The Best Beef Jerky In 2022
domnitsky/Shutterstock By Brandon Schultz/May 23, 2022 2:48 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Beef jerky isn’t just a gas station impulse buy anymore. In fact, it’s a billion dollar industry in the United States alone and the fastest-growing snack category in North America, so don’t be shy about snagging a few packs before your next road trip, camping trip, or busy day of work meetings. Everyone’s doing it.
The process of making beef jerky is pretty simple: Take a lean cut of beef, season and/or cure it, then dry it. You might think that such a straightforward process wouldn’t leave much room for variation in the finished product, but you’d be wrong. From flavoring styles to drying techniques, it’s a good thing beef jerky is easy to buy online because there isn’t a supermarket aisle big enough to hold all of the available varieties anymore. Whether you’re aiming to stay true to a particular diet, are obsessed with wild flavors, or even want to share something special with your dog, it seems that everyone’s snack goals tend to be a little different these days. We’ve found the best beef jerky in 2022 in every category to give you a head start when making your next selection.
How we selected our top choices
Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
There’s a wide world of beef jerky out there, and the more this healthy snack alternative gains popularity, the more diverse the market becomes. From shape variations that include strips, sticks, and slabs, to drying techniques, flavoring preferences, and even main ingredients (not all “beef” jerky is actually made with beef), the selection is vast. Fortunately for you, we’re here to help.
To bring you the best in every category below, we started with some good old-fashioned market research, scouring reviews and comment sections not just to check out everyone’s favorites and least favorites, but to truly understand which qualities you really care about most when you’re craving a chewy chunk of beef. From there, we turned to professional reviews for general guidance to narrow down the field before settling down to some taste tests of our own. Finally, we considered everyday snackers’ observations by digging into the nitty-gritty of user reviews to help validate (or scrap) our first impressions. Here’s what we came up with. All the prices we list here were accurate as of May 2022.
Best beef jerky for the money
The New Primal
Quality beef jerky is notoriously . . . how shall we put it . . . not cheap. After all, if you’re looking for natural ingredients from reputable sources and a clean process that yields deliciously thin strips of meat with just the right seasoning, you should expect to pay a bit more than you’ll have to shell out for a bag of over-processed potato chips. But good jerky doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
The New Primal uses only grass-fed beef for its meat product. Its Beef Thins contain only beef and quality seasonings for a healthy snack free of unnecessary gunk. Snackers rave about The New Primal’s reasonable cost compared to other additive-free meat snacks, hailing the accessible price point as a much better deal than other quality beef jerky products. This may not be the absolute cheapest beef jerky product on the shelves, but cost isn’t the only factor in value, and these are the best overall value for the money. Purchase an 8-pack of The New Primal Sea Salt Beef Thins for $62.
The Best Beef Jerky In 2022
domnitsky/Shutterstock
By Brandon Schultz/May 23, 2022 2:48 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Beef jerky isn’t just a gas station impulse buy anymore. In fact, it’s a billion dollar industry in the United States alone and the fastest-growing snack category in North America, so don’t be shy about snagging a few packs before your next road trip, camping trip, or busy day of work meetings. Everyone’s doing it.
The process of making beef jerky is pretty simple: Take a lean cut of beef, season and/or cure it, then dry it. You might think that such a straightforward process wouldn’t leave much room for variation in the finished product, but you’d be wrong. From flavoring styles to drying techniques, it’s a good thing beef jerky is easy to buy online because there isn’t a supermarket aisle big enough to hold all of the available varieties anymore. Whether you’re aiming to stay true to a particular diet, are obsessed with wild flavors, or even want to share something special with your dog, it seems that everyone’s snack goals tend to be a little different these days. We’ve found the best beef jerky in 2022 in every category to give you a head start when making your next selection.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
The process of making beef jerky is pretty simple: Take a lean cut of beef, season and/or cure it, then dry it. You might think that such a straightforward process wouldn’t leave much room for variation in the finished product, but you’d be wrong. From flavoring styles to drying techniques, it’s a good thing beef jerky is easy to buy online because there isn’t a supermarket aisle big enough to hold all of the available varieties anymore. Whether you’re aiming to stay true to a particular diet, are obsessed with wild flavors, or even want to share something special with your dog, it seems that everyone’s snack goals tend to be a little different these days. We’ve found the best beef jerky in 2022 in every category to give you a head start when making your next selection.
How we selected our top choices
Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
There’s a wide world of beef jerky out there, and the more this healthy snack alternative gains popularity, the more diverse the market becomes. From shape variations that include strips, sticks, and slabs, to drying techniques, flavoring preferences, and even main ingredients (not all “beef” jerky is actually made with beef), the selection is vast. Fortunately for you, we’re here to help.
To bring you the best in every category below, we started with some good old-fashioned market research, scouring reviews and comment sections not just to check out everyone’s favorites and least favorites, but to truly understand which qualities you really care about most when you’re craving a chewy chunk of beef. From there, we turned to professional reviews for general guidance to narrow down the field before settling down to some taste tests of our own. Finally, we considered everyday snackers’ observations by digging into the nitty-gritty of user reviews to help validate (or scrap) our first impressions. Here’s what we came up with. All the prices we list here were accurate as of May 2022.
To bring you the best in every category below, we started with some good old-fashioned market research, scouring reviews and comment sections not just to check out everyone’s favorites and least favorites, but to truly understand which qualities you really care about most when you’re craving a chewy chunk of beef. From there, we turned to professional reviews for general guidance to narrow down the field before settling down to some taste tests of our own. Finally, we considered everyday snackers’ observations by digging into the nitty-gritty of user reviews to help validate (or scrap) our first impressions. Here’s what we came up with. All the prices we list here were accurate as of May 2022.
Best overall beef jerky
Righteous Felon
Fans love that it’s not just the meat that’s all-natural, but also that there’s no junk added to any Righteous Felon recipes. The lack of artificial flavorings and preservatives has even brought one home jerky chef back to buying packaged jerky, at least for Righteous Felon. Others praise the tenderness of this jerky, along with its melt-in-your mouth texture and flavorful fat content, and frequent road warriors love stocking up on Righteous Felon jerky, claiming it’s so good it should be illegal.
Best beef jerky for the keto diet
People’s Choice
People’s Choice jerky packs a keto-perfect 0 carbs and even comes with a bit of fat (2.5 grams in the Original flavor), helping to make this the top jerky choice for those sticking to the keto diet and a huge relief to those who have been stuggling to make their own in order to avoid the high carb content of many commercial jerkies. Reviewers agree that People’s Choice jerky manages to achieve a perfectly dry consistency without becoming chewy or difficult to tear, and one goes as far as to say it even offers the flavor profile of a fine steak.
Best beef jerky for the carnivore diet
Kalahari Biltong
Because so many jerkies experience a carb kick from the ingredients they’re seasoned with carnivore dieters should look to beef jerky’s close cousin, biltong, which is cured in vinegar and air-dried. True, the strictest carnivore dieters may balk at the inclusion of vinegar, but this is as close as you’ll get to enjoying jerky without breaking the diet. Zero-carb, zero-sugar Kalahari biltong is beloved for its soft, chewable slices, and if you’re afraid of making the leap from jerky to biltong, rest assured that even lifelong jerky fans agree biltong is better.
Best beef jerky for weight loss
Perky Jerky
While flavor varieties differ, Perky Jerky beef jerky snack packs are generally low in fat (typically 1 gram), low in carbs (around 6 grams), and low in sugar (the Sea Salt & Pepper variety contains just 2 grams), but high in flavor that keep munchers coming back for more, so we’re confident you won’t give up these healthier treats. One dieter was amazed to find such a tasty treat that was actually healthy, and another insists that no other jerky product even comes close to the flavor quality of Perky Jerky.
Best beef jerky for the money
The New Primal
Quality beef jerky is notoriously . . . how shall we put it . . . not cheap. After all, if you’re looking for natural ingredients from reputable sources and a clean process that yields deliciously thin strips of meat with just the right seasoning, you should expect to pay a bit more than you’ll have to shell out for a bag of over-processed potato chips. But good jerky doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
The New Primal uses only grass-fed beef for its meat product. Its Beef Thins contain only beef and quality seasonings for a healthy snack free of unnecessary gunk. Snackers rave about The New Primal’s reasonable cost compared to other additive-free meat snacks, hailing the accessible price point as a much better deal than other quality beef jerky products. This may not be the absolute cheapest beef jerky product on the shelves, but cost isn’t the only factor in value, and these are the best overall value for the money. Purchase an 8-pack of The New Primal Sea Salt Beef Thins for $62.
The New Primal uses only grass-fed beef for its meat product. Its Beef Thins contain only beef and quality seasonings for a healthy snack free of unnecessary gunk. Snackers rave about The New Primal’s reasonable cost compared to other additive-free meat snacks, hailing the accessible price point as a much better deal than other quality beef jerky products. This may not be the absolute cheapest beef jerky product on the shelves, but cost isn’t the only factor in value, and these are the best overall value for the money.
Purchase an 8-pack of The New Primal Sea Salt Beef Thins for $62.
Best beef jerky for dogs
Rocco & Roxie Supply Co.
Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. makes beef jerky treats specifically designed for dogs, using only natural ingredients with no added fillers. The soft treats are easily chewable, posing no choking hazard, and the brand can afford to offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee because even the pickiest dogs seem to love them. One dog owner whose senior pup was particularly picky about treats was relieved to find Rocco & Roxie when it became necessary to feed treats with medication, and another new pet parent who found a stray on the side of the road was able to bond with the scared and hesitant new addition thanks to its love of these all-natural beef jerky snacks. While many dogs will eat just about anything they come across, Rocco & Roxie treats appeal to even the scared, sick, and shy.
Best beef jerky for diabetics
Chomps
Chomps meat sticks come with no unwanted ingredients in any of the five beef varieties (venison and turkey are also available), and fans love that they’re flavorful and filling despite the total lack of sugar. They’re equally popular with the entire family, so there shouldn’t be any concerns regardless of who needs or wants to snack on these delicious sticks.
Best beef jerky for protein
Stryve
We recommend Stryve biltong if protein is your primary consideration. Hovering around 14 to 16 grams of protein per serving depending on flavor variety, there’s no question that these snacks will satisfy your protein cravings instantly, and one fan found them so good he had to consciously back off the biltong for a bit because he was afraid he was wolfing down too much protein. Stryve fans gush about the serious flavor despite no additives or sugar and, while this South African snack was once nearly impossible to find in the United States, biltong buffs love that Stryve is now so accessible they even find it at plenty of gas stations.
Best beef jerky for backpacking
Epic
Instead, happy hikers tend to stuff their sacks with beef sticks, which come individually wrapped in single servings that avoid spoilage concerns. Not all meat sticks are equal, though, and a hiking snack should provide energy without clogging up your system with nutritional garbage. Leave the Slim Jim (which, incidentally, isn’t actually beef jerky at all) behind and grab some Wagyu beef strips from Epic Provisions. Fans say they’re worth stuffing in any duffel or purse because they’re not just full of flavor, but also easier to chew than other quality meat sticks, and they’re especially ideal for camping and fishing trips or any similar outdoor activity that may find you backpacking to your destination.
Best jerky for vegetarians
Beyond Meat
It may take a little extra seasoning to achieve a meat flavor in a meatless snack, and Beyond Meat plant-based jerky does contain more sugar and fat than many real beef jerkies, but it still delivers a powerful protein supply of 10 grams per serving despite its beef-less recipe of peas and mung beans. So what does it actually taste like? According to fans who have had it, it actually tastes like real beef. Even better for those looking for something as close to the original as possible, reviewers agree that even the texture is similar to authentic beef jerky, delivering that satisfying chew that jerky lovers, well, love.
Best beef jerky for unique flavors
Prevail
Okay, we know what you’re going to say as soon you check out this brand: “There are only four varieties! How can that be the best option for unique flavors?” We’ll tell you. While you might expect steak-centric flavors like barbecue or pepper, Prevail presents Lemongrass, Umami, and Original, which we’re going to approach individually because they all deserve a moment. Devotees love the uniqueness of Lemongrass, which they haven’t encountered from other brands, and the Umami is a fan favorite that you’re equally unlikely to find elsewhere. And original? This original blend is far from ordinary, loaded with surprising ingredients like cardamom and organic matcha tea. There may only be four flavors offered from Prevail, but you’ll have to agree they’re more exciting than most flavors you’ll find anywhere else.
