Ask ten South Africans what makes the best biltong and you’ll probably get ten different answers.

Some want it soft and moist, with a deep red centre. Others won’t touch it unless it’s properly dry. Some look for generous pieces of fat, while others want their biltong as lean as possible. Then there’s seasoning — plain, chilli, spicy, BBQ — and everyone seems to have their favourite.

And that’s really the point.

The best biltong isn’t necessarily one particular style. It’s the biltong you actually enjoy eating.

Start With the Meat

Whatever your preference, good biltong starts with good beef.

The meat should still be the star of the show. Seasoning can add character, but it shouldn’t need to hide what’s underneath.

When you bite into quality biltong, you should get a rich beef flavour, balanced seasoning and a satisfying texture — not just salt and spice.

Moist or Dry?

This is probably one of the biggest divides among biltong lovers.

Moist biltong

Moist biltong retains more moisture through the centre, giving it a softer texture and richer appearance.

If you enjoy tender biltong with a little more give when you bite into it, this may be your preference.

Dry biltong

Dry biltong has been allowed to lose more moisture, producing a firmer texture and more concentrated bite.

For some people, that proper dry chew is exactly what biltong should be.

Neither is automatically better.

They’re simply different ways to enjoy the same product.

Lean or Fatty?

This one can divide a room just as quickly.

Lean biltong gives you mostly meat, with very little visible fat.

Fatty biltong includes more of the natural beef fat, which many biltong lovers specifically look for because of the richness it brings.

Then there are the people who want that elusive piece with just the right amount of fat running along the edge.

Again, there isn't a correct answer.

Then Comes the Flavour

Traditional plain biltong keeps things simple and lets the beef and seasoning do most of the talking.

But plenty of people prefer something with a little more personality.

You might enjoy:

• Plain for a traditional, savoury flavour
• Spicy for a fuller seasoning profile without overwhelming heat
• Chilli when you actually want a kick
• BBQ for something richer and slightly different from traditional biltong

Finding your favourite is part of the fun.

Texture Matters More Than People Think

Two pieces of biltong can use similar ingredients and still feel completely different when you eat them.

Thickness, drying time, fat content and the original cut of meat all influence the final texture.

Some people want thin slices that are easy to snack on. Others prefer thicker cuts with considerably more chew.

There’s also droëwors and biltong sticks such as Snapstix for people who prefer a firmer, grab-and-go snack.

So when somebody tells you where to find the best biltong, it’s worth asking:

Best for whom?

What Should You Look for in Good Biltong?

Personal preference aside, there are a few things worth looking for.

Good biltong should have:

• A clear, enjoyable beef flavour
• Seasoning that complements rather than overwhelms the meat
• A texture appropriate to the style you ordered
• Consistent preparation
• Freshness
• The moisture and fat level you actually asked for

That last point matters.

A beautiful piece of fatty moist biltong isn't going to impress somebody who wanted lean and dry.

Quality and preference are related, but they aren't the same thing.

So, What Is the Best Biltong?

We don't think anybody can answer that for you.

South Africans have been arguing about moist versus dry, lean versus fatty and the right amount of chilli for longer than we'd care to settle.

What we can do is give you the choice.

At Shirwood, our sliced biltong can be ordered according to your preferred finish, fat level, pack size and flavour, so you're not simply buying somebody else's idea of what biltong should be.

Because the best biltong is probably the one made the way you like it.

Find Your Shirwood Favourite

Explore Plain, Spicy, Chilli and BBQ sliced biltong, or discover our Droëwors and Snapstix range.

SHOP BILTONG