What Is Biltong? A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Biltong is seasoned, cured and air-dried meat that originated in Southern Africa. It is most commonly made from beef and has a rich, savoury flavour with a tender or chewy texture, depending on how it is cut and dried. Unlike a sweet protein bar, biltong tastes like proper food because that is exactly what it is.
It may look similar to beef jerky at first glance, but the two snacks are prepared differently and usually have noticeably different textures and flavours.
At Hi Protein Biltong, we make ours using grass-fed British beef and offer it in three flavours: Original, Salt & Pepper and Chilli.
Here is everything you need to know before opening your first pack.
What is biltong?
Biltong is a type of cured, air-dried meat traditionally associated with Southern Africa. Beef is the most common meat used, although biltong can also be made using different game meats.
The meat is generally seasoned with ingredients such as salt, pepper, coriander and vinegar before being hung to dry. This process removes moisture, concentrates the beef flavour and creates biltong’s distinctive texture.
The result is a ready-to-eat savoury snack that can be sliced thinly, cut into thicker pieces or shredded.
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IN THIS POST
- What is Biltong?
- Where Does Biltong Come From?
- How is Biltong Made? (The Process Explained)
- What Does Biltong Taste Like?
- Biltong Vs Jerky
- Why is Biltong So High in Protein?
- Biltong Vs Jerky
- What Flavours Does Biltong Come In?
- Who is Biltong For?
Where does biltong come from?
Biltong originated in Southern Africa, where drying and curing were used to preserve meat before modern refrigeration became widely available.
The name comes from the Afrikaans words “bil”, referring to the rump or hindquarter, and “tong”, meaning strip or tongue.
Although the product has strong Southern African roots, biltong is now made and enjoyed in many other countries, including the UK.
Hi Protein Biltong brings this air-dried snack tradition to a modern British audience using grass-fed British beef and convenient individual packs.
What is biltong made from?
Traditional beef biltong is made using a fairly straightforward combination of:
Beef, Salt, Vinegar, Coriander, Black pepper
Additional herbs or spices, depending on the recipe. The precise ingredients vary between producers and flavours.
Some recipes are mild and beef-led, while others use chilli, garlic, extra pepper or different spice blends. The amount of moisture left in the meat can also affect its flavour and texture.
Hi Protein Biltong is made using British beef, malt vinegar and a biltong spice blend containing seasonings such as salt, coriander and pepper. The Chilli flavour also includes jalapeño chilli, while the Salt & Pepper variety has a more familiar peppery seasoning. Always check the individual product label for the complete ingredients and allergen information.
How is biltong made?
Biltong is usually made by seasoning, curing and slowly air-drying pieces of meat.
Although exact recipes differ, the general process includes the following stages.
1. The beef is selected and cut
Lean cuts of beef are cut into strips. Biltong can be made in thicker pieces than many types of jerky, which contributes to its more substantial texture.
2. The beef is seasoned
The meat is combined with salt, vinegar and spices. Coriander and black pepper are commonly associated with traditional biltong seasoning.
3. The meat is cured
The seasoning and vinegar are given time to work through the meat. This stage contributes to both preservation and flavour.
4. The meat is air-dried
The beef is hung in a controlled environment and slowly dried. As moisture leaves the meat, the flavour becomes more concentrated.
5. The biltong is sliced and packed
Once the desired texture has been reached, the biltong is sliced into convenient pieces and packed ready to eat.
Is biltong raw or cooked?
Biltong is not cooked in the conventional sense. Instead, it is cured and air-dried using a controlled production process.
That does not mean it is simply ordinary raw beef placed in a bag. Curing, seasoning and moisture reduction are essential parts of how commercial biltong is produced.
Biltong and cooked meat therefore undergo different processes, but properly manufactured and packaged biltong is sold as a ready-to-eat product.
You do not need to heat it, grill it or introduce it to the office microwave. Simply open the pack and eat it.
What does biltong taste like?
Biltong generally has a rich, savoury and distinctly beefy flavour.
The seasoning adds depth without needing to hide the flavour of the meat. Depending on the recipe, you may notice:
Saltiness
Pepper
Coriander
A slight tang from the vinegar
Chilli heat
Concentrated beef flavour
Its taste and texture vary according to the cut, seasoning and level of dryness.
Thinner, drier pieces tend to be firmer and chewier. Softer biltong retains more moisture and offers a more tender bite.
Hi Protein Biltong is designed to deliver a tender, chewy texture across three different flavour options.
Original
keeps things straightforward. It has a classic savoury seasoning that allows the British beef flavour to remain the main event.
It is the sensible starting point for anyone trying biltong for the first time.
Salt & Pepper
Salt & Pepper delivers a familiar, balanced flavour with a stronger peppery finish.
It is uncomplicated, versatile and particularly well suited to the desk drawer. Assuming it stays there for long.
Chilli
Chilli combines the savoury beef base with jalapeño chilli for a noticeable but balanced kick.
It is made for people who want a bit more warmth without turning snack time into an endurance event.
How do you eat biltong?
Biltong and beef jerky are both dried meat snacks, but they differ in how they are prepared, cut and seasoned. Biltong originated in Southern Africa and is traditionally cured with vinegar, salt and spices before being slowly air-dried, while jerky is commonly associated with North America and is usually sliced thinly before being dried using heat. Because biltong is often dried in thicker strips, it can have a softer, more tender or chewy texture, whereas jerky is generally thinner, firmer and drier. Biltong usually has a rich, savoury and beef-led flavour, while jerky can be smoky, sweet, spicy or savoury, depending on the recipe.
Is biltong high in protein?
Because biltong is made from beef and loses moisture during drying, it can provide a concentrated amount of protein in a relatively small portion.
Hi Protein Biltong contains approximately 51% protein, with around 17g of protein in each 35g snack pack, depending on the final verified nutrition values for the individual flavour.
That makes it a convenient option for people who want to include more protein in their day without preparing a meal or mixing a shake.
Biltong can contribute protein to your diet, but it remains a snack rather than a replacement for a balanced and varied eating pattern.
What is the difference between biltong and jerky?
Biltong and beef jerky are both dried meat snacks, but they differ in how they are prepared, cut and seasoned. Biltong originated in Southern Africa and is traditionally cured with vinegar, salt and spices before being slowly air-dried, while jerky is commonly associated with North America and is usually sliced thinly before being dried using heat. Because biltong is often dried in thicker strips, it can have a softer, more tender or chewy texture, whereas jerky is generally thinner, firmer and drier. Biltong usually has a rich, savoury and beef-led flavour, while jerky can be smoky, sweet, spicy or savoury, depending on the recipe.
Is biltong high in protein?
Because biltong is made from beef and loses moisture during drying, it can provide a concentrated amount of protein in a relatively small portion.
Hi Protein Biltong contains approximately 51% protein, with around 17g of protein in each 35g snack pack, depending on the final verified nutrition values for the individual flavour.
That makes it a convenient option for people who want to include more protein in their day without preparing a meal or mixing a shake.
Biltong can contribute protein to your diet, but it remains a snack rather than a replacement for a balanced and varied eating pattern.
When can you eat biltong?
There is no complicated timetable.
Biltong can be eaten whenever you want a convenient savoury snack, including:
At work
Keep a pack in your desk drawer or work bag for the point in the afternoon when lunch feels like ancient history. It requires no preparation and will not leave crumbs all over the keyboard.
After training
A pack of biltong provides a convenient source of protein after a gym session.
For more demanding training, it can be paired with a carbohydrate-containing food and fluids as part of a more complete post-workout option.
After cycling
Biltong can be kept in your cycling kit or bag for after a commute or weekend ride.
Miles done. Pack open.
After swimming
Swimming has a habit of making people remarkably hungry.
Keeping biltong in your swim bag gives you a savoury protein option while you dry off and work out where you left your other sock.
While travelling
Individual packs are easy to carry in a handbag, backpack, work bag or car.
They are particularly useful when the available alternatives are another sweet bar or a crushed bag of crisps.
At home
Biltong also works as a simple savoury snack during a film, match or quiet evening.
Being active is not a condition of purchase.
How do you eat biltong?
Biltong is ready to eat directly from the packet, making it a convenient option for work, training, travelling or relaxing at home. You can also add it to salads, eggs or savoury snack plates, serve it with cheese and crackers, or pair it with fruit after training. For first-time buyers, eating biltong straight from the pack is the best way to experience its natural beef flavour, seasoning and chewy texture.
Which biltong flavour should beginners try?
Original is usually the best place to start because it offers a straightforward introduction to biltong’s rich beef flavour, savoury seasoning and distinctive texture. Salt & Pepper is ideal for people who prefer familiar, balanced flavours, while Chilli offers a little more warmth for those who enjoy a gentle kick. Anyone who is still undecided can try Original, Salt & Pepper and Chilli together in the Hi Protein Biltong Taster Pack before choosing a larger pack of their favourite flavour.
Is biltong a healthy snack?
Biltong can be a convenient source of protein, but whether it is suitable for your diet depends on the individual product, portion size and your overall eating habits. When choosing biltong, check the nutrition label for the protein, calories, fat, sugar and salt per serving, along with the ingredients and allergen information. Some varieties can contain relatively high amounts of salt, so it is important to consider the complete nutritional profile rather than focusing only on protein. Biltong is best enjoyed as part of a balanced and varied diet.
Ready to make biltong your go-to snack?
Biltong is seasoned, air-dried beef with proper savoury flavour, a satisfying texture and no complicated preparation. It fits easily into your work bag, gym bag, cycling kit, swim bag or kitchen cupboard, ready for the moment hunger turns up between meals.
New to biltong? Start with the Taster Pack and try Original, Salt & Pepper and Chilli to find your favourite. Once you know which flavour you keep reaching for, stock up with one of our bulk biltong packs. They are ideal for keeping your desk drawer sorted, preparing for a busy training week or making sure you always have a proper savoury snack within reach.
Looking to buy biltong bulk? Choose your favourite flavour, select the pack size that suits you and keep your Hi Protein Biltong supply well stocked.
