How Many Pieces of Beef Jerky are in One Ounce?

Beef jerky is a popular high-protein snack that’s portable, tasty, and satisfying – the perfect pick-me-up when you’re on the go. As a jerky enthusiast, I’ve often wondered exactly how many pieces make up an ounce. With so many brands and cuts out there, it can be tricky to pin down an exact number. So I decided to investigate this beefy question and find a definitive answer.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about serving sizes, weights, and portions when it comes to America’s favorite protein snack. Let’s beef up our jerky knowledge!

What is Considered a Serving of Beef Jerky?

To understand how many pieces are in an ounce of beef jerky, we first need to know the standard serving size.

According to the USDA, the recommended serving size for beef jerky is 1 ounce or 28 grams. This is the case regardless of the specific brand or type of jerky.

On most nutrition labels, you’ll see the serving size listed as “About 1 ounce” or “Around 28g” This provides some wiggle room for natural variations in the weight and dimensions of each piece

So to summarize, the USDA standard gives us a baseline:

• 1 ounce or 28 grams is considered one serving of beef jerky.

How Many Pieces are in 1 Ounce of Beef Jerky?

Now that we know the typical serving size, we can estimate how many pieces make up an ounce.

This number can vary slightly depending on a few factors:

• Cut of beef used – Jerky made from flank steak tends to have bigger pieces than jerky from round or sirloin cuts.

• Thickness of slices – Thinner slices mean more pieces per ounce. Thicker slices mean fewer pieces.

• Brand – Different brands may have slightly different slice sizes and dimensions.

However most beef jerky falls within a similar range. Here’s a general breakdown

• 1 ounce of very thinly sliced beef jerky contains around 8-12 small pieces
• 1 ounce of standard sliced jerky contains 5-7 medium sized pieces
• 1 ounce of thick sliced jerky contains 3-5 large pieces

So if you took the average, most 1 ounce servings contain about 6-8 pieces of jerky. Obviously, the thinner the slices, the more pieces you’ll get per ounce.

Comparing Popular Beef Jerky Brands

To provide a more concrete perspective, I compared some popular brands of beef jerky and counted how many pieces made up an ounce. Here’s what I found:

• Jack Link’s Original: 7 medium sized pieces
• Krave Sweet Chipotle: 8 small, thin pieces
• Duke’s Original Smoked Shorty Sausages: 5 large sausage sticks
• Oberto Original: 6 medium strips
• Slim Jim Original Stick: 1 extra large stick

As you can see, there’s some variation between brands, but the range is usually 5-8 pieces per ounce. Slim Jim is an outlier with just one large stick per serving.

I’d recommend taking a few of the brands you eat and counting out an ounce to get a sense of the average pieces per serving size. This can help you visualize proper portions.

What Does 1 Ounce of Beef Jerky Look Like?

If you don’t have a food scale handy, you can also estimate an ounce of beef jerky using some common household objects:

• A 3 ounce piece is about the size of a standard deck of cards
• 1 ounce is approximately 1/3 the size of a deck of cards
• An ounce is also similar in size to 3 standard dice stacked together
• Another visual is a bar of soap – 1 ounce would be around 1/4th of a typical bath soap bar

So while it varies based on the slice thickness, an ounce is roughly the size of 3 dice, or a quarter of a deck of cards. Use these as visual guides when eyeballing your portions.

Typical Nutrition Facts for 1 Ounce of Beef Jerky

Now that we understand approximate piece counts, let’s examine the nutrition facts for a typical 1 ounce serving of beef jerky:

• Calories: Around 80-100
• Protein: 7-15g
• Fat: Usually 2g or less
• Carbs: Around 1-5g
• Sodium: 500-800mg

Keep in mind nutrition varies by brand and flavor. For instance, teriyaki jerky often has more sugar. But most brands fall within these ranges for a standard serving.

Serving Sizes for Jerky Packages and Bags

When purchasing beef jerky, the total package size and number of servings impacts the pieces per ounce. Here are some common package sizes:

• 1 ounce bag: Contains 1 serving
• 2 ounce bag: Contains about 2 servings
• 3-4 ounce bag: Contains 3-4 servings
• 8 ounce bag: Contains around 6-8 servings
• 16 ounce bag: Contains 12-16 servings

Larger bags usually contain multiple individual 1 ounce packets. Pay attention to the total ounces or gram weight on the package to determine total servings.

I prefer buying bigger bags since they offer the best value. But I portion out servings at home into snack bags to control my portions.

Tips for Portioning Beef Jerky

When eating jerky, proper portion control is key for both health and your budget. Here are some useful tips:

• Carefully read nutrition labels and weigh servings with a food scale when possible.
• Count out pieces – aim for around 5-8 pieces per ounce.
• Portion jerky into individual snack bags to avoid overeating.
• Use hand measurements or household objects to estimate serving sizes.
• Stick to just one serving for a protein-packed snack, not the whole bag!
• Drink water with jerky to help feel full and prevent overeating.
• Choose lower sodium options to limit sodium intake.

Following basic portion guidelines ensures you get the protein benefits without overdoing calories or sodium.

Choosing Healthy Beef Jerky Brands

To maximize the nutrition from jerky, I also advise selecting brands made with quality ingredients. Here’s what to look for:

• Lean cuts like flank, round, or sirloin. These are lower in fat.
• Minimal added sugars. Teriyaki and sweet flavors often have extra.
• Low or no preservatives. Seek all-natural options without artificial ingredients.
• Grass-fed or organic meat when possible for higher quality.
• Minimal processing. Some brands over-process jerky, destroying nutrients.

Stick to simple, wholesome ingredients and you’ll get the most nutritional value from jerky. Brands like Krave, Duke’s, and Perky Jerky are good mass-market picks.

Making Your Own Healthy Beef Jerky

For the highest quality ingredients, I love DIYing beef jerky at home. It takes time but isn’t too difficult with a good dehydrator or oven setup.

Making it yourself lets you control the cut of meat, spices, sweeteners, and sodium levels. Plus you can use very lean cuts for a healthier snack.

I recommend top round, eye of round, or flank steak for DIY jerky. Trim any visible fat before slicing the meat thinly and marinating.

Peruse some recipes online and get creative with your own flavors! Homemade jerky also makes a thoughtful gift.

The Takeaway: Enjoy Beef Jerky in Moderation

Beef jerky can be a tasty, protein-packed snack, but it’s important not to overdo portions. While exact serving sizes vary slightly by brand and cut, an ounce of jerky generally contains 5-8 pieces.

Keep an eye on serving sizes, control portions, and choose high-quality products. Pair jerky with fruits and veggies for balance.

Most importantly, savor your jerky! Just be mindful, eat intentionally, and incorporate jerky as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. With some moderation, beef jerky can be part of a protein-fueled, flavorful diet.