FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS OVER $200
It is important to know how to store beef jerky and biltong correctly to ensure optimum taste and texture and of course, to ensure food safety too.
The DJays Gourmet team has put together this guide to the shelf life of beef jerky and biltong and the right storage methods for our dried meat snacks so that you can enjoy them at their tasty best for weeks and months to come.
Biltong and jerky came about because ancient cultures needed to find a way of preserving food without refrigeration. Both jerky (from South America) and biltong (from South Africa) were developed as dehydrated ‘survival’ foods which could last for extended periods without spoiling.
Centuries later, jerky and biltong are one of the world’s favourite snacks because of their protein-rich nutritional profile, their extended shelf life and their ‘anywhere, anytime’ convenience.
However, even though these two savoury supersnacks are cured and preserved, they are still affected by light, heat, moisture and the passage of time and they need to be stored correctly.
As described earlier, jerky and biltong are ‘same, same but different.’ Both are dried meats, but the difference comes from the way they’re prepared and produced.
We make our famous DJays beef jerky by first marinating, then cooking and dehydrating thin strips of premium Aussie beef over low heat. On the other hand, our production process for beef biltong involves curing large chunks of beef in a salt, vinegar and spice mix before air-drying the product naturally.
There is a difference in how to store biltong and beef jerky – and this guide tells you all you need to know about when to keep these products in the pantry vs the fridge, as well as the different storage methods and timelines for opened vs sealed packets.
For the best storage however, all products should be kept away from direct sunlight.
If beef jerky is stored properly, it will keep for a good amount of time.
Beef jerky doesn’t require any special storage (which is one of the reasons why it’s such a popular convenience snack), but you should keep it in a container that allows some airflow.
Once the bag has been opened, the jerky will continue to dry out over time. Generally speaking, once you’ve opened a packet of jerky (and have sufficient willpower to resist eating it all at once), it will last for a week in a sealed bag or container in a cool, well-ventilated spot. The core principle is that if you have any doubt about the conditions, pop your jerky in the fridge!
If you intend keeping the jerky for longer than two weeks after opening the original packaging, we recommend keeping it in an airtight bag in the freezer.
We know biltong differs from jerky in terms of the ingredients, preparation and dehydration method, but does this mean biltong has to be stored differently?
There are different types of biltong and each has its own optimum storage method.
The first and most obvious thing to do when it comes to storing biltong is to read the package instructions and check the use-by date. Our JDays products generally have a six-month shelf life in their original sealed bags – and all our packaging is date-stamped.
When properly stored, our biltong will keep for a good amount of time. However, it’s important to know that the main enemies when it comes to biltong storage are excess moisture, heat, light and a lack of airflow.
Moist and medium biltong can be kept for a day or two in the fridge once the pack has been opened. If you haven’t munched it all after two days, it should then be stored in an airtight ziplock bag in the freezer to keep it fresh. Frozen moist and medium biltong should be consumed within four weeks of freezing.
When it comes to storing dry biltong, you should keep it an ambient environment in a container that allows some airflow. If you intend storing your dry biltong for longer than two weeks, pop it into an airtight bag and store in the freezer to avoid any flavour deterioration.
Snapsticks should also be kept in an ambient environment in a container that allows some airflow.
If you intend storing your snapsticks for longer than two weeks, they should be transferred into an airtight bag and stored in the freezer to preserve the flavour. Defrost overnight in the fridge – never in the microwave!
Droewors – the traditional South African dried sausage – can also be stored for up to a week in the fridge. However, the droewors will continue to dry out during this time. To prevent it from doing so, pop it into an airtight bag and store in the freezer. And to enjoy your DJays droewors at its snappy, chewy best, simply defrost in the fridge overnight.
Should I store biltong in the fridge?
One of the myths about refrigerating biltong is that this will affect the taste and texture of the product. This is absolutely untrue. Storing biltong in the fridge or freezer is the best way to ensure that its savoury deliciousness, chewy texture and nutritional integrity is maintained.
If you are going to store your biltong in the freezer, try and remove as much air from the bag as possible to prevent any water crystals forming on the product. Better still, vacuum-pack your biltong or jerky before freezing.
One of the joys of biltong and jerky is their longevity. They are shelf-stable, which means they can last unopened for months without needing refrigeration (under the right atmospheric conditions of course).
Sealed packets of biltong and jerky can go anywhere…on a road trip, to the gym, to the footy, to work, to school…and they maintain their freshness, flavour and texture for up to six months.
But what to do once you’ve opened your bag of biltong or jerky?
Once the bag has been opened and air has been let in, the type of packaging and the storage method become really important.
The manufacturing process of jerky results in a cooked product and it doesn’t require any special storage. You can keep it in its original packaging but it important to allow some airflow.
On the other hand, biltong is a cured meat and once the original bag has been opened, it should ideally be transferred to a paper bag or wrapped in paper towel and popped in the fridge. Eat within two days. When freezing biltong, put it in an airtight ziplock bag and, squeeze out as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.
With all products however, it is important to keep them out of direct sunlight.
Have a look at our FAQs on our website for a summary of how to store biltong and beef jerky.
You’re also welcome to contact us if you have any particular questions on how long beef jerky lasts or what the shelf life of these products are. We’d be more than happy to help. After all, DJays Gourmet has been making Australia’s best biltong and jerky for nearly three decades, so we’re the experts when it comes to storing these super snacks so that they’re always at their tasty best!
Arron Zamel has been General Manager of DJays Gourmet since 2015 and under his expert leadership, the company has cemented its reputation as Australia’s leading supplier of packaged jerky and biltong.
His strong family connection to South Africa, his marketing and management degree from Monash University, his technical expertise plus his experience as a successful entrepreneur and import/export business owner made him the ideal candidate for the challenging position.
Additionally, Arron’s innovative approach to management, his proven brand-building credentials, his strong customer focus and youthful energy have ensured that DJays Gourmet’s high-quality biltong and jerky have become Australia's dried meat treats of choice.
He understands traditional South African flavours and the precision techniques required to create truly authentic biltong, jerky and droewors (dried sausage). Part of his job is overseeing operations at DJays' purpose-built facility in Perth, WA where tons of Australian beef goes into making premium dried meat products each month for distribution to retail and wholesale customers across Australia.
For more insights into Arron’s world, visit the DJays Gourmet website, check out their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram @djaysgourmet.