Beef jerky has developed a reputation as an exorbitantly expensive snack. Its savory flavor and satisfying chew make it a tasty treat, but its premium price point can make it difficult to enjoy on a regular basis. So what exactly accounts for the high cost of beef jerky? In this article, we’ll explore the various factors that contribute to making beef jerky one of the pricier snack options on the market.
The Beef Itself Drives Up The Cost
The first factor that leads to the high price of beef jerky is the beef itself. Beef jerky is made from cuts of beef that tend to be more expensive than other meats. Flank steak, bottom round, and eye of round are common cuts used for jerky. These are lean, high-quality cuts that offer great texture and flavor for jerky, but cost more per pound than fattier cuts of beef. Grass-fed beef, prized for its leanness and rich flavor, is also increasingly used in artisanal jerkies, further driving up costs. So starting with a more costly base ingredient contributes to the inflated price.
Extensive Processing Adds To The Expense
In addition to the elevated cost of the beef inputs, the intensive processing required to turn raw beef into jerky also factors into the price. To make jerky, the beef must be carefully trimmed, sliced, seasoned, and dried. This drying process removes most of the moisture from the meat, resulting in the concentrated, shelf-stable final product.
Special drying ovens are needed to achieve the low-moisture levels required for preservation. The process can take hours or days to complete depending on factors like batch size, oven efficiency, and target moisture content. All of this hands-on labor, electricity for the ovens, and monitoring required contributes significant processing expenses that companies pass on to consumers via higher retail prices.
Packaging And Shipping Contribute To The Costs
After beef jerky is dried, it must be packaged for sale and distribution. The packaging itself, often involving materials like plastic, paper, and flexible packaging films, represents an expense. Nitrogen gas flushing and vacuum sealing may be used to maximize shelf life. Labeling individual packages is another cost.
Beyond packaging, there are costs associated with shipping the lightweight, perishable jerky products from manufacturing facilities to retail points around the country. Storage and transportation require climate controlled conditions and expedited delivery to keep the jerky fresh. These logistics expenses ultimately yield higher prices on store shelves.
Market Forces Push Prices Up
From a pure market economics standpoint, beef jerky prices remain elevated because consumers have shown willingness to pay the premiums. As demand for meat snacks and high protein foods increases, beef jerky has become an on-the-go indulgence that shoppers crave. This had led companies to introduce more premium jerkies made from grass-fed beef, all natural ingredients innovative flavors and novel formats like sticks and biltong. The demand supports elevated pricing for these specialty products. Private label jerkies sold at mainstream grocers represent a more affordable option, but still carry a price premium compared to other salty snacks.
Unique Benefits Help Justify The Costs For Many
While the price may seem lofty compared to other snack options, beef jerky offers unique benefits that make it worth the splurge for many shoppers Convenient and non-perishable, jerky provides an excellent source of protein and satisfies cravings for something salty and savory It can be tossed in a bag for hiking or travel when refrigeration isn’t available. The intense smoky-sweet flavor and satisfying chew make it a snack people are excited to eat. These characteristics, coupled with its portability, help justify the price enough to support ongoing sales despite the costs.
Outlook For Prices Remains Uncertain
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen whether beef jerky prices will continue to rise or face downward pressure. On one hand, specialty jerky companies continue innovating with new premium offerings that could push prices up further. Exotic ingredients like bison, elk, and venison are also introducing even higher price points. However, mass market brands are working to trim costs to enable more affordable offerings. Meat industry disruptors are exploring more efficient processing methods. Ultimately consumers will decide if this snack is worth shelling out extra cash to enjoy.
Beef Jerky is an Expensive Process
Another reason beef jerky is so expensive is the process and equipment it takes to make it. Sure, you can make beef jerky at home with a smoker or even your oven, but doing it on a large scale and selling hundreds of pounds of it requires a lot of people, machines, and time. Beef jerky is so expensive partly to compensate for the various costs of making it.
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Beef for Jerky Can Be Expensive to Buy
Beef jerky can be expensive for people who outsource their beef to make it. If people buy their beef from outside sources in the beef market, they have to adjust their beef jerky prices based on how much they have to pay it for.
Thats a big reason why here at Top Notch Jerky, we grow our own beef in order to provide our customers with the best prices possible. We own and control everything from our cattle to the selling of our jerky which allows us to cut the costs that come from having middle-men (ranchers, processing, retailers). We just bring the beef from our cows to you in order to make it so our beef jerky isnt so expensive.
The Real Reason Beef Jerky Is So Expensive
FAQ
Why are jerky prices so high?
By June of 2021, the cost of beef cuts used to make jerky went up 100% and the scarcity of supplies and shortages of employees in factories and businesses …
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.
Is it cheaper to make your own beef jerky?
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Meat Cost:You can potentially save by buying lean cuts of beef on sale or in bulk, according to a discussion on Reddit.
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Ingredients:You can use spices and flavorings you already have, further reducing the cost, notes a post on Quora.
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Quantity:Making your own allows you to control the amount of jerky you make, potentially reducing waste compared to buying pre-packaged jerky that may come in larger quantities than you need.
How much jerky does 1lb of beef make?
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Quorahttps://www.quora.comHow many pounds of meat does it take to make a pound of jerky?Sep 11, 2020 — Making jerky will reduce the weight of beef by 3:1, that is, 3 pounds of beef will yield approximately one pound of jerky. … As such, for every FO…
Why is jerky so expensive?
The main reason jerky is so expensive is because it takes a lot more meat to make it than the 2.7 ounces we see. Pennsylvania-based Big John’s Beef Jerky explained this on its site, as it is a commonly asked question: The main reason is that all jerky is costly to make. Beef is about 60% water, so when it is dried most of the weight is evaporated.
Why is Big John’s beef jerky so expensive?
Pennsylvania-based Big John’s Beef Jerky explained this on its site, as it is a commonly asked question: The main reason is that all jerky is costly to make. Beef is about 60% water, so when it is dried most of the weight is evaporated. It takes about 2.5 Lbs of quality beef to make 1 Lb of jerky.
Why is lawless jerky so expensive?
The owner of Arizona-based Lawless Jerky touched on the subject in a 2014 Reddit thread, confirming Big John’s explanation, and adding that cost of labor, cost of beef, packaging, shipping, and even insurance for a production facility all come into play with that relatively high price tag on the shelf.
How much does beef jerky cost?
In that same thread, a Reddit user got a little more specific with the type of meat used for beef jerky, saying that jerky is usually made with rump roast, which can often go for about $5.99 a pound. “You buy a bag of jerky that’s around 7 bucks because it was once 7 bucks worth of meat and spices,” Reddit user cdb3492 said.
Why is beef jerky popular?
Beef jerky is popular among soldiers and astronauts due to its ease in eating and storing during long trips. Another factor contributing to the increasing sales of beef jerky is dieters and body-builders who see it as a way to enhance their daily protein intake on the go. Beef jerky remains the most popular snack for these reasons.
How much jerky is produced from a pound of steak?
A pound of jerky is produced from four pounds of fresh, trimmed meat. Suggested cuts include lean beef round, flank, chuck, rump, or brisket.