Biltong is difficult to beat straight from the packet, but it can also be an excellent ingredient.

Its rich beef flavour, savoury seasoning and distinctive texture work surprisingly well in everything from fresh salads and sandwiches to breads, pastries and proper South African comfort food.

If you have some biltong left over — unlikely as that may be — here are 10 biltong recipes worth trying.

1. Easy Biltong Bread

Few things feel more South African than freshly baked bread with biltong involved.

This easy biltong bread recipe is a great option for a braai table, weekend lunch or something a little different to serve alongside a meal.

View the biltong bread recipe

2. Biltong Sandwich

Sometimes simple is exactly what you want.

Biltong adds loads of savoury flavour and texture to a sandwich and makes an easy lunch when you're looking for something more interesting than the usual fillings.

View the biltong sandwich recipe

3. Crumbed Biltong & Ricotta Fritters

Biltong doesn't have to be the main event to make a dish interesting.

These biltong and ricotta fritters offer a different way to work biltong into a snack, starter or sharing plate.

View the biltong and ricotta fritters recipe

4. Mini Cheese & Biltong Quiches

Cheese and biltong are a pretty natural combination.

These mini quiches make a handy option for entertaining, lunchboxes or a savoury snack when you're tired of eating biltong straight from the bag.

View the mini cheese and biltong quiche recipe

5. Biltong & Basil Paté

If you're putting together a snack board, starter or something to spread onto fresh bread or crackers, biltong paté is worth knowing about.

The combination of biltong and basil gives the familiar South African favourite a slightly different direction.

View the biltong and basil paté recipe

6. Biltong & Goat's Milk Cheese Pizzettes

Biltong works particularly well when used as a topping rather than simply eaten on its own.

These small biltong pizzettes combine it with goat's milk cheese for something a little more adventurous.

View the biltong pizzette recipe

7. Baked Potato With Mushrooms & Biltong

A baked potato is an easy base for stronger savoury flavours, which makes biltong a natural addition.

Combined with mushrooms, this is the sort of uncomplicated meal that puts biltong firmly into comfort-food territory.

View the baked potato with biltong recipe

8. Biltong & Caprese Salad

Biltong doesn't only belong in heavy dishes.

Adding sliced biltong to a Caprese-style salad gives you the freshness of a salad with the richer savoury flavour that makes the meal feel considerably more substantial.

View the biltong and Caprese salad recipe

9. Mini Vetkoek With Butternut & Biltong Paté

Now we're properly in South African territory.

Mini vetkoek paired with butternut and biltong paté brings together several familiar flavours in one dish and makes a great option for entertaining.

View the mini vetkoek and biltong paté recipe

10. Biltong Treats

Sometimes you don't need to reinvent dinner.

A simple biltong-based snack or treat is another way to use what you have at home and turn a familiar favourite into something different.

View the biltong treats recipe

Which Biltong Should You Use for Cooking?

There isn't one correct choice.

For recipes where biltong is being chopped, mixed or used as a topping, sliced biltong is usually the easiest place to start.

The flavour is really up to you:

• Plain keeps the recipe more traditional.
• Spicy adds a stronger seasoning profile.
• Chilli works when you want additional heat.
• BBQ can add a richer flavour to casual dishes and snacks.

You can also choose between moist, dry, lean or fatty biltong depending on the texture you prefer.

Don't Forget the Best Biltong Recipe

Open the packet.

Eat the biltong.

Pretend you were going to cook with it.

We won't judge.

Looking for Biltong for Your Next Recipe?

Shirwood produces traditional South African sliced biltong, droëwors and Snapstix in Cape Town, with delivery available nationwide.

Choose your favourite flavour, preferred finish and pack size, and we'll take care of the rest.

SHOP BILTONG