Who Makes the Best Beef Jerky? A Detailed Look at Top Brands

Beef jerky is a popular high-protein snack that offers a hearty meaty flavor in a portable format. With its simple ingredients of spiced and dried beef, jerky requires no refrigeration, making it an ideal on-the-go snack.

But not all beef jerky is created equal There’s a wide range of quality and flavor profiles among the many brands on the market So which brand makes the best beef jerky? We did a deep dive into reviews and conducted our own taste tests of the top brands to find out,

How We Evaluated the Best Beef Jerky

To determine the highest quality beef jerky brands, we looked at the following factors

• Meat Quality We preferred brands using high-quality cuts of whole muscle beef with minimal processing, Grass-fed beef is ideal

• Flavor: The best jerky balances savory umami beefiness with spices and seasonings. It shouldn’t be overly sweet or salty.

• Texture: Good jerky has a firm, “chewy” texture without being too tough. It shouldn’t crumble or turn to mush.

• Ingredients: We favored jerkies with all-natural ingredients and minimal preservatives or artificial flavors.

• Appearance: Properly dried jerky has a leathery look. It shouldn’t appear sticky, greasy or have white crystallization.

After compiling a list of top-rated jerkies based on reviews, we did blind taste tests of each to crown the #1 best brand.

6 Top-Rated Store-Bought Beef Jerky Brands

Based on online reviews and our own testing, these are the top store-bought beef jerky brands that stood out for quality.

1. Country Archer

With its soft yet chewy texture and robust meaty flavor, Country Archer ranked highly in our taste tests.

• Grass-fed beef and premium cuts like brisket give it outstanding flavor.

• They use real ingredients like garlic, black pepper, and chili for spice.

• The “zero sugar” options avoid off-putting sweetness.

Country Archer jerky has an artisanal quality that’s a cut above the mass-produced brands. The Hickory Smoked and Chile Lime flavors are especially delicious.

2. Perky Jerky

Perky Jerky offers an ideal balance of smoky, savory and slightly spicy flavors.

• The jerky has good moisture without being sticky or greasy.

• It has a nice leathery texture that is firm but not tough on the jaws.

• Flavors like Teriyaki and “More Than Original” are complex without overwhelming the beefy taste.

While many brands overdo the sweetness, Perky Jerky keeps the flavors authentic. It’s a great option for quality jerky on a budget.

3. Duke’s Smokey Meats

With its perfectly chewy texture and balanced natural flavors, Duke’s is a premium jerky option.

• The jerky has an impressive smoky flavor from real hardwood smoking.

• It’s neither too dry nor overly greasy.

• Flavors like Peppered and Honey & Garlic are spice-forward without being hot.

Duke’s Smokey Meats jerky has an incredible genuine smoked meat taste. It’s a bit pricey but worth it for hardcore jerky aficionados.

4. Krave

Krave jerkies manage to achieve a tender, almost fluffy texture while maintaining chewiness.

• The jerky pulls apart easily into shreds without crumbling.

• It has a nice black pepper kick and savory flavor.

• Sweet flavors like Teriyaki are complex, not sugary.

With quality meat and a sophisticated natural flavor palette, Krave is a great everyday gourmet jerky.

5. People’s Choice Beef Jerky

Established in LA in 1929, People’s Choice has mastered old-school peppered jerky.

• It has an impressive burn from black pepper without being overwhelmingly hot.

• The jerky has a satisfying dense, chewy texture.

• The flavor has just enough sweetness to balance the pepper.

For those who like some heat, People’s Choice traditional peppered jerky delivers.

6. Jack Link’s

It may not be gourmet, but Jack Link’s deserves credit for making tasty jerky widely available and affordable.

• It has an old-school salty, peppery flavor.

• The jerky has a satisfying chew without requiring too much jaw work.

• Flavors like Original and Teriyaki are well-balanced.

For a classic conveniently-available jerky, Jack Link’s is a solid choice.

Artisanal Jerky Brands

Beyond the major national brands, numerous small batch jerky producers sell online or at specialty shops. Here are some top artisanal brands to try:

• Wild Bill’s – Smoky hickory smoked jerky made with premium cuts of grass-fed beef.

• Slant Shack Jerky – Handcrafted gourmet jerky in flavors like Guajillo Chile and Garlic Herb.

• Knoxville Jerky Company – Spicy jerky made in small batches with high-quality meats.

• JerkyXP – Offerings like Bourbon Barrel Aged jerky push creative boundaries.

• Vermont Smoke & Cure – Organic jerky smoked with real hardwood for intense flavor.

These artisanal brands use excellent meats and creative natural ingredients to make jerky a truly gourmet experience.

Best Brand for Healthy Low-Carb Jerky

When limiting carbs on diets like keto, you want to choose a jerky with minimal sugar. Look for:

• Jerky described as “no sugar added” or “zero sugar”.

• Minimal honey or other sweeteners in the ingredients.

• No sugary glazes or fruit purees.

Our top picks for low-carb jerky are:

• Country Archer Zero Sugar (0g net carbs)

• Duke’s Zero Sugar (0g net carbs)

• Mission Meats (1g net carbs)

• Wild Bill’s Snack Foods (1g net carbs)

Stick with whole-muscle meat jerkies. Avoid reconstituted jerky flakes, as they often have more fillers and carbs.

Best Value Jerky Brands

Jerky can get pricey, but these typically offer the best bang for your buck:

• Jack Link’s – Classic jerky for $1.29/oz or less

• Old Trapper – Quality smoked jerky for under $2/oz

• Tillamook – Decent jerky often on sale for under $1.50/oz

• Cattleman’s Cut – Affordable jerky sold at discount retailers

• Great Value (Walmart) – Cheapest jerky at around $0.70/oz

Consider the total ounces in a package, not just the price tag. Bulk sizes usually offer better deals.

Best Beef Jerky Overall

After extensive testing of all major jerky brands, here is our jerky power ranking:

1. Country Archer – Premium quality with outstanding flavors
2. Duke’s – Excellent smoky taste with gourmet quality
3. Perky Jerky – Great balance of flavor, spice and texture
4. Krave – Tender yet satisfyingly chewy jerky
5. People’s Choice – Excellent old-fashioned peppery flavor
6. Jack Link’s – Classic tasty jerky you can easily find anywhere

While preferences will vary by taste, Country Archer consistently impressed for its extremely high-quality grass-fed beef and craveable flavors. For an elite jerky experience, it’s the clear winner.

DIY Homemade Jerky Option

You can also easily make your own jerky at home with a dehydrator or oven. Homemade allows you to control the ingredients and customize flavors.

Choose high quality beef top round, flank or eye of round. Trim fat and partially freeze to slice thinly across the grain. Prepare a marinade with desired flavors like soy sauce, herbs, Worcestershire, liquid smoke, etc.

Dehydrate at 145 F for 7-8 hours, until leathery. For oven method, bake at 170 F for 4-5 hours with oven cracked.

When you’ve got a hankering for a hearty meaty snack, reach for a bag of jerky. Brands like Country Archer offer an unbeatable balance of quality, texture and flavor in their jerky. For the optimal beefy snack on-the-go, great jerky can’t be beat!