How to Store Biltong in a Paper Bag, Jar, Fridge, or Freezer

PDF download Download Article
Follow this guide to keep your biltong fresh and mold-free
PDF download Download Article

Biltong is a delicious cured and dried meat, but it needs to be stored correctly to ensure it doesn’t grow mold. To prevent opened biltong from going bad, keep it in a cool, dry, and well ventilated environment, like a paper bag in an air conditioned room. You can also store vacuum sealed biltong in the fridge or the freezer. Normally, biltong keeps for a few days after opening, though if you freeze it, it can last for up to a year.

Things You Should Know

  • Store opened biltong in a paper bag and keep it in a cool, dry place (less than 70º F or 20º C). Shake the bag at least once a day to expose all sides of the meat to air.
  • Store vacuum sealed biltong in the fridge for 3-6 months and in the freezer for up to a year. Write the date you put it in on the bag and check the expiration date before eating it.
  • Clean mold off of whole pieces of biltong by rinsing it with a 30% vinegar 70% water solution and wiping it dry.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Storing Biltong in a Paper Bag

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Store Biltong
    Wet biltong can quickly go bad if it doesn’t have good circulation, so store it in a clean, dry paper bag. This not only allows air to touch the biltong, it also dries the meat out even more. Keep the bag in a dark, cool area. [1]
    • You can leave the bag out on the counter or in a cabinet, as long as it’s less than 70 °F (21 °C) and out of the sun.
    • Keep the bag closed to help prevent pests.
    • Usually, biltong is sold in slices or sticks. If you have a large piece of uncut biltong, you can store it in a paper bag or wrapped in newspaper.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Store Biltong
    If your biltong is very wet, shake the bag or stir the meat several times a day. [2] For dryer biltong, like stokkies, you only need to stir it once a day. [3]
    • Mixing up the biltong allows all sides of the meat to be exposed to the air and reduces the risk of mold.
    Advertisement
  3. Biltong is dried and cured, which means it hasn’t been cooked and there are no artificial preservatives. Eat the biltong within a few days of opening it to prevent mold from ruining your South African treat. [4]
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Keeping Biltong in a Jar or Bowl

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Store Biltong
    Any excess moisture will speed up the meat’s decay, so pat dry the biltong with a kitchen towel and use a completely clean, dry container. [5]
    • Use a wooden bowl if you can, and a plastic container only if you don’t have anything else.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Store Biltong
    Don’t pack the biltong too tightly and leave some space at the top of the container so there’s good air circulation. Cover the top with a paper towel or piece of cloth. [6]
    • If you are using a jar, seal the paper towel around the top with a rubber band.
    • Sealing the container with a lid traps moisture and can cause the biltong to grow mold more quickly.
    • Eat the biltong within a few days of opening to prevent it from going bad.
    3. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Putting Biltong in the Fridge

PDF download Download Article
  1. Unopened biltong is shelf stable and can usually last 3-6 months. To extend the shelf life, put it in the fridge. [7] Check the best-by date to ensure you eat it before it goes bad.
    • You can also vacuum seal opened biltong (along with 1-2 oxygen absorbers ) and store it in the fridge.
    • You can also keep open biltong in a paper bag in the fridge for around a week. Since fridges don’t have good air circulation, keep it on the counter or in a cupboard if you can.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Store Biltong
    Take it out of its plastic packaging to prevent moisture build up. Store it in a paper bag, jar, or bowl. [8]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Store Biltong
    Open biltong lasts longer in the fridge, but probably not more than a week. Biltong mold is fluffy, white, or green. Since biltong is cured in salt, it may have white spots that aren’t actually mold. [9] If they’re crusty and flake off when you scratch them with a fingernail, they’re likely just salt.
    • Don’t eat moldy sliced biltong.
    • Vacuum sealed biltong can also grow mold, but it takes much longer (around 6 months).
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Freezing Your Biltong

PDF download Download Article
  1. Put the meat and 1-2 oxygen absorbers in a plastic bag and remove all the air. [10] You can vacuum pack with an ​​automatic machine or a manual pump .
    • If you bought it from the store in a sealed package, it is probably already vacuum-sealed.
    • Vacuum-packing and freezing may change the texture of the biltong, but it's the best way to keep it safe.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Store Biltong
    This helps keep track of how long your meat has been in the freezer. It can last up to a year. [11]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Store Biltong
    As you defrost it, keep mixing it and drying it with a kitchen towel to remove moisture. [12] You can then use the other storage methods to store it for shorter periods of time.
    • Throw away the pack if it looks baggy instead of tight before you open it. The vacuum seal may have blown, which means the meat has gone bad.
    4. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Removing Mold From Biltong

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Rinse uncut moldy biltong in vinegar and water, then let it dry. If your sliced biltong has gotten moldy, it’s sadly too late for it. However, if you have a large slab, wash off the mold with a solution of 30% vinegar and 70% water. Wipe it dry and hang it up again. [13]
    • If the mold doesn’t come off, throw the biltong away.
    • Small pieces of biltong have a small surface area to volume ratio, so mold is more likely to have infected the entire thing than if it was a large, uncut piece.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Tell if Milk is Bad
      How to
      Store Fresh Turmeric
      How to
      Tell if Your Eggs Are Fresh
      How to
      Buy a Good Avocado
      Easy Ways to Store Onions to Make Them Last Longer
      How to
      Identify Food Grade Buckets
      How Long Do Olives Last? (And How to Tell If They’ve Gone Bad)
      How to
      Store Cut Sweet Potatoes
      How to
      Select and Store Pomegranates
      How to
      Store Meringues
      How to
      Ferment Fruit
      How to
      Freeze Lemons
      How to
      Use a Butter Bell
      How to
      Store Biscuits
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/WhbtUEQ6VhE?si=0L-FC8kavYTGZ4fJ&t=15
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/WhbtUEQ6VhE?si=PwjBGz4RVtbrHNvl&t=33
      3. ↑ https://lovebiltong.co.uk/how-to-store-biltong/
      4. ↑ https://lovebiltong.co.uk/how-to-store-biltong/
      5. ↑ https://lovebiltong.co.uk/how-to-store-biltong/
      6. ↑ https://lovebiltong.co.uk/how-to-store-biltong/
      7. ↑ https://lovebiltong.co.uk/how-to-store-biltong/
      8. ↑ https://lovebiltong.co.uk/how-to-store-biltong/
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/qqE8ETRrqjY?si=QHGneIrdD2tv9xeQ&t=324
      1. ↑ https://www.kubepac.com/post/using-oxygen-absorbers-for-biltong-preservation
      2. ↑ https://lovebiltong.co.uk/store-biltong/
      3. ↑ https://lovebiltong.co.uk/store-biltong/
      4. ↑ https://lovebiltong.co.uk/store-biltong/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 57,744 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Robert Johnson

        Sep 10, 2021

        "Thanks to wikiHow I am no longer completely clueless about this!"
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement