If you’re a meat eater and looking for a savoury snack, then biltong is definitely one to try. The traditional South African snack can be enjoyed in different ways. It is a great source of protein, a quick tasty snack and can even be added to various meals such as salads.
Biltong is a traditional South African dried meat that's packed with flavour and incredibly versatile. While it's delicious eaten straight from the pack, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy it as part of a snack or meal.
From adding sliced biltong to salads and sandwiches to giving homemade pizza a South African twist, here are five simple ways to enjoy one of South Africa's best-known snacks.
Sometimes the simplest way is the best. Biltong is ready to eat, making it an easy savoury snack for work, travelling, after the gym or whenever hunger strikes.
There are plenty of cuts and formats to choose from, including sliced biltong, chunks, biltong bites and chips and convenient pre-packed biltong. If you're new to biltong, trying a few different cuts and flavours is a great way to discover your favourite.
Give your usual salad extra flavour and texture by adding thinly sliced biltong.
Both beef biltong and game biltong work well sliced over fresh leaves, tomatoes, avocado and other salad favourites. You can also experiment with different biltong flavours to change the character of the dish.
Try combining biltong with avocado, tomatoes and a simple dressing for an easy lunch, or use it to add a savoury element to a larger salad. The variety of cuts and flavours available means you can experiment with different combinations rather than making the same salad every time.
Biltong can also make a tasty alternative filling for sandwiches and wraps.
Layer thin slices with salad, cheese or your favourite sauce, then choose a biltong flavour to suit. Garlic biltong, Peri Peri biltong and chilli biltong can all add their own distinctive flavour.
For a quick lunch, pair your chosen biltong with fresh salad and your favourite bread or wrap. You can keep things simple with traditional beef biltong or choose one of the spicier varieties when you want something with a little more heat.
It's an easy way to give an everyday lunch a South African-inspired twist.
Fancy something different on pizza night? Try adding sliced biltong.
Prepare your favourite pizza as normal and add thin pieces of biltong for a rich, savoury addition. You can experiment with different flavours and pair your biltong with ingredients such as peppers, onions, cheese or chilli.
As biltong is already ready to eat, you don't need to treat it like raw meat. Adding it towards the end of cooking can help retain more of its distinctive texture and flavour.
If you're slicing a larger piece yourself, a biltong cutter or slicer makes it easy to prepare slices to your preferred thickness.
Finely chopped or ground biltong can be used as a savoury topping for all kinds of dishes.
Try sprinkling it over salads, pasta, scrambled eggs or other meals when you want to add extra texture and a distinctive biltong flavour. It's also a handy way to use smaller pieces left after slicing a larger cut.
You can experiment with the amount you add depending on whether you want biltong to be the main flavour or simply an extra finishing touch.
Different flavours can work particularly well with different dishes. Traditional beef biltong provides a classic savoury option, while chilli or Peri Peri varieties can add some extra heat.
Yes. Biltong is ready to eat, so it can be enjoyed straight from the pack without any additional preparation.
This makes it a convenient savoury snack for work, travelling or simply keeping at home for when you fancy something different. If convenience is important, pre-packed biltong provides individually portioned options that are ready to enjoy.
Biltong can be eaten on its own or paired with a wide range of foods. Try adding sliced biltong to salads, sandwiches, wraps and pizzas, or chop it into smaller pieces and use it as a topping for eggs, pasta and other dishes.
Different biltong flavours can also be paired with different ingredients depending on the meal, so there's plenty of room to experiment.
Biltong is naturally rich in protein because it is made primarily from meat. This makes it a popular choice for people looking for a convenient savoury snack.
The exact nutritional values will vary depending on the type of biltong, cut, seasoning and portion size, so check the nutritional information provided with the individual product if you're tracking your intake.
The main difference is the way the biltong is cut and served.
Sliced biltong provides thin pieces that are easy to snack on, while biltong bites and chips offer smaller ready-to-eat pieces. Biltong sticks provide a longer, firmer format for those who prefer a different texture and eating experience.
The best option comes down to personal preference, and trying different cuts is part of finding the biltong you enjoy most.
Yes. Although biltong is traditionally enjoyed as a snack, it can also be incorporated into meals.
Thin slices work well in sandwiches, salads and pizzas, while finely chopped biltong can be sprinkled over dishes as a savoury finishing ingredient.
Because biltong is already ready to eat, it will often work best when added towards the end of cooking rather than being treated like raw meat.
Alongside traditionally seasoned biltong, there are plenty of different flavours to explore.
Susmans offers options including chilli biltong, garlic biltong and Peri Peri biltong, so you can choose anything from classic and savoury to something with more heat.
Different cuts and formats are also available, allowing you to choose your preferred combination of flavour and texture.
If you buy biltong as a larger piece, you can slice it according to your preferred thickness. Thin slices tend to provide an easier bite, while thicker slices retain more of the meat's texture.
A purpose-made biltong cutter or slicer can make preparing consistent slices at home easier.
Always follow the storage instructions provided with the individual product.
As biltong is a dried meat product, storing it appropriately after opening helps maintain its quality and texture. Storage requirements can vary depending on the product and packaging, so refer to the instructions supplied with your biltong for specific guidance.
Whether you prefer eating it straight from the pack, experimenting with different flavours or adding it to your favourite meals, there are plenty of ways to enjoy biltong.
Susmans produces a range of traditional South African biltong in different cuts, flavours and pack sizes. Explore our South African biltong range to discover beef and game biltong, bites, different flavours and convenient pre-packed options.
Shop our full range of biltong - from biltong pre-packs to biltong strips, we've got a full range for any biltong lover.
