Dried meat is a bit like coffee or chocolate: you can find it all over the world, but each region has its own unique way of preparing it. Today, we're taking you on a world tour of dried beef with a stopover between two giants: South African biltong and American beef jerky .
Two meat snacks, two continents… but not quite the same recipe.
🌍 Two recipes, two continents
Biltong comes directly from South Africa , but also from Lesotho , Botswana , and Namibia . It's a South African specialty born from ancestral know-how , created out of the need to preserve meat in the vast open spaces of southern Africa. The word "biltong" comes from Afrikaans: "bil" (buttock) and "tong" (tongue/strip). Poetic, isn't it?
On the other side of the Atlantic, beef jerky is a classic on American roads. A well-known American snack on road trips and at gas stations, often sweeter, spicier, sometimes a little more “processed”.
🔍 Attention to detail
What distinguishes biltong from jerky? It all starts with the method of preparation.
Biltong is artisanal dried meat , marinated in vinegar, spices, and fresh air. The drying process gives the meat a tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture and a raw, authentic flavor that transports you with every bite.
Jerky , on the other hand, is often cooked or hot-dried , sometimes smoked. The texture is drier, firmer, and sometimes sweeter (often with additives or preservatives).
At Monsieur Biltong , we focus on natural dried meat , with no added sugar or preservatives , and sourced locally . We want each piece of meat to be a concentrate of flavor, energy, and authenticity . That's our commitment to taste.
💪 The snack that nourishes
Whether you're hiking, at the gym, or at the office, biltong and jerky are protein-rich snacks . Biltong, with its natural protein and keto/paleo-friendly profile, is a perfect time-honored fuel for all your active moments. Natural strength , a power snack , and zero guilt.
It's also a dried meat snack that easily fits in your bag: take it everywhere , without making a mess, without weighing you down. And it tastes great.
🥩 So, are you more of a biltong or jerky person?
These two meat treasures each have their own story and flavor. At Monsieur Biltong, we remain passionate about artisanal biltong , this taste from the South that we keep alive here in France.
But tell us:
👉 And you, would you be tempted by a beef jerky with Monsieur Biltong sauce?
A no-fuss, no-sugar, no-junk version… just taste and quality?
P.S .: If we ever venture into beef jerky , we won't compromise our values. No added sugar, no nitrites, no additives , made with local meat , artisanal production , and lots of love . 💛
