfect for air-drying. It is a South African tradition, made properly in a Portuguese microclimate that suits it.
How is biltong made?
Real biltong needs only five ingredients: beef, vinegar, salt, coriander and black pepper. The beef is trimmed and cut into strips, marinated in vinegar and spices, then hung to air-dry for about five days. Nothing is cooked, smoked or sweetened. That slow dry is what gives biltong its firm bite and concentrated, beefy flavour.
Is biltong the same as jerky?
No, and it is worth knowing the difference. Jerky is usually cooked or smoked at heat and very often coated in sugary marinades. Biltong is air-dried, spiced with vinegar rather than sugar, and comes out savoury instead of sweet.
| Biltong | Jerky | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Air-dried, uncooked | Cooked or smoked with heat |
| Sugar | None | Often high |
| Spicing | Vinegar, salt, coriander, pepper | Sweet or smoky marinades |
| Taste | Savoury, beefy | Sweet, chewy |
We go deeper on this in Where to Buy Biltong In Portugal?
What does biltong taste like?
Rich and properly beefy, with a gentle tang from the vinegar and a warm, earthy note from the coriander. Texture depends on how far it is dried: softer and moist in the middle, or firmer with more chew. Our four flavours build on that base, from the clean Original to a fiery Piri Piri.
Is biltong good for you?
It is one of the most protein-dense foods you can carry. Our lean biltong has over 60g of protein per 100g, with around 3g of carbs, no sugar and no additives. That makes it a simple, honest choice when you want real protein without a long ingredients list. It is food, not a sugary treat.
Frequently asked questions
Is biltong raw?
No. It is not cooked, but the vinegar cure and the days of air-drying make it safe to eat as is. "Air-dried" sits between raw and cooked.
How long does biltong last?
Sealed and kept dry, it keeps for weeks. Once open, keep it somewhere cool and dry and enjoy it within a few days for the best texture.
Does biltong need to be refrigerated?
Unopened, no. That is part of what makes it such a handy food to carry for travel, hikes or the gym.
Is biltong gluten free?
Ours is. We offer a gluten free version of biltong that cures our beef without Worcester Sauce in the recipe.
How much protein is in biltong?
Our lean biltong has over 60g of protein per 100g, which is among the highest of any real food you can slip in a bag.
Have you ever tried biltong? Tell us in the comments.
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