Biltong vs Beef Jerky vs Meat Chips

Whether you’re following keto vs carnivore, meat-based snacks are going to be your go-to for fueling up between your main meals. Or, perhaps you’re just looking to replace unhealthy processed snacks with something more nutritious. 

Whatever the case, you’ll see three varieties commonly compared: biltong vs beef jerky vs meat chips. While they all share similar base ingredients and make for great snacks on the go, that’s mostly where the similarities end.

Beef jerky is super chewy and often features its fair share of additives, so it’s not as clean as you might assume. Biltong tends to be a bit better, but it’s very similar to beef jerky at the end of the day. On the other hand, our meat chips are in a class of their own.

Here at Carnivore Snax we make our meat chips from just two ingredients: regenerative meat and Redmond Real Salt. There are zero filler ingredients snuck in, so you can actually feel good about indulging in these high-protein low-calorie snacks.

They’ve been called meat pastries because they start out light and airy before melting in the mouth, giving way to tantalizing flavors. We think it’s a no-brainer in choosing between meat chips vs beef jerky vs biltong, but we’ll let you make your own decision - learn more below!

“A perfect way to have healthy food on the go. I’ve never liked jerky or biltong, but these are delicious. Texture is somewhere between a potato chip and bacon. Absolute lifesaver for long airplane flights/car travel, and I’m looking forward to also eating them on multiday trail runs in the summer.” - Alicia

“The Pork Loin is straight fire. Probably my favorite carnivore snack. The crunch is perfect, and they are salted to perfection. Super high in protein, and not many calories. I can’t get enough of these.” - Mateo

“The first bag I tried was the brisket. WOW!!! This is not beef jerky you get off the shelf. The flavor is amazing. My advise eat it nice and slow and savor the flavor. Like they say, you get what you pay for and its made in the USA Great Job!!!” - Marion

What Are Meat Chips?

Meat chips are a new breed of high-protein snack - the ultimate biltong or beef jerky alternative. They’re crafted from just meat and salt, nothing else. They’re clean yet undeniably delicious.

Our carnivore chips are made by slicing premium cuts of regeneratively raised meat into thin strips, lightly seasoning with mineral-rich salt (like Redmond Real Salt), and then slow-dehydrating at low temperatures. 

This method preserves the meat’s natural nutrients while transforming it into an ultra-crispy, chip-like texture. Yet, they begin melting in your mouth quickly, as the tantalizing flavors are released and you realize: this is NOTHING like beef jerky or biltong.

You get pure protein and fat in every bite, with zero carbs, sugar, or any other garbage ingredients. No marinades, preservatives, or artificial anything. It’s real food, made portable. 

Perfect for carnivore diet snacks or anytime you want something simple for on-the-go snacking. We also have a lot of customers who follow paleo, keto, Atkins, or just want to replace boring, bland, high-fat low-carb snacks with something they genuinely look forward to enjoying.

But, how do meat chips compare to biltong vs beef jerky? Let’s take a closer look below.

What is Beef Jerky?

Beef jerky is the old-school classic of meat snacks. Lean cuts of beef are marinated in a blend of soy sauce, sugar, spices, and preservatives. The meat is then smoked or dried at relatively high temperatures until it becomes chewy, shelf-stable, and snack-ready.

We totally get the appeal of beef jerky. It’s savory, salty-sweet flavor and as convenient as a meat snack gets. You can find it at any grocery store or gas station, or you can shop for more artisan-style beef jerky online. It’s great for hiking, road trips, and anytime you need fast fuel.

You can also find it in a ton of different varieties, from classic teriyaki to black pepper, habanero, and so many other exciting flavors. Therein lies the problem with beef jerky, though. The ingredients used to make it taste good.

Most mainstream brands pack in unnecessary sugars, artificial flavors, and preservatives like sodium nitrite. Even “natural” options can include questionable ingredients or cheap protein sources.

Plus, not everyone enjoys the fight of chewing through beef jerky. It can take quite a toll on your jaw, depending on the specific jerky. It also leaves you incredibly thirsty and trying to pull pieces of meat out of your teeth. No thanks. 

Beef jerky gets the job done, don’t get us wrong. But in comparing beef jerky vs biltong and meat chips, we put it in last place, personally. How does biltong stack up, though?

What is Biltong?

Biltong is a bit newer on the meat snack scene, but it’s actually got quite the history in South Africa. It’s made by air-drying thick cuts of meat over the course of several days. 

That’s a big difference between biltong vs beef jerky - there is no cooking or smoking involved here. Instead, the meat is cured in vinegar and seasoned with a mix of spices like coriander, black pepper, and salt before being hung to dry.

The end result is a really unique flavor profile: it’s slightly tangy, slightly spiced, and rich in umami. It’s also a lot more tender than beef jerky from a texture standpoint, which is part of the appeal. The meat is sliced thicker so it holds onto more fat and moisture.

Another benefit of biltong? It usually has fewer additives, especially when made by smaller, craft producers. Still, you won’t find biltong on the approved carnivore diet food list because of some of those ingredients used, namely vinegar and spices.

Wait, is biltong good for you? It’s definitely a step up from beef jerky, but a far cry from how good meat snacks can be when you compare it side by side with meat chips. 

On that note, let’s see how all three varieties stack up with a side-by-side showdown of biltong vs beef jerky vs meat chips. 

Biltong vs Beef Jerky vs Meat Chips: Which is the Superior Snack?

Be clear - all players in our beef jerky vs biltong vs meat chips comparison are better options than the typical snacks you’ll find in the average American pantry: potato chips, candy bars, etc. 

But you can’t afford to settle for anything less than the best when you’re following a strict carnivore meal plan, or simply looking to improve your health through smarter nutritional choices. Here’s what you need to know about biltong vs beef jerky vs meat chips.

Taste

Let’s start with the taste test. While this is definitely subjective, there are clear distinctions between beef jerky vs biltong vs meat chips.  

Beef jerky is usually bold and smoky, with sweetness from marinades like soy sauce, brown sugar, or honey. Biltong is more savory and tangy from its vinegar cure and spice blend. Think coriander and black pepper with a richer meat-forward profile.

In contrast, meat chips deliver pure, unaltered flavor. No sweetness or vinegar bite. You’ll get nothing but that satisfying, umami-rich taste of real, high-quality meat with a touch of mineral salt. A no-brainer if you like your food to taste like food rather than flavored candy or spiced vinegar strips. 

Texture

There are also nuances in texture between biltong vs beef jerky vs biltong, and this is just as important as taste since it’s part of the enjoyment of food.

Beef jerky is our least favorite in this aspect as it’s notoriously chewy and tough. It can really wear out your jaw, especially if it's been sitting on a shelf for a while. Biltong is way more tender and fibrous, but even it can still be tough in thick cuts or lower-end versions. 

Meat chips are the outlier here, as they’re crisp and light, almost like a potato chip that’s been made out of meat. But shortly after that initial, delightful crunch, they begin melting in your mouth, kind of like a meat pastry. 

There’s zero jaw fatigue. Just a one-of-a-kind texture you won’t get with biltong vs beef jerky. It’s the only one that feels like a treat and not a chore to chew.

Ingredient Quality

Quality of ingredients matters most in our opinion, especially if you’re trying to abide by the carnivore diet rules. This is also where the divide really starts to show between beef jerky vs biltong vs meat chips.

Again, jerky comes in last place here as it’s almost always made with sugar, soy, preservatives, and artificial flavorings. Yes, even the “healthy” ones. You’ll have to dig deep to find something that meets your standards if you actually care about what you put in your body.

Biltong is usually better from an ingredient perspective as it avoids sugar. Still, carnivores can’t fit it into their diet as it contains vinegar, spices, and sometimes seed oils. It’s not always as clean as it appears.

On the other hand, meat chips are as clean as it gets. Like we said earlier, there are literally just two ingredients in every bag: regeneratively raised meat and Redmond Real Salt. No mystery marinades, additives, preservatives, or other nasties. Just stuff your body and mind need.

Nutritional Profile

All three snacks are high in protein, but there’s nuance. Jerky usually comes from lean cuts and loses a good amount of nutritional value during high-heat processing. Plus, the added sugar and preservatives can offset some of the benefits.

Biltong is slightly better as it’s air-dried and retains more fat, which can help you feel fuller, longer. Again, though, meat chips go much further in this aspect. 

That’s especially true with certain varieties, like our ribeye chips or brisket chips. These have much more complete protein but also plenty of healthy animal-based fats. This boosts satiety even further and gives your body fat-soluble vitamins with a better amino acid profile and micronutrient density.

Shelf Stability & Portability

All three are shelf-stable and portable, which is why they’ve become staples for travel, hikes, and post-gym snacks. 

Jerky tends to come in resealable bags and travels well. Biltong does too, although it can spoil faster if the fat content is high. Meat chips hold up just as well over time. This is the one aspect of biltong vs beef jerky vs meat chips where it’s actually a wash! 

Cost Considerations

This is the one key area where meat chips fall short of beef jerky vs biltong: cost. There’s no doubt about it, they’re the most expensive of the three meat snacks. But we want to address the elephant in the room: you get what you pay for.

Beef jerky seems cheap, but you need to look at the price per ounce of actual meat, and it’s often not a bargain. Plus, you’re paying for sugar, fillers, and water weight. Biltong sits in the middle of beef jerky and meat chips as far as cost goes.

That said, every bag of Carnivore Snax starts with a full pound of real, whole-muscle meat. We source our meat from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms in the world, too - using the best meat for carnivore diet is a standard we refuse to compromise on, and it doesn’t come cheap.

At the end of the day meat chips offer the best value for the money when you care about clean ingredients, nutrient density, and how your food is sourced. They’re not cheap, but they’re worth every penny. Don’t just take our word for it. Experience the difference firsthand. 

Bringing Our Beef Jerky vs Biltong Comparison to a Close

That does it for our biltong vs beef jerky vs meat chips comparison. While these are all lumped together in the same category, we hope you have a clear understanding of the nuances between them.

Beef jerky and biltong each have their place, but they come with compromises, be it added sugars, tough textures, or questionable ingredients. Meat chips are in a league of their own. They’re lean, satisfying, nutrient-dense fuel made from just meat and salt.

Carnivore Snax is easier to digest, more enjoyable to eat, and better aligned with whole-food eating. From our steak chips to our lamb chips, there’s something for everyone at Carnivore Snax. Try them yourself and see what the hype is all about!

“The best. When ppl say its worth every penny, it is. I’m a big beef jerky fan, well, I used to be untill I said ill spend the money and try it. I bought I tried and I havent bought beef jerky since.” - Ron

“These are my favorite. I’m obsessed with the texture. It’s hard to describe. Not chewy, not crunchy. But a perfect crispy, gristly, chip. You have to try it to know. It’s NOT JERKY. Not even close. I am Obsessed.” - Avery