How to make South Africa’s Best Biltong – Step-by-Step Guide
Biltong isn’t just a snack in South Africa—it’s a culinary tradition and a craft perfected over generations. Whether you’re craving rich, smoky beef biltong or the unique spice of game meat, making it at home allows you to control every detail—from the cut of meat to the seasoning and drying process.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to make South Africa’s best biltong in your kitchen. Plus, we’ve included a step-by-step how-to video, so you can follow along and see exactly how it’s done.
Essential Biltong Spices
The secret to great biltong is in the spice mix. Northern Food Ingredients offers high-quality spices to create the perfect flavour.
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Coarse Salt: Draws out moisture and enhances taste.
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Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth.
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Coriander Seeds: Toasted and crushed for a classic aromatic flavour.
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Brown Sugar: Optional, adds a hint of sweetness.
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Chilli Flakes or Paprika: For a spicy kick.
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Garlic Powder: Adds richness and complexity.
Pro Tip: Use Northern Food Ingredients’ pre-blended biltong spice mixes for convenience, or mix your own using their high-quality individual spices. Proper seasoning ensures every bite is tender, aromatic, and authentically South African.
Buy All Your Biltong Essentials Online
Northern Food Ingredients makes it easy to buy everything you need for home biltong online. From spices and marinades to premium vinegars and seasonings, you can get high-quality ingredients delivered straight to your door.
Shopping online allows you to stock up without compromising on authenticity, making it simple to enjoy traditional South African biltong at home.
How to Make Biltong at Home
Making biltong is easier than most people think. Follow these steps for tender, flavour-packed results.
1. Choose the Right Cut of Meat
Silverside beef is the most popular choice for its tenderness and moisture retention. Trim excess fat and slice meat into uniform pieces about half an inch thick for even drying.
2. Prepare the Marinade
Use Northern Food Ingredients’ pre-measured spice mixes. For each kilogram of meat, follow the recommended quantity on the packaging. Add a splash of white vinegar or Worcestershire sauce to help with curing and flavour depth.
3. Cure the Meat
Thoroughly coat meat in the spice mix. Place slices in a clean, non-reactive tray and refrigerate for 12–24 hours. This allows the spices and vinegar to fully penetrate, giving biltong its signature flavour.
4. Dry the Biltong
Hang strips on plastic biltong hooks (available from Northern Food Ingredients) in a controlled drying area. At home, a dehydrator or well-ventilated space with a fan works well. Dry for 2–3 days depending on your preferred texture.
5. Slice and Serve
Once firm but not brittle, remove the biltong. Slice thinly using a biltong slicer (also available online). Enjoy as a snack, on a platter, or paired with drinks.
Everything You Need in One Place
Northern Food Ingredients supplies all the essentials for high-quality biltong—spices, vinegars, marinades, drying hooks, and slicers. With their products, anyone can make authentic, flavourful biltong to enjoy or share.
How to make Biltong Video below:
FAQ – Making Biltong at Home
Q: How long does biltong take to dry?
A: Drying typically takes 2–3 days depending on thickness and humidity.
Q: Can I use other meats?
A: Yes! Beef is most common, but game meats like ostrich or venison are also excellent.
Q: Do I need special equipment?
A: A simple fan or dehydrator works for home setups. Biltong hooks and slicers from Northern Food Ingredients make the process easier.
Q: How should I store homemade biltong?
A: Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Vacuum sealing extends shelf life.
