How Long Does Biltong Take To Dry?

4 to 7 daysA biltong box is simply an enclosed container where you can hang your meat to dry. It will usually have small holes on the sides and a low wattage bulb to aid the drying process which can take up to 4 to 7 days. In some cases, you can also have a fan on low blowing near the holes to have good airflow.

How do you dry biltong quickly?

To dry and store the biltong, hang the strips of meat in a biltong box or lay them on racks in the oven set at the lowest possible temperature. A fan oven is best as this circulates the heat and assists the drying process. The biltong is sufficiently dry when it has gone a little dark and stiff.

How do you know when biltong is ready?

You’ll know when the biltong is ready when it is quite hard, but still a bit moist inside. Of course, some people like it ‘wet’ and others like it ‘dry’. It’s all a matter of taste. Most South Africans I know like it in between – basically just a bit red inside.

What temperature should biltong be dried at?

30 degrees Celcius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature to dry biltong at. The air should preferably dry with good airflow.

How long does biltong take in a dehydrator?

Put each biltong onto a hook and hang it in the ‘2 Zone – 58 Hook Rotisserie’ dehydrator. It will take about 24 hours – 72 hours depending on the thickness of the meat and the fattiness, the thiner and leaner the quick it is to cure, the thicker and fattier the longer it will take for the meat to cure.

What does vinegar do to biltong?

About the marinade If biltong is marinaded, the marinade always contains vinegar to kill off potentially harmful bacteria. Some people choose to skip the marinading process and rub or rinse the meat with vinegar instead.

Can you dry biltong in the fridge?

To prevent your biltong from going moldy, keep it cool and dry. You can store your biltong in a paper bag, in a jar or bowl, in the fridge or in the freezer.

What meat makes the best biltong?

However, biltong is most commonly made today from beef, primarily because of its widespread availability and lower cost relative to game. For the finest cuts, fillet, sirloin, or steaks cut from the hip, such as topside or silverside are used. Other cuts can be used, but are not as high in quality.

What cut of meat is best for biltong?

For the finest cuts, fillet, sirloin, or steaks cut from the hip, such as topside or silverside are used. Other cuts can be used, but are not as high in quality. Biltong can also be made from: Chicken, simply referred to as chicken biltong.

Do I need a light in my biltong box?

Light bulbs aren’t needed in most cases As we mentioned earlier, you need the right heat, airflow, and moisture balance to make a success of biltong making. The ideal climate is warm (not hot), dry, with steady airflow.

What meat is best for biltong?

However, biltong is most commonly made today from beef, primarily because of its widespread availability and lower cost relative to game. For the finest cuts, fillet, sirloin, or steaks cut from the hip, such as topside or silverside are used. Other cuts can be used, but are not as high in quality.

Why does biltong go white?

All the mineral salts dissolved in the oils and juices of the meat can dry out. As the meat cures, the salts can rise to the surface and become visible. They will look like white spots on the biltong and can easily be mistaken for white mould.

Is Mouldy biltong safe to eat?

You should also throw away any batch of biltong that has colored mould – it’s only safe to attempt to salvage white mould. Some molds, like those used to make blue cheese, are safe, but most should not be consumed.

Is Wet biltong safe to eat?

Despite the absence of heat-treating to the meat, biltong is safe for almost everyone to eat– and it’s also a high protein content snack packed with nutritional goodness.

Is it cheaper to make your own biltong?

Making biltong at home is cheaper than buying it and only takes 15 mins to prepare the biltong.

Does biltong expire?

When does biltong expire? That’s the best part – it doesn’t. Because of the way biltong is cured and dried to protect it from contamination, the meat will never go bad. Of course the longer you leave it sit, the less likely it will be to hold it’s freshness and full flavor, but the meat itself will not spoil.

What is the best meat for biltong?

However, biltong is most commonly made today from beef, primarily because of its widespread availability and lower cost relative to game. For the finest cuts, fillet, sirloin, or steaks cut from the hip, such as topside or silverside are used. Other cuts can be used, but are not as high in quality.

Can biltong be raw?

Despite the absence of heat-treating to the meat, biltong is safe for almost everyone to eat– and it’s also a high protein content snack packed with nutritional goodness.

Can you eat biltong every day?

Although biltong is a nutritious snack, it’s still a good idea to eat it in moderation. Some of its ingredients may harm your health, particularly if consumed in excess.

Can I make money selling biltong?

Selling biltong is almost the same as selling meat, there is not much you can do to differentiate yourself; the success of your business relies heavily on marketing and other strategies. Making biltong is not difficult, this means that the barrier to entry is low, which means there is a lot of competition.

Why do you put vinegar on biltong?

No biltong marinade is complete without vinegar as it cures the meat as it dries and vinegar gives biltong a distinct layer of flavour, and softens up the meat to give it that steak-like mouthfeel. You can add your own unique twist to it by switching up classic vinegar for the red wine or apple cider variety.