Choosing Meat for Biltong: Best Cuts, Tips & Alternatives

Great biltong starts with great meat. The right cut of meat makes the difference between tender, flavour-packed slices and a batch that’s tough, bland, or spoils too quickly. Whether you’re chasing that traditional biltong flavour or experimenting with new spices like coriander, choosing meat for biltong carefully is where it all begins.

Why Meat Choice Matters

Picking the best meat for biltong is just as important as your spice mix or drying setup. The cut, leanness, and grain direction all affect the final result texture, chewiness, and flavour.

Choosing meat for biltong with a defined grain also makes it easier to slice and gives you that classic steak-like chew that separates biltong from jerky.

Best Beef Cuts for Biltong

Silverside (Bottom Round)

Silverside is hands-down the best beef meat for biltong. It’s lean, easy to marinate, and slices evenly along the grain. Once air-dried, it gives that unmistakable biltong flavour — firm, meaty, and full of character.

Topside (Top Round)

Another excellent cut of meat for biltong. Topside is tender, lean, and needs very little trimming. It’s ideal if you want a softer chew but still want a clean, beefy taste.

Eye of Round

Eye of round is ultra-lean and perfectly shaped for consistent strips. Just slice carefully this cut can dry fast. Get it right and you’ll have beautifully uniform, lean biltong every time.

Rump (Sirloin)

Rump is slightly more marbled, giving a richer steak-like taste. Trim off the excess fat, marinate well, and you’ll get a bolder, more indulgent biltong flavour.

Comparison of Round Cuts

Alternative Meats for Biltong

Game Meats (Kudu, Springbok, Ostrich)

Game meats are naturally lean, making them some of the best meat for biltong if you want a wild, earthy flavour. Their low fat content means they air-dry beautifully.

Poultry & Fish (Chicken, Turkey, Salmon)

Chicken breast and turkey can work, but make sure to marinate thoroughly and air-dry under safe conditions. Salmon produces a unique, softer texture almost like a fish jerky but must be eaten quickly.

Cuts to Avoid and Why

Ribeye

Delicious as a steak, but too fatty for biltong. The marbling leads to spoilage and ruins shelf life.

Brisket

Brisket needs heavy fat trimming, which makes it a poor choice when choosing meat for biltong. Even after trimming, it may dry unevenly.

Other Fatty Cuts

Any cut with thick fat caps or heavy marbling should be avoided. Excess fat slows curing, stops the air-dry process from working evenly, and risks mould growth.

How to Prepare and Slice Meat for Biltong

Trimming Fat

Trim off visible fat until the meat is as lean as possible. This step is key for lean biltong that stays fresh longer.

Cutting with the Grain

Always slice with the grain for that iconic biltong chew. Against-the-grain cuts create a texture closer to steak or jerky... not bad, but not traditional.

Ideal Thickness & Uniformity

Stick to 6–10 mm thickness for even drying. Consistency is everything, thin pieces over-dry, thick ones stay too wet in the centre.

Buying Tips: Where to Source Quality Meat

Grass-fed vs. Grain-fed

Grass-fed beef delivers deeper flavour and slightly better nutritional value, while grain-fed beef is softer and has more fat. For biltong, grass-fed often wins for its lean profile and strong biltong flavour.

Local Butchers vs. Supermarkets

Butchers are the best source if you’re serious about making biltong. They’ll help you find the best beef meat for biltong, cut it to your specs, and give tips on how to slice and marinate. Supermarkets can work in a pinch but often limit your choice of cut.

Choosing meat for biltong is the most important step in the process. Go for lean cuts like silverside or topside, slice them evenly, marinate with coriander and vinegar, and air-dry until perfect. Whether you stick with beef or try game meat or poultry, starting with the right cut of meat is the key to getting that authentic, mouth-watering biltong flavour every time.