If you ask an American what their go-to high-protein travel snack is, they’ll say beef jerky. But if you ask anyone from South Africa, they will look at you with pity and hand you a slice of South African jerky, affectionately known as Biltong.
Once you try biltong, it’s incredibly hard to go back to the tough, teeth-breaking strips of traditional jerky found in gas stations. But what exactly is this South African delicacy? And more importantly, what does South African jerky taste like?
Let’s dive into the ultimate guide to biltong, why it’s taking over the snacking world, and where you can get your hands on the best stuff right now.
What is Biltong? (The South African Jerky Secret)
Biltong originated in South Africa in the 1600s as a way to preserve meat in the hot climate before refrigerators existed. The word comes from the Dutch words bil (buttock/rump) and tong (strip or tongue).
Unlike traditional American jerky, biltong is not cooked or smoked. Instead, it is air-dried and cured. The meat—usually beef, but sometimes game or ostrich—is soaked in a mixture of vinegar, salt, and spices, and then hung to dry.
The result? A tender, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth meat snack that makes standard jerky feel like chewing on a leather shoe.
Biltong vs. Jerky: What’s the Real Difference?
If you’re wondering about the difference between biltong and beef jerky, it comes down to three main things: ingredients, preparation, and texture.
- The Ingredients: Jerky relies heavily on sugar, soy sauce, and artificial smoke flavors. Biltong keeps it clean: vinegar, salt, black pepper, and toasted coriander seeds. That’s it.
- The Process: Jerky is baked or dehydrated at high heat. Biltong is air-dried in a controlled environment at room temperature over several days.
- The Texture: Because it isn’t heat-dried, biltong retains its moisture. You can get it sliced thin, thick, or even in “wet” chunks that practically melt in your mouth.
Is Biltong Healthier Than Regular Jerky?
If you are on a keto diet, paleo, or just trying to eat cleaner, you need to know: is biltong healthier than jerky? The short answer is a resounding yes.
Because biltong doesn’t use sugar in the curing process, it has zero to minimal sugar content compared to the 5-10 grams of sugar found in a single serving of mainstream beef jerky. Furthermore, because it’s air-dried, biltong retains up to 50% more protein per gram than traditional jerky. It’s a pure, clean protein boost.
How to Eat Biltong
Part of the fun of South African jerky is figuring out how you like to eat it!
- Straight out of the bag: The classic way. Perfect for a post-workout snack.
- On sandwiches: In South Africa, a “Biltong Sandwich” (biltong, cream cheese, and avocado) is a lunchtime staple.
- Chopped in salads: Ditch the croutons and add sliced biltong for a high-protein crunch.
- With a cold beer: It is the ultimate pub snack.
(Sidebar Idea: Put a quick, catchy image here that says “Craving it yet? Scroll down to buy the best biltong on Amazon!” to keep them reading).
The Best South African Biltong You Can Buy Online
You don’t need a plane ticket to Cape Town to try this amazing snack. Thanks to Amazon, you can have premium South African jerky delivered right to your door.
If you are ready to upgrade your snack game, here are the top-rated biltong brands you can buy online right now:
1. Best Overall: Stryve Biltong Stryve has done an incredible job bringing biltong to the mainstream. Their beef is grass-fed, sugar-free, and air-dried to perfection.
2. Best for Purists: Ayoba-Yo Biltong Made by a South African living in the US, Ayoba-Yo is as authentic as it gets. They use traditional recipes with real coriander and vinegar.
3. Best Value Pack: Kalahari Biltong Kalahari offers fantastic traditional flavors and often comes in variety packs, which is great if you want to figure out which flavor profile you like best (from wet to dry).
Ready to Make the Switch?
South African jerky isn’t just a trend; it’s a centuries-old tradition that simply outclasses standard beef jerky in flavor, texture, and nutrition. Whether you are looking for a sugar-free keto snack or just want to try something new, biltong is about to become your new pantry staple.
Have you tried biltong yet? Let me know your favorite flavor in the comments below!