Beef jerky is a tasty and portable protein snack that has been around for centuries. As jerky has grown in popularity, countless brands have emerged making it hard to know which beef jerky is truly the best. In this detailed guide, we’ll explain what to look for when buying jerky and reveal the top brands and flavors you need to try based on taste tests and expert opinions.
A Brief History of Beef Jerkys have been preserving meat by drying it into jerky for thousands of years. There is evidence that people were making jerky in Ancient Egypt, Rome, and China. In America, Native Americans famously made jerky from bison and venison. Beef jerky was a staple food for cowboys, soldiers, and travelers who needed a protein source that was lightweight and wouldn’t spoil.
While beef jerky was traditionally just salted and dried, today there are many different flavors available. Brands now offer sweet, spicy, teriyaki, bbq, and other bold jerky flavors. The jerky-making process has also improved with better drying technology yielding more tender and flavorful results.
What Makes a Great Beef Jerky?
So what should you look for when choosing a beef jerky? Here are the key factors that determine which jerky is best:
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Tender and Chewable Texture The jerky shouldn’t be so tough that it hurts your jaw, It should have some chew but not be leathery
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Bold, Balanced Flavor The best jerky has a complex taste with the right balance of savory sweet spicy, and smoky flavors.
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High-Quality Meat Jerky made from grass-fed beef or flank steak will have a richer taste Low-grade meat makes low-grade jerky
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Minimal Processing: Jerky with no preservatives, MSG, or artificial ingredients is ideal. Look for all-natural brands.
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Portion Size: Try to find jerky that isn’t overly-shredded so you get hearty pieces in each pouch.
Now that you know what to look for in great jerky, let’s reveal the top rated brands and flavors on the market!
6 Top-Rated Beef Jerky Brands
Based on professional taste tests and customer reviews, here are the 6 highest quality beef jerky brands to try:
1. Country Archer
Country Archer jerky always tops beef jerky taste tests. Their jerky is tender, flavorful, and made from grass-fed beef. Top flavors are Original, Teriyaki, and Sweet & Spicy.
2. Krave
Krave uses lean cuts of meat and has spot-on flavors like Chili Lime and Sweet Chipotle. Their jerky has the perfect chewy texture.
3. Duke’s
- Duke’s Smoked Shorty Beef Sausage is the ideal party jerky with a nice spice and smoke flavor.
- Duke’s Original Recipe is another winner. Their meat is premium quality.
4. Perky Jerky
- Perky Jerky was one of the first to make non-sugary jerky. Try their Tender Cut Original and Bold Cut flavors.
5. Nick’s Sticks
- Nick’s has tasty unique blends like Chili Garlic Carne Seca and Maple Bacon Jerky. Their jerky is tender and made from grass-fed beef.
6. Wild Bill’s Beef Jerky
- Wild Bill’s is the choice for authentic old-fashioned jerky. Every variety they make is excellent but the Hickory Smoked Beef Jerky is exceptionally delicious.
While those are the top-tier jerky brands overall, here are some runner-up options that are also quite tasty:
- Oberto Original
- Jack Link’s Original
- EPIC Original
- Ayoba-Yo Teriyaki or Spicy Peri-Peri
Best Jerky by Meat Type
In addition to traditional beef jerky, you can also find quality jerky made from other meats:
Bison Jerky – Offerings from Duke’s and Perky Jerky have incredible flavor.
Elk Jerky – Long Lasting Elk Jerky from Colorado is the ideal choice.
Turkey Jerky – Stonewall’s Sriracha and Black Pepper turkey jerky is juicy and delicious.
Salmon Jerky – For fish jerky, Krave makes amazing Teriyaki Salmon Jerky.
Venison Jerky – Ayoba-Yo Venison Jerky is a tasty lean option.
Best Jerky Flavors to Try
While Original is always a safe bet, here are some other unique and insanely tasty jerky flavors to enjoy:
- Black Pepper – adds a nice kick
- Teriyaki – a sweet soy glaze
- Hot & Spicy – brings the heat!
- Maple – for sweetness
- Hickory Smoked – for bold smoky flavor
- Garlic – makes it savory
- Sriracha – a touch of spice
- Thai Chili – hot but flavorful
- Ghost Pepper – INSANELY spicy
How to Store Beef Jerky Properly
To keep your jerky fresh once opened, follow these storage tips:
- Store in a sealed plastic bag or airtight glass jar.
- Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Refrigeration can extend shelf life but isn’t required.
- Letting jerky absorb moisture reduces shelf life so don’t store with fruits or veggies.
- Properly stored, jerky lasts 1-2 months past its printed expiration date.
Health Benefits of Beef Jerky
In addition to its delicious taste, beef jerky offers these healthy bonuses:
- Excellent source of protein – 10g per ounce typically
- Very low in fat when trimmed lean beef is used
- Fewer calories than many other protein snacks
- Contains iron, zinc, vitamin B12, niacin
- Doesn’t require refrigeration for storage
- Portable and non-perishable making it the perfect travel snack
Just be mindful of your portion size as jerky has a high sodium content. And be sure to drink water when eating very salty jerky.
Make Your Own Jerky
If you want to control the ingredients and flavors, it’s easy to make your own jerky at home. Here’s a quick guide:
Meat – Flank steak and eye of round work best. Trim off excess fat. Cut with the grain into long slices.
Marinade – A simple marinade is soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. For a wet marinade, add tomato juice or beer. Let meat soak for 8-24 hours.
Dehydrator – A dehydrator is the easiest method. Dry at 145-155°F for 5-8 hours until leathery. Use additional seasonings like red pepper flakes or liquid smoke when drying.
Oven – You can also use your oven on the lowest setting with the door propped open. It will take 8-12 hours.
Now you have all the info you need to find and enjoy the best beef jerky! Try a few varieties and flavors from top jerky brands to discover your personal favorites. With the right texture and taste, beef jerky makes the ultimate protein-packed snack.
The Ultimate Beef Jerky Ranking of 2025
If you’re here, you’re on a mission for the best beef jerky—and lucky for you, we’ve done the heavy lifting (or, should we say, heavy chewing?).
At JerkyGent, we’ve been running the #1 beef jerky subscription club on the planet for nearly a decade. In that time, we’ve received hundreds—if not thousands—of beef jerky samples from all over the country.
Whether youre shopping for yourself or searching for the perfect beef jerky gifts, we’ve seen (and tasted) it all.
From Hawaiian teriyaki beef jerky to dry-aged, smoked Texas BBQ-style jerky… from flaming hot Carolina Reaper-infused firebombs to sweet and savory honey sriracha goodness—we’ve chewed our way through every beef jerky imaginable, including some of the best beef sticks out there.
And let’s be real—not all jerky makes the cut.
Some are too dry. Some are too chewy. And some—like the best organic beef jerky we’ve found—are so good we have to physically remove the bag from our hands before we devour the entire thing in one sitting.
Those are the ones that made this list.
Our team of hardcore jerky experts (yes, it’s a thing) taste-tested over 50+ brands this year alone. We’re talking small-batch, craft, premium flavors from jerky makers who take their craft seriously.
These are the absolute best beef jerkies of 2025. They are bold, smoky, tender, spicy, sweet, and downright addictive.
Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky
If theres one beef jerky brand youre familiar with, its probably Jack Links. The brands Original Beef Jerky is seemingly everywhere, from grocery stores to the snack section of even the smallest convenience stores. But just because its ubiquitous doesnt mean its the best you can get. In reality, it was one of my least favorite varieties I tried, and it actually tasted quite similar to the Signature Select product.
First of all, like Signature Selects beef jerky, this stuff is tough. If you like a chewier beef jerky, that may not be a problem, but for those who prefer a softer texture, this is not the brand for you. Plus, youll also find added sugar in this product as well, giving the snack a sweeter flavor than you may want from a food thats specifically supposed to be savory. This jerky is standard, accessible, and easy to eat … but its far from the best option out there on store shelves.
Alabama Boss Tries Craft Beef Jerky From Righteous Felon | Jerk It
FAQ
What is the best beef jerky brand?
- Vacadillos Carne Seca – Best Air-Dried Jerky. …
- Brockhouse Jerky – Best Pit-Smoked Jerky. …
- Field Trip Jerky – Best Unique Flavors. …
- People’s Choice Beef Jerky – Best Variety of Flavors. …
- Fusion Jerky – Best Tender Jerky. …
- Righteous Felon – Best Jerky with Character.
Is beef jerky actually healthy?
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Healthlinehttps://www.healthline.comIs Beef Jerky Good for You? – HealthlineMar 13, 2020 — That also makes it unsuitable for certain diets that restrict sodium intake ( 7 ). Furthermore, beef jerky is highly processed. Numerous studies hav…
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Verywell Healthhttps://www.verywellhealth.comWhat Happens to Your Body When You Eat Beef Jerky RegularlyJan 31, 2025 — Beef jerky is a savory, protein-rich, and low-carb snack full of other essential minerals and is nutritious in moderation. But because it’s processe…
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TODAY.comhttps://www.today.comThis is the healthiest type of beef jerky, according to dietitiansApr 30, 2025 — The main downside of beef jerky is the sodium, the experts note. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium intake to 2,300 mill…
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Jeff’s Famous Jerkyhttps://jeffsfinestbeefjerky.comIs Beef Jerky a Healthy for You?First off, beef jerky is extremely high in protein. However, unlike other meat-based foods, you don’t have to put it in the fridge. This makes it super convenie…
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Old Trapperhttps://oldtrapper.comIs Beef Jerky a Good Source of Protein? – Old TrapperNov 11, 2022 — Not only is beef jerky a good source of protein, but it’s also packed full of vitamins, minerals, and delicious flavor. … When you take a bite of …
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Mountain America Jerkyhttps://mountainamericajerky.comIs Beef Jerky Healthy? The Answer Depends on These ThingsBeef Jerky Nutrition Facts All beef jerky isn’t created equally, and some brands can be quite high in sodium and sugar as well as contain unnecessary additives.
What is the best beef for jerky?
The best cuts of meat for beef jerky are eye of round roast, sirloin tip roast, flank steak, top round, bottom round, or other lean cut of meat you desire.
What is the best beef jerky?
Start your review of Riley’s Jerky. Hands down the best beef jerky I’ve ever had the honor of tasting. It is kind of rock hard , but the beauty is once you place a piece in your mouth – you let your saliva break it down, and it turns into a buttery piece of steak.
Is beef jerky a healthy snack?
Beef jerky has been around for a long time, but in recent years the product has seen a huge surge in popularity as a healthy snack. This is because it tends to be low in calories and high in protein, and it’s also very convenient to eat while you’re on the go. It also happens to be very tasty.
What is the best jerky to eat on a road trip?
Best Beef Jerky (Including Teriyaki, Spicy, and Even Biltong!) The best beef jerky is the perfect in-between food. You eat beef jerky between meals to quell hunger pangs. Beef jerky is eaten in between places, too; it’s the quintessential road trip food. Gnawing on some jerky you bought from a gas station behind the wheel of a car?