South African Biltong (Cured Beef)
From: South Africa
Servings:
8
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
240 minutes
Difficulty:
Medium
Ingredients
- 2 kg Beef silverside, topside, or top/bottom round
- 45 ml Brown (malt) or cider vinegar
- 45 ml Worcestershire sauce
- 40 g Coarse salt
- 3 tbsp Coriander seeds, toasted and coarsely ground
- 1.5 tsp Ground black pepper
- 1.5 tbsp Brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp Chilli flakes (optional)
- 0.25 tsp Bicarbonate of soda (optional)
Instructions
- Trim beef of silverskin, gristle, and very soft fat; leave firm fat on for flavor.
- Slice along the grain into strips about 2-2.5 cm thick and 3-4 cm wide.
- Lightly toast coriander seeds in dry pan until fragrant, then cool. Coarsely grind coriander and black pepper.
- Combine salt, ground coriander, black pepper, brown sugar, and chilli if using in bowl.
- In non-metallic tray, lay meat strips in single layer.
- Sprinkle or brush with vinegar and Worcestershire sauce to lightly wet surface on all sides.
- Sprinkle spice mix evenly over all sides of each strip, rubbing it in well.
- Cover and refrigerate 12-24 hours, turning and rubbing meat once or twice during curing.
- Remove meat from fridge and pat lightly dry with paper towel, leaving most spice on.
- Insert hooks or tie string through one end of each strip for hanging.
- Hang strips so they do not touch in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place or biltong box.
- Aim for about 21-27°C temperature and 50-60% humidity if possible.
- Dry for 4-10 days depending on thickness and desired doneness.
- When outside is firm and dark and inside reaches your preferred tenderness, remove.
- Slice thinly across the grain to serve.
- Store in breathable bags or containers in cool, dry place; refrigerate or freeze for longer storage.