What is Biltong?
It's not jerky. It's something older, slower, and a lot more interesting. Here's the complete guide to South Africa's most beloved snack and why it's now being made right here in Barrie, Ontario.
What exactly is biltong?
Biltong is a traditional South African dried meat snack made from whole cuts of beef, cured overnight in vinegar and spices, then hung to air-dry for 7 to 10 days. It contains no sugar, no preservatives, and no cooking. The result is a high-protein, deeply flavourful snack that has been part of South African culture for over 400 years.
The word itself is Dutch; 'bil' means rump and 'tong' means strip. Dutch and Afrikaner settlers developed the technique in the 17th century to preserve meat across the vast distances of the southern African interior. Long before refrigeration, biltong was how you kept meat safe on a journey that could take weeks.
Today, it's far more than survival food. In South Africa, biltong is a national institution sold at every petrol station, packed in every lunchbox, served at every braai. For the millions of South Africans now living across Canada, finding good biltong isn't just a food preference. It's a piece of home.
At Bokkie's, we've been making it in Barrie since 2011.
Fatty vs Lean?
One of the first things new biltong buyers discover is that it comes in more variations than they expected. The difference is not just flavour, it is texture, moisture, and the experience of eating it.
Fatty biltong is the traditional South African preference. The fat running through the meat becomes rich and almost creamy after air-drying it melts rather than chews. If you grew up eating biltong in South Africa, this is almost certainly what you remember. It is more flavourful, more satisfying, and frankly more indulgent. We strongly recommend trying it if you have not.
Lean biltong is made from trimmed cuts with minimal fat. The texture is firmer, and the flavour is cleaner. It is the preference for most first-time buyers and works well as a straightforward high-protein snack.
Moist vs Dry: biltong can be pulled from the drying process at different stages. Moist biltong is softer and more tender, with a higher water content. Dry biltong has been left longer and has a firmer, more concentrated flavour. At Bokkie's, we aim for a medium-dry finish that works for both preferences.
Why Biltong is One of the Most Nutritious Snacks You Can Eat
Biltong's nutrition profile is almost unfairly good compared to most packaged snacks. Because it is made from whole cuts of beef with no fillers, binders, or added sugars, what you get is essentially concentrated beef nutrition protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins in a portable, shelf-stable form.
Biltong is also naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and contains no nitrates, artificial preservatives, or artificial flavorings. The only ingredients are beef, vinegar, salt, coriander, and black pepper.
This makes it one of the few snacks that genuinely works across multiple dietary frameworks at once, keto, carnivore, paleo, low-carb, and high-protein, without compromise.
| Biltong | Beef Jerky | Protein Bar | Mixed Nuts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 111 kcal | 119 kcal | 120 kcal | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 22.8 g | 15.0 g | 20.0 g | 5.1 g |
| Carbs | 0.9 g | 6.6 g | 13.8 g | 6.9 g |
| Sugar | 0.5 g | 5.1 g | 4.5 g | 1.5 g |
| Fat | 3.6 g | 3.3 g | 4.0 g | 15.9 g |
| Added Sugar | None | Yes | Yes | No |
| Keto Friendly | Yes | Often No | No | Yes |
| Biltong | Beef Jerky | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 111 kcal | 119 kcal |
| Protein | 22.8 g | 15.0 g |
| Carbs | 0.9 g | 6.6 g |
| Sugar | 0.5 g | 5.1 g |
| Fat | 3.6 g | 3.3 g |
| Added Sugar | None | Yes |
| Keto Friendly | Yes | Often No |
Values are approximate per 30g serving of lean beef biltong. Actual values vary by brand and preparation.
Types of Biltong Flavours
Biltong vs Beef Jerky
The most common question we get from Canadians trying biltong for the first time is how it compares to beef jerky. The short answer: they share the same primary ingredient but almost nothing else. Biltong is never cooked or smoked; it is air-dried over 7 to 12 days using vinegar, salt, and spice. Jerky is dehydrated at high heat in a matter of hours, then typically sweetened with a marinade. The result is a thicker, more tender, less sweet product with a completely different flavour and texture.
Biltong for Keto & Carnivore Diets
Zero carbs. No sugar. No artificial anything. Just beef, vinegar, and spice. Biltong fits the keto and carnivore diet frameworks better than almost any other packaged snack available in Canada, and unlike most "keto-friendly" products on shelves, it was never engineered to fit a diet trend. It has always been made this way.
A 30g serving delivers 15–18g of protein with less than 1g of carbohydrates. There is no sugar added at any stage of the process. For keto dieters watching macros, or carnivore eaters avoiding plant-derived additives, biltong is as clean as a packaged snack gets.
Biltong for Athletes & Active Lifestyles
Post-workout, mid-hike, or in your gym bag for a long training day, biltong is the highest-protein, lowest-junk snack you can carry. Unlike protein bars that come with a lot of sugar alongside the protein, or jerky that pads out the macros with marinade and fillers, biltong is just beef. Dense, real, protein-rich beef with nothing added that does not need to be there.
It is also shelf-stable at room temperature and requires no preparation. You open the bag and eat. For athletes who plan their nutrition around real food rather than engineered supplements, biltong is a practical daily carry.
Where to buy biltong in Canada
Biltong is a deep topic. Whether you're comparing it to jerky, looking for keto snacks, or want to understand the tradition behind it, we've got a guide for that.
Order Online
The easiest way to get Bokkie's biltong is to order online at bokkiesbiltong.com. We ship across Canada with a flat shipping rate of $15 within Ontario, and $20–$30 for destinations outside Ontario. All biltong is made fresh in our Barrie facility.
Ontario Retailers
Bokkie's biltong is also stocked at select specialty retailers across Ontario: Sanagan's Meat Locker, Garrard India Bazaar, Bakkers General Store, Black Angus Fine Meats & Game
Our Barrie Butcher Shop
If you are in Barrie or the surrounding area, visit our butcher shop in person. You can buy freshly made biltong, sliced, chunky, fatty, or lean, and browse the full South African grocery range while you are there.
Everything South African, Shipped Across Canada
Biltong brought you here, but Bokkie's is so much more than a biltong shop. We stock the full South African pantry: Ouma Rusks, Mrs Balls Chutney, Freshpak Rooibos, Aromat, Nando's, Cadbury, Simba chips, potjie pots, and hundreds more SA brands, all shipped across Canada from our Barrie store. Whether you grew up with these products or you are discovering them for the first time, everything you need is in one place.
Featured product
BOKKIE'S Biltong Full Slabs 250g
$26.78 CAD
Sale price
$26.78 CAD
Regular price
Pickup available at BOKKIES WAREHOUSE
Usually ready in 2 hours
Frequently asked questions
What is biltong?
Biltong is a South African cured and air-dried beef snack with a history stretching back hundreds of years. It is made by coating strips of raw beef in a blend of vinegar, salt, coriander, and black pepper, then hanging them to air-dry slowly, typically over 7 to 12 days, until they reach the desired moisture level. The result is a thick, tender, intensely flavoured strip of dried beef with no artificial preservatives, no added sugars, and no heat applied at any stage. Unlike beef jerky, biltong is never smoked or baked. It is purely a product of time, air, and spice.
How long does it take to make biltong?
Traditional biltong takes 7 to 12 days to make from raw beef to finished product. The process starts with selecting the right cut, typically silverside or topside, then marinating in vinegar and spices before hanging in a controlled drying environment with good airflow. Over the following week to ten days, the meat loses 50–60% of its moisture content while retaining its vitamins, minerals, and natural enzymes. This slow process is what creates the distinctive tender texture and deep flavour that sets biltong apart from faster-dried products like jerky.
Is biltong healthy?
Biltong is one of the most nutritionally complete snacks available. A typical 30g serving contains approximately 15–18g of protein, less than 1g of carbohydrates, and no added sugar, making it naturally keto-friendly, paleo-compatible, and suitable for carnivore and low-carb diets. It is gluten-free, dairy-free, and contains no artificial preservatives, nitrates, or flavourings. Because it is air-dried rather than cooked, the natural enzymes and nutrients in the meat are preserved. Compared to most commercial snacks, biltong is considered a healthy snack.
Is biltong good for a carnivore diet?
Biltong is one of the most carnivore-compatible snacks you will find, nothing but beef, salt, vinegar, coriander, and black pepper. No sugar, no fillers, no artificial preservatives. For strict carnivore followers, the vinegar and coriander are worth noting as both are plant-derived, but for most carnivore dieters who allow spices and trace vinegar, biltong is as clean as a packaged snack gets.