Beef jerky is a popular high-protein snack that has been around for centuries. But walk down the snack aisle today and you’ll see beef jerky available in countless varieties and at hugely differing price points. So how much should you really expect to pay for this tasty dried, cured meat?
I took a deep dive into current beef jerky prices across brands, retailers, package sizes and more. In this article, I’ll break down the average cost of beef jerky and the factors that impact pricing. I’ll also share tips to help you find the best deals.
Typical Beef Jerky Prices at the Store
Beef jerky prices primarily come down to two factors – brand and package size. At major grocery chains like Walmart, a 2-3 ounce pouch of a major national brand like Jack Link’s can cost $5-8. Lesser known regional brands are generally $3-5 for a pouch of the same size. Store brand or generic labels have the best prices closer to $2-4 per pouch.
You’ll also find single-serve packs with just 1-2 ounces of big brand jerky selling for $150 to $3 apiece, These make for convenient snacks but are one of the most expensive per-ounce options out there
In general, prices per ounce tend to range between:
- $1.50 to $3 at grocery stores
- $1 to $2.50 at convenience stores
- $0.60 to $1 for bulk store brands
- $3 to $7 for premium/artisanal brands
The takeaway is you’ll almost always get a better deal when buying larger 3-5 ounce pouches or multi-pack bundles. Buying individually wrapped jerky packets is convenient but drives up the per-ounce pricing considerably.
Why Such a Wide Range in Beef Jerky Prices?
Several factors contribute to the pricing differences you’ll see in beef jerky:
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Brand Name: Big brands like Jack Link’s or Slim Jim cost more than generic labels. You’re paying for marketing and widespread availability.
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Meat Quality: Jerky made with grass-fed, organic or prime beef costs more than conventional mass-market beef jerky.
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Package Size: Larger bulk bags offer the lowest cost per ounce compared to single-serve pouches.
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Store Location: Jerky at convenience stores or airports costs more than at big box stores.
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Prep Method: Handmade artisanal jerky is priced higher than mass-produced commercial jerky.
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Ingredients: More premium spices and woods for smoking drive up costs.
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Convenience: Pre-sliced and seasoned jerky costs more than plain whole jerky strips.
Tips to Find the Best Beef Jerky Deals
If you want to enjoy jerky more often without emptying your wallet, here are some tips:
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Buy in bulk packages of at least 5 ounces whenever possible.
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Opt for warehouse club or store brands over national brands.
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Shop online jerky specialty shops for deals on bulk bags.
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Avoid impulse buys from convenience stores and airports.
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Compare cost per ounce rather than package price.
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Use online coupons and look for sales on shelf-stable jerky.
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Buy whole strips and slice them yourself to save money.
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Make your own jerky from fresh beef when you have time.
Where to Buy Affordable Beef Jerky
Taking advantage of the following retailers can help you save big on beef jerky:
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Costco: Carries Kirkland brand jerky under $1 per oz in large bags.
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Sam’s Club: Member’s Mark jerky in 24 oz bags for around $0.60/oz.
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Amazon: Numerous jerky brands and bulk sizes available.
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Walmart: Great Value jerky for under $2/oz in 5 oz bags.
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Dollar General: $1.50/oz or less for beef jerky sticks.
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Aldi: Clancy’s brand jerky costs around $0.70/oz.
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Online Shops: Specialize in discount jerky sold in bulk.
Buying jerky at big box stores in bulk packaging provides the most affordable per-ounce pricing.
Average Beef Jerky Prices by Brand
To give you an idea of real-world costs, here are the typical per-ounce prices for some of the most popular national brands:
- Jack Link’s (2.85 oz): $1.40/ounce
- Slim Jim (5 count): $1.60/ounce
- Oberto (3 oz): $2.00/ounce
- Krave (1.5 oz): $2.00/ounce
- Duke’s (1.5 oz): $1.33/ounce
- Tillamook (1.5 oz): $1.33/ounce
Again, buying in larger quantities drives the per-ounce cost down significantly. But this provides a look at pricing for brands you’ll find at most grocery and convenience stores.
Is Beef Jerky Worth the Price?
At around $2 per ounce, beef jerky is one of the more expensive packaged snacks out there. But fans feel it’s worth it for several reasons:
- Highly portable protein food for active lifestyles
- No refrigeration required for unopened packages
- 1 to 2 year shelf life when properly stored
- Ready to eat without preparation
- Nutritious protein, iron, zinc from beef
- Available in diverse flavors
So while beef jerky costs more than many snacks, its convenience, shelf life, and nutrition make it a worthwhile purchase for many people. Just be selective about the brand and package size to get the best bang for your buck.
Should You Make Your Own Beef Jerky?
To save substantially on costs, consider making jerky at home from fresh beef. Here’s a quick overview:
- Buy eye of round roasts on sale for $3 to $5 per pound.
- Slice into 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick strips.
- Marinate overnight in a jerky cure mixture.
- Dehydrate 4 to 6 hours until dried adequately.
- Cool and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
Homemade jerky can cost as little as $0.40 to $0.60 per ounce. So for a little hands-on effort, you can make multiple pounds of jerky for the price of one retail bag.
The Bottom Line on Beef Jerky Pricing
Beef jerky costs around $1.50 to $3 per ounce normally, but savvy shoppers can find deals closer to $1 per ounce buying store brands in bulk. While a bit pricier than some other snacks, fans feel the convenience and nutrition make beef jerky well worth the price. Just be selective in your purchasing to get the best value for your money.
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Beef jerky is expensive – everyone knows that. On average, beef jerky ranges from $1.31 per ounce to $2.90 per ounce. But it doesnt always have to be that expensive! At our local Idaho Top Notch store, we sell our ranch cut beef jerky and jerky meat sticks for just $0.999 per ounce, and online we sell them for $1.49-1.69/oz – and yet with such low prices we make a high-quality high-end product! Why do we have the best beef jerky prices when were selling such high-quality jerky? Offering a premium beef jerky product for such a low cost, we are confident that we offer the best beef jerky for the price.
We Offer the Best Beef Jerky For the Price Because We Control Each Step
We own and control nearly every aspect of our business, which allows us to keep our prices low. We are proud to have locally-grown beef, raising our own Corriente cattle in our St. Anthony, Idaho feedlots. We handle all the fabrication and processing of the cattle, and we produce and package all our Top Notch beef jerky and meat snacks at our state-of-the-art production facility located in Sugar City Idaho just minutes from where we grow our beef.
Because of this, we control our beef pricing, not the global boxed beef commodity market. We can supply at 100% fill rate and we offer sustainability and the best beef jerky prices to our customers! When we are able to keep our beef prices low, we are able to keep our beef jerky prices low, offering you the best beef jerky for the price.
Our jerky comes from Corriente cattle, which provide a unique flavor and quality of beef. Naturally marbled, tender, and juicy, Corriente cattle also provide a healthier quality of meat than other breeds. Our beef has less fat, cholesterol, and calories and has the most protein out of any red meat! Our beef jerky is made straight from this premium quality beef, grown just minutes from our beef jerky plant. With top-notch quality like that, we are confident that we offer the best beef jerky for the best price!
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FAQ
What’s the average price of beef jerky?
On average, beef jerky ranges from $1.31 per ounce to $2.90 per ounce.
How much jerky from 1 lb of beef?
Jerky will lose two-thirds of its weight in the drying process — three pounds of meat will make one pound of jerky.
Is beef jerky so expensive?
One of the biggest reasons beef jerky is expensive is due to the dehydration process. When beef is dried into jerky, it loses about 60-70% of its original weight. That means if you start with 10 pounds of beef, you’ll end up with just 3 or 4 pounds of jerky.
Is beef jerky actually healthy?
Beef Jerky Benefits
These lean cuts are low in fat and carbs. One large piece of beef jerky has about 82 calories, 2.2 grams of carbs, 5.1 grams of fat and 6.6 grams of protein. In addition to being a good source of lean protein, beef jerky is rich in iron, folate, calcium and vitamins A and C.