What Is The Difference Between Wet And Dry Biltong?

When it comes to biltong we all have our different preferences, some people like it traditional, and some like it with nuanced spices and flavours. There are also those who like it thinly sliced and others thick and chunky. And while we are talking about different tastes, there is also the phenomenon of preferring wet or dry biltong. What exactly is the difference?

The difference between wet and dry biltong lies in the moisture content, being that wet biltong has more moisture and dry biltong has very little. The amount of moisture content in the biltong is dependent on the biltong’s drying time. Wet biltong has a shorter drying time, so the biltong has more moisture remaining. In the same regard, the longer biltong dries, the dryer it will be.

There is also a texture difference when comparing wet to dry biltong. Wet biltong is tender and juicy, whereas dry biltong is tough and chewy. You can compare wet biltong to a medium steak, which is easy to bite through as it is tender and moist. Dry biltong is the traditional style, which is tougher to bite through and takes more time to chew.

Wet biltong is a modern style of biltong, as meat doesn’t need to be dried for long-term preservation (since the introduction of fridges). And while we can choose between wet and dry biltong today, many people still adore the dry, chewy version.

Table of Contents

What Does Wet And Dry Biltong Mean?

If you’ve always just bought the biltong available in your local grocery store you may not have heard (or tried) the difference between wet and dry biltong. I can assure you there is a big difference and it is worth trying the best of both worlds.

Wet biltong means that the meat has lost 40-50% of its original raw weight after the drying process. Dry biltong means the meat has less moisture, and has lost 60-70% of its original raw weight. Wet biltong is also referred to as soft biltong as it is moist and tender, whereas dry biltong is hard and tough to chew.

Wet biltong usually dries between 2-3 days but this varies with how thick you cut your biltong, if you want wet biltong it can be beneficial to cut your biltong thicker (3-4 cm). To help you decide if your biltong is dry enough for your taste preferences here is a helpful article.

Dry biltong can be dried anywhere from 4-7 days depending on the thickness of your meat. If you want dry biltong and want it ready fairly quickly, you can cut your slices thinner to around 1cm thick. This will provide you with dry biltong within 2-3 days. (I wrote this article on the ideal thickness to cut biltong if you need more information).

It is also relevant to mention that dry biltong is most often sliced very thinly or shaved, which makes it easier to chew through and enjoy. Wet biltong is usually cut thicker once it’s dried and enjoyed for its succulent texture and juicy flavours.

Is Wet Biltong Better Than Dry Biltong

Some people like their biltong almost raw with the minimal possible amount of drying, others like it so dry that it breaks up into crumbs between your fingers.

Distinguishing between whether wet biltong is better than dry biltong is completely down to your personal tastes and preferences. You will only know if wet is better by trying it for yourself and then comparing the two. Personally, I love both wet and dry but usually lean toward a dryer style of biltong.

A technique I usually follow, that allows me the best of both worlds, is to dry half of by batch for 2-3 days and leave the rest to dry for 4-5 days. This way I can enjoy biltong after a small amount of time waiting, and then have more delicious biltong in a few more days.

Can Biltong Be Too Wet?

For people who like their biltong tender and moist, you probably want to know how wet you can have it, and importantly, can it be too wet?

Wet biltong is achieved by a shorter drying time, but there is a crucial time period necessary for the meat to properly cure. This is important for safety purposes and to prevent food spoilage. Therefore, wet biltong should be dried for a minimum of 24 hours for it to be dried enough to cure correctly.

It can be tempting to try drying your biltong less and less over time, just remember for safety reasons and if you want to keep your biltong outside of the fridge, to dry for a day at least. If you need your biltong dried quickly, try cutting it very thin, around 1cm, which will give you biltong In less than a day.

How Long Does Wet Biltong Last?

Wet biltong will last as long as dry biltong, but will continue to dry out once it’s cut up and stored. If there is good ventilation, such as a brown paper bag or an open container, the biltong will continue to dry and will last up to 7 days. If you place your biltong in a vacuum-sealed bag in the fridge or freezer, you can keep your biltong for months at a time and it will remain ‘wet’.

(For more information on how long biltong lasts and how to keep it fresh longer, have a read of this article).