How to Store Biltong
Biltong is a cured and air-dried product. This preparation process extends the shelf life, however it is still a perishable meat product, so care should always be taken to ensure safe consumption. Here are some basic guidelines and recommendations for storing biltong.
We recommend consuming biltong within 3 days (That is, 3 days from opening a pre-packaged bag of biltong, or 3 days from purchasing fresh biltong from our factory store).
For biltong slices, we recommend following these general handling rules:
Keep biltong in a breathable receptacle once opened. We recommend a paper bag. Avoid using plastic bags or plastic containers.
Keep in a cool, dry area, with air-flow. Storing on the kitchen bench is usually better than in a cupboard or pantry where there may be limited air-flow. Humidity is your enemy.
Avoid direct sunlight or heat. Biltong can sweat and moisture build-up can lead to spoilage.
Shake it up! Give the bag a shake at least once a day to give the slices some ‘air’ to keep the slices separated. This will help reduce any build up of moisture or sweaty conditions in the bag.
Biltong can be refrigerated, although we still recommend that it’s stored according to the instructions above. Even though it is refrigerated, it still need needs to be consumed within 3 days.
Biltong can be frozen. On those rare occasions when you can’t eat all the biltong or if you want to save some for a later date, biltong can be frozen in an airtight container (zip lock bag, sealed plastic container or vacuum-sealed pouch). You can keep it in the freezer for up to 12 months. When defrosting we recommend opening the container to allow the biltong to 'breathe.’ This will happen quickly as biltong has less water content. As above, consume within 3 days after defrosting.
Biltong stokkies and Biltong mini-sticks are generally drier than our slices and therefore a lot easier to maintain. We still recommend consuming the product within 3 days of opening but it can be kept in a paper or plastic bag or container.