Where to Buy the Best Dried Beef for Your Recipes

Dried beef is a unique and delicious meat product that can add tons of flavor to various dishes. If you enjoy recipes like chipped beef on toast, dried beef dip or smoked dried beef gravy you’ll want to know where you can find high-quality dried beef. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky to know which brands and retailers offer the best tasting and best value dried beef. This guide will walk you through the key factors to look for when shopping for dried beef and recommend some top sources to buy from.

What Exactly is Dried Beef?

Before diving into where to buy it, let’s quickly cover what exactly dried beef is. Dried beef starts with raw beef, usually top round or eye of round cuts. The meat is seasoned, cured, smoked, and dried until much of the moisture content is removed. This concentrates the flavors and allows the dried beef to be shelf-stable. There are two main styles:

• Chipped or Flaked The dried beef is sliced into small thin pieces. This style works great for recipes like chipped beef gravy.

• Sliced: The dried beef is cut into thin slices, typically around 1/16 of an inch thick. Sliced dried beef is perfect for roll-ups and sandwiches.

The drying process gives dried beef a dense, chewy texture and intensely beefy, smoky taste. The curing and smoking also adds salty, savory flavors. Keep this flavor profile in mind when judging the quality of dried beef from different sources.

Factors to Consider When Buying Dried Beef

Here are some key factors to evaluate when choosing a dried beef product:

Ingredients: Look for dried beef made from simple, natural ingredients like beef, salt, spices, and sodium nitrite curing salt. Avoid products with excessive fillers, preservatives, and artificial flavors.

Smoking Method: Dried beef is traditionally smoked over hardwood fires. This imbues it with a rich, smoky taste. Smoke flavoring can be artificial, so look for brands that use real wood smoking.

Moisture Content: Higher moisture means less concentrated flavor and shorter shelf life. Look for dried beef with 10-15% moisture content for the best texture and taste.

Sourcing: Some brands use American-raised beef while others import beef from other countries to save costs. Domestic sourcing provides more transparency.

Cut Selection: Whole muscle cuts like top round have better texture and flavor. Avoid brands that use trimmings or ground/reformed meat.

Value: Higher quality dried beef tends to cost more per pound. Look for deals on bulk packages to get more for your money.

Freshness: Always check expiration dates and look for dried beef packaged in vacuum sealed bags. This indicates a focus on freshness.

Keeping these factors in mind will help you pick out a high-quality dried beef worthy of your favorite recipes. Now let’s look at some of the best places to buy dried beef either online or in stores.

Online Sources for Dried Beef

Shopping online provides convenient access to a huge selection of dried beef options. Here are some of the best online retailers for ordering dried beef:

Stoltzfus Meats

Stoltzfus Meats is a premium online meat shop based in Pennsylvania. They offer smoked chipped dried beef and smoked sliced dried beef made from top round beef. It is smoked for 2 days over real hardwood fires. Stoltzfus dried beef contains no fillers, MSG, or artificial flavors. The chipped beef is perfect for gravy and the sliced beef makes tasty sandwiches.

Bass Pro Shops

The outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops has an extensive selection of smoked and cured meats including several dried beef options. Brands carried include Big Chief, Allen Brothers, and Bass Pro’s own White River dried beef. You can buy chipped or sliced, in various size packs.

Amish Country Oasis

This Amish-run online shop specializes in authentic Pennsylvania Dutch foods including dried beef smoked by Amish producers. They stock several different brands of chipped and sliced dried beef in resealable packs. Their website also has lots of helpful information on Amish food traditions.

Iowa Meat Farms

Iowa Meat Farms manufactures their own brand of dried beef along with many other smoked meats and sausages. Their Gold Medal dried beef is popular for its lean, flavorful eye of round beef. They offer both sliced and chipped varieties for sale on their website.

Amazon

Amazon carries a number of major national brands of both chipped dried beef and sliced dried beef. This includes corned beef and pastrami too. Brands available include Armour Star, Valley Fresh, and Fairfield. Prices and pack sizes vary.

Check company websites for available shipping rates and areas. Most dried beef can ship without refrigeration due to the low moisture content and sodium nitrite curing.

In-Store Shopping for Dried Beef

You can also find dried beef in the meat sections of many grocery retailers. Here are some of the best stores for buying dried beef off the shelf:

Butcher Shops and Meat Markets

Local independent butcher shops and meat markets often carry house-made dried beef. Their in-house smoking and curing expertise results in high-quality flavor. You can buy fresh packs sliced to order.

Whole Foods

The natural food chain Whole Foods stocks several premium dried beef options like Niman Ranch and Applegate. They also sell dried beef ends and pieces for a more budget-friendly price. Check near other cured and smoked meats.

Kroger

Major grocery chain Kroger offers both national brands like Valley Fresh along with Kroger’s own Private Selection dried beef. Both chipped and sliced types are available, typically near the bacon and lunch meats.

WinCo

This expanding bargain grocery chain provides low prices on bulk dried beef packs. Brands stocked include Tillamook, Winchester, and Sunny Valley. The resealable packs keep it fresh longer.

Publix

Publix deli counters carry their popular Publix Deli brand chipped or sliced dried beef. You can get small quantities sliced fresh. They also stock national brands like Armour and Fairfield in the meat case.

Safeway

Safeway stores offer some dried beef selections depending on location. Their deli counters can slice dried beef for you. Brands sold include Armour and Safeway Select. Quantities and flavors vary by store.

Check your local listings for availability and pricing at specific store locations. Online grocery ordering and delivery services also provide another convenient option for buying dried beef.

Tips for Choosing the Best Dried Beef

Now that you know the major retailers and brands for buying dried beef, here are some final tips for picking the best option for your recipes:

• Compare nutrition labels and ingredients lists – avoid unnecessary additives.

• Look for thorough smoking flavor and deep red color.

• Opt for chipped beef for gravy and sliced beef for sandwiches.

• Buy bulk for savings if you’ll use it within the expiration timeframe.

• For deli counter purchases, request 1/16 inch slices.

• Make sure packaging is undamaged and unopened.

Taking a bit of time to read labels and compare choices will ensure you get the best dried beef to take your meals to the next level of flavor. Now you can enjoy incredible dishes like Amish chipped beef gravy and dried beef sandwiches at home. With the wide range of dried beef options available both online and in stores, you’re sure to find the perfect choice for your recipes and budget.