1 Zone / 10 Tray / 0.6m² Tray Area - Biltong Bundle
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- 5 kg beef, sliced into 2.5 cm thick strips
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon ground coffee (espresso fine)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 150 ml balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
- 5 kg beef, sliced into 2.5 cm thick strips
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon ground coffee (espresso fine)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 150 ml balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
- Combine vinegar, coffee, cocoa powder, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt in a bowl.
- Place beef strips in a glass container and pour the marinade over them, ensuring even coating.
- Cover and refrigerate for 12–24 hours, turning occasionally.
- Remove meat from marinade and pat dry, preserving the seasoning.
- Hang the strips on hooks in your dehydrator.
- Dehydrate at 30°C (86°F) for 24–72 hours, depending on thickness and desired dryness.
- Test by pinching; the biltong should be firm with no give.
- Once cured, slice into bite-sized pieces and enjoy!
Create your perfect biltong recipe
Origins of biltong
Biltong is a cured and dried meat product that developed in Southern Africa. Traditionally, biltong was air dried in the hot African sun, but modern production now tends to use the more consistent and predictable method of a dehydrator.
The word biltong is Afrikaans and is derived from the Dutch words ‘bil’ (meaning buttock) and ‘tong’ (literally meaning tongue, but also used to mean strip). Biltong today is usually taken to mean long strips of spiced and dried meat.
What are the best meats for biltong?
The most widely used meat for biltong is beef, but you can feel free to experiment. Other popular choices include lamb, game meats like venison, and kangaroo is definitely an option for an Aussie spin on a South African classic.
Similarly to making jerky, the best choices for making biltong are lean cuts as fat can go rancid and ruin your biltong or reduce its shelf life.
Preparation considerations
One of the most important things when making biltong is to make sure your meat is cut into thin strips. This helps to reduce the drying time. Usually for biltong, long strips of meat are used, with meat cut along the grain, but you can absolutely experiment with cutting across the grain to see which result you prefer.
The other critical thing to remember when making biltong is that the environment must be dry. You’re looking to replicate the dry heat of Southern Africa. Meat and Livestock Australia recommends drying biltong at around 30°C with high air movement. For biltong that is intended for commercial production, the best way to ensure a consistent temperature and safe final product is through a dehydrator where temperature and humidity can be controlled.
Unlike jerky, biltong is usually dried with the meat hanging from hooks rather than flat on trays. When choosing your dehydrator, make sure it can be used in this way if you want a traditional biltong result.
We recommend our Biltong Range of Dehydrators - Click here to shop now.
Flavour and nutrition considerations
One of the great joys of making biltong at home is customising it to your taste and nutritional needs. While traditional biltong uses vinegar, coriander, salt and pepper, home batches give you the freedom to play with flavour profiles—from smoky and spicy to herbaceous or sweet.
You can also experiment with how much salt or sugar you include, giving you control over sodium and carbohydrate levels. Biltong is naturally high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and can be a clean snack when made without preservatives or artificial ingredients. Using grass-fed or organic meats can further improve the nutritional quality of your final product.
Try adding a touch of garlic for immune support, chilli for a metabolism boost, or even turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties. Native Australian ingredients like wattleseed or lemon myrtle can also bring unique flavours and functional health benefits.
Spice up your biltong
Preparing biltong for drying involves marinating in a vinegar base, combined with salt, sugar and other spices. Coriander is usually considered essential and reflects Southern Africa’s history as being a key stop on the spice routes from Asia.
Biltong provides a great base for experimenting with different flavours and ingredients. Popular additions include smoked paprika, garlic, cumin, curry powder, and various types of chilli. For an Australian twist, try native spices like pepperberry, bush tomato, and lemon aspen.
You can also play with texture and moisture level to match your preferences—drier for a chewy snack or left slightly moist for a more tender bite. Whichever way you go, at-home biltong lets you tailor the recipe to meet both your flavour and health goals.
