Beef Jerky, Pemmican, and Biltong: Which is Best for Long-Term Survival?

When considering long-term survival, each of the options—beef jerky, pemmican, and biltong—has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here's a detailed comparison of these survival foods to help you make an informed decision.

Beef Jerky

Pros: Lightweight and portable. High in protein. Long shelf life if stored properly.

Cons: Often contains preservatives and high sodium levels. Less calorically dense compared to pemmican.

Pemmican

Pros: Extremely high in calories and nutrients as it combines dried meat with fat (often tallow) and sometimes berries. Very long shelf life, capable of lasting for years if stored correctly. Good balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

Cons: Can be more complex to prepare. Not as widely available commercially.

Biltong

Pros: Similar to jerky but typically made without sugar and with less sodium. Rich in protein and can have a longer shelf life than jerky if dried properly. Often considered more flavorful due to the spices used.

Cons: May not be as calorie-dense as pemmican. Shelf life can vary based on moisture content and storage conditions.

Conclusion

For long-term survival, pepmican is generally the best choice due to its high caloric density, balanced nutrition, and extremely long shelf life. It provides essential fats and proteins necessary for sustained energy, making it particularly advantageous in survival scenarios. If pemmican is not available or practical, well-stored biltong would be a good second choice, especially for its flavor and lower sodium content compared to traditional beef jerky.

Additional Insights

Pemmican all the way! It has way more fat which isn’t that easy to come by in a survival setting and more nutrients from the berries.

While pemmican is healthier by a mile if made the usual way, being more nearly nutritionally complete, both jerky and biltong can be viable options depending on the availability and preparation methods.

Jerky reportedly tastes sweeter than biltong. Pemmican has more fat that either of the other two. To me, that would make pemmican a better source of energy for long-term survival, although it might be more difficult to store safely.

Always remember that the best survival food is one that is easy to prepare, store, and consume. Understanding the pros and cons of each option can help you choose the most suitable choice for your specific survival needs.