The Health Benefits of Biltong

Is biltong healthy? Here is what is actually in the bag.

Biltong is quality beef and authentic South African spices, air-dried slowly rather than cooked or smoked, with no added sugar. That short label is the whole reason it stacks up well against most snacks on the shelf. Here is what that means in numbers, and where we will be straight with you rather than sell you something. The full ingredient declaration for each cut is printed on its pack.

1. Protein dense, not protein flavoured

Drying removes most of the water, so what is left is concentrated beef. A 28g serving of our Lean Biltong carries roughly 16g of natural protein at about 80 kcal. That ratio is hard to match with a bar or a biscuit, and it is why biltong ends up in gym bags, padel bags and office drawers.

2. No added sugar

Our spice cure has nothing sweet in it, so nothing sweet comes out. This is one of the real differences between biltong and most beef jerky, which is usually cured in a sugary marinade.

3. Very low in carbohydrates

Around 1g of carbohydrate per 100g. That makes it a straightforward fit for low-carb and keto eating without any mental arithmetic.

4. Air-dried, never fried

We hang whole pieces of quality beef in state-of-the-art drying cabinets in Kampen and let time do the work. No frying, no smoke, no shortcuts. Air-drying is the oldest preservation method there is, and it is still the best one for texture and flavour.

5. A natural source of iron

Beef is one of the better dietary sources of iron, and drying concentrates it. A 28g serving covers a meaningful share of the daily value.

Now the honest part: fat and salt

Not all biltong is lean, and we are not going to pretend otherwise. Our Lean Biltong is cut from topside and comes in at around 2g fat per 28g serving. Our Sliced Fatty Biltong is cut from Black Angus silverside and keeps its fat cap on, because that fat is what carries the spice and gives it that buttery chew. Lean when you want it, fatty when you do not care. Both are real food, and both are on the label.

Biltong is also salty. That is the preservation method, not an additive dropped in at the end. If you watch your sodium closely, treat biltong as your salty moment of the day and portion accordingly.

What biltong is not

• Not a medicine. It is dried beef. It fits a way of eating; it does not treat anything.
• Not zero calorie. Around 80 kcal per serving is low, not nothing. Portions still count.
• Not for vegans. Obviously.

Exact nutrition values and the full ingredient list are printed on every pack, because both change a little between cuts. If you want the breakdown before you order, it is on each product page.