The 10 Best Beef Jerky Brands You Have To Try
Is there anything more satisfying than salty, chewy jerky?
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Beef jerky is basically the perfect snack. It's high in protein, good on the go, comes in tons of different flavors, and is widely available at grocery stores and gas stations. But choosing a good beef jerky can be tough (pun intended). Some brands can be pricey, so you want to make sure you get a jerky you are going to love. That's where our list of the best beef jerky brands comes in.
Our top picks
How we chose these products
We searched Amazon for the internet's most well-loved and best-reviewed beef jerky. We also got recommendations from chefs in the industry. To keep the list well-rounded, it includes beef jerky brands that range in price and come in both traditional slices and sticks. It also includes jerky that isn't beef at all, but rather plant-based or made from turkey. Some of your nostalgic childhood favorites might be on this list, and we bet there are a few brands you may not have tried yet. Without further ado, here are the best beef jerky brands you have to try the next time that craving hits.
Looking for more meats? Check out our list of the best meat subscription boxes to get protein sent to your door monthly. Or if you are looking for some meaty recipes, check out this gallery of high protein meat dinners.
Jack Link's Beef Jerky has 23,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. People love this stuff. "The flavor and tenderness of this jerky snack is awesome," this reviewer said. "The individual packages make sure you get fresh tasting jerky. My favorite."
“This jerky has a smoky, clean mouth feel that's not greasy with its aftertaste," said Andrew Court, executive chef of The InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. "This is a great snack for an afternoon with cold beverages or for a boost of energy while hiking.”
"I love this particular brand because they have many flavors and choice of meat cut,” said Mike Alaridi, chef de cuisine at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar. He's right. Survival Foragers beef jerky is made with gourmet brisket and comes in four different flavors—smokey sriracha, cracked black pepper, original, and teriyaki.
Beef jerky in stick form can be more portable and fun to eat. We love The New Primal Classic Beef Meat Stick because it's paleo, keto, Whole30, made from grass-fed beef, and comes in several different flavors. "They taste like delicious pure beefy goodness," a reviewer wrote. "They taste clean instead of being weirdly spiced. Other meat sticks gave me indigestion after eating and Primal was the first one that didn't!"
The most common gas-station jerky brand is easily Slim Jim. And Amazon reviewers love it. These meat sticks have almost 9,000 five-star reviews. "As a child 40 years ago, I used to see these in the corner sweet shop," this reviewer reminisced. "After getting this box, it is everything I hoped it would be. The taste is fantastic."
This beef jerky from Epic Provisions is made with 100 percent grass-fed wagyu beef. "Great taste and fair price, these are a huge upgrade from the typical meat snacks available in gas stations or convenience stores," this reviewer said.
Jerky Gent brings together brands from all over the country in one subscription service. Every month, you'll taste two to eight different brands of beef jerky with the ability to add in spiciness and flavor preferences."Great variety of flavors and get a good amount for the money," a reviewer said. "[I] would definitely recommend."
You might not think that plant-based beef jerky could be good. Primal might just change your mind. These are made from a plant-based protein and come in lots of zingy flavors: mesquite lime, spicy, Thai peanut, barbecue, hot, hickory smoked, and teriyaki.
"The flavor and texture are excellent," one reviewer said. "I gave up meat nearly six years ago, and this is a great substitute for anyone who is vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to kick eating meat altogether."
Sometimes jerky made from beef is just too heavy. That's when you turn to turkey jerky. Besides having a very fun name, this Think Jerky version is low-fat, low-carb, low-sodium, and low-calorie.
"I am already on my third order," this reviewer admitted. "This stuff is delicious — it may be the best jerky I have ever had."
Buffalo Bills 16oz Premium Hickory Beef Jerky Pieces
If you want your jerky to taste like it's fresh off the smoker, try Buffalo Bills. It's made with premium steak, marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and black pepper, and then smoked over hickory wood.
"This is a jerky with a strong taste of smoke and salt and just a hint of spice," this reviewer said. "The texture is tough without being overly leathery. One of the best jerky's I've had."
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