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  • 10 Best Healthy Jerkies in 2022 (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed) 5

10 Best Healthy Jerkies in 2022 (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed)

When looking for a quick snack that’ll satiate your hunger, jerky is one of the best options available. Most conventional jerkies are full of chemicals, sugars, and fat, but we’ve looked into some healthier options so that you can eat the high-protein, low fat snack virtually guilt-free.

In our research, we found that the best healthy jerkies can be made from a variety of meats, contain just a few whole food ingredients, and have a balanced macronutrient profile. Keeping these things in mind, we’ve handpicked some of our favorite healthy jerkies available online, with Ayoba taking first place. You can read more about our product choice criteria in our buying guide reviewed by a registered dietitian.
Last updated 09/26/2023
Rachel Binkley
Expert
Registered Dietitian (RD, LD)
Rachel Binkley

Rachel Binkley is a registered dietitian who helps individuals develop healthy habits that fit into their lifestyle. She recommends adequate intakes of all micronutrients to help prevent deficiency as well as chronic conditions that may arise. You can keep up with her recipes, lifestyle, and more on Instagram or her blog, S'more Satisfaction.

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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Healthy Jerky – Buying Guide

Figuring out what’s healthy and what isn’t is pretty easy when it comes to jerkies. Keep the following in mind, and you should be good to go.
1

Consider Flavor and Nutrition When Choosing a Meat

Consider Flavor and Nutrition When Choosing a Meat
We’re most used to seeing beef jerky, but in fact, almost any kind of meat can be made into jerky. When deciding what kind of meat to get, you naturally want to think about how it’ll taste, but different meats also have different nutrient profiles

Beef, for instance, is high in protein but also quite high in fat. Venison or bison, on the other hand, are leaner and have a more unique gamey flavor. Fish jerky can sometimes be high in fat, but those fats are heart-healthy Omega-3s.


Another way to determine the nutrition of the meat that you’re eating is by looking for labeling that states the meat has been “grass-fed and finished” and is hormone- and antibiotic-free. Meats raised in conventional mass agriculture are often pumped full of chemicals and fed foods that lead to lower nutritional values.

2

Avoid Preservatives and Artificial Flavorings

Avoid Preservatives and Artificial Flavorings
The key ingredients that many people try to avoid when picking a jerky are nitrates and nitrites. These are used as preservatives in meats and nitrites, in particular, have been linked to cancer; this link is dependent on how the food is prepared and whether or not the nitrites convert to carcinogenic nitrosamines in the mouth or while proteins are cooked on high heat. 

However, the likelihood of nitrates and nitrites in food causing cancer is very low, so there is no need to completely cut them out of your diet. Note that many nitrate-free options still contain plant-based nitrites, so no matter what type of jerky you go for, eat in moderation.


As a general all-around good measure, look for jerkies that have ingredient lists that only include things you yourself might use in the kitchen. Particularly if you’re going for a flavored jerky, it’s important to carefully read the label.

3

Watch Out for Too Much Sodium, Sugar, and Saturated Fat

Too much of any one of these ingredients—sodium, sugar, and salt—can lead to heart and overall health issues in the future. That's why you should always eat in moderation, but also try to find the healthiest options.

Limit Sodium to 500 Milligrams

Limit Sodium to 500 Milligrams
At its core, jerky is essentially meat that’s been cured in salt. As such, it’s unsurprising that a lot of jerkies can have some pretty high levels of sodium. However, too much sodium can be bad for your health, particularly if you have heart problems. 

To ensure that you’re not consuming too much sodium, look for jerkies that have less than 500 milligrams of sodium per serving (though that’s still about 20% of your daily recommended amount!). Be sure to also check serving size.

Keep Sugar at Under 5 Grams

Keep Sugar at Under 5 Grams

In addition, sugar is added in tandem with sodium to give jerkies their distinctive savory edge. Consumption of too much sugar can affect your blood sugar, is linked to heart disease, and relates to diabetes management. Try to look for jerky that uses natural sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup, and with under 5 grams of sugar.

Lower Your Saturated Fat Intake

Lower Your Saturated Fat Intake

You may also want to be conscious of how much fat is in your jerky, as a high intake of fat can lead to cardiovascular disease. Jerkies with higher fat content can taste more succulent and soft, but you should aim to look for a low-fat jerky, as your general intake of saturated fat should be kept at 15.5 grams a day.

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10 Best Healthy Jerkies

Here are our 10 best picks for healthy jerkies. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available. *Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Rachel Binkley. For more on our selection process, check out our content policy.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Ayoba

Biltong Grass Fed, Tender Beef Snack2 oz.

Ayoba Biltong Grass Fed, Tender Beef Snack 1

$7.99

Low Mid

Simple, Sun-dried, No-Fluff Beef Jerky

2

Golden Island

Korean BBQ Pork Jerky1.5 oz., 12 packs

Golden Island Korean BBQ Pork Jerky 1

$33.49

High Mid

A Balance of Sweet, Spicy, and Pork

3

One For Neptune

Wild Caught White Fish Jerky, Fiery Cajun2.2 oz

One For Neptune Wild Caught White Fish Jerky, Fiery Cajun 1

$8.99

Low Mid

Made of Sustainably Caught White Fish

4

Wild West Jerky

Wood-Smoked Buffalo Jerky2 oz.

Wild West Jerky Wood-Smoked Buffalo Jerky 1

$7.25

Low Mid

All-Natural, Woodsmoked Buffalo Jerky

5

People’s Choice Beef Jerky

Old-Fashioned Original Beef Jerky16 oz.

People’s Choice Beef Jerky Old-Fashioned Original Beef Jerky 1

$25.00

Mid

Buy Beef Jerky in Bulk

6

Sogo Snacks

Beef Sticks1 oz., 12 count

Sogo Snacks Beef Sticks 1

$23.95

Mid

Stick-Style for On-the-Go

7

The New Primal

Free-Range Chicken & Maple Meat Sticks for Kids5 sticks, 8 count

The New Primal Free-Range Chicken & Maple Meat Sticks for Kids 1

$37.95

High Mid

Kids and Adults Can Enjoy This Snack

8

FBomb

Keto Meat Sticks, Salt and Pepper Pork12 pack

FBomb Keto Meat Sticks, Salt and Pepper Pork 1

$24.99

Mid

Pork-Based, High-Fat, and Keto-Friendly

9

Wild Zora

Meat and Veggie Bars, Mediterranean Lamb1 oz., 10 count

Wild Zora Meat and Veggie Bars, Mediterranean Lamb 1

$29.95

High Mid

Fruit and Veggie-Infused Jerky

10

Perky Jerky

More Than Just Original Turkey Jerky14 oz.

Perky Jerky More Than Just Original Turkey Jerky 1

$16.99

Mid

A Turkey Jerky That's Super Soft and Lean

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

AyobaBiltong Grass Fed, Tender Beef Snack2 oz.

Biltong Grass Fed, Tender Beef Snack 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$7.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$7.99
Low Mid

Simple, Sun-dried, No-Fluff Beef Jerky

Biltong is a minimally processed South African jerky that’s been sun-dried and contains no sugar. It’s soft, easy to chew, and great for those watching their macros.

Reviewers write that it’s well-spiced and tasty, despite the lack of sugar. The slices are on the thinner side, and many write that it’s as close as you can get to real African biltong without having to fly to Africa.
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No.2

Golden IslandKorean BBQ Pork Jerky1.5 oz., 12 packs

Korean BBQ Pork Jerky 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$33.49
High Mid
Reference price
$33.49
High Mid

A Balance of Sweet, Spicy, and Pork

This Korean-spiced pork jerky is soft, succulent, and extremely tasty. It’s made in small batches with all-natural, whole-food ingredients.

Reviewers rave about its addictive flavoring that’s neither too sweet nor too salty. They write that the texture is moist and not at all stringy as some jerkies can be.
No.3

One For NeptuneWild Caught White Fish Jerky, Fiery Cajun2.2 oz

Reference price
$8.99
Low Mid

Made of Sustainably Caught White Fish

This lower calorie, almost non-fat jerky is made from sustainable, while-caught white fish. It’s flavored with a delightful combination of fresh herbs and spices and is non-GMO and gluten-free.

Reviewers love the healthier nutrient profile compared to beef and though it has a very similar texture to beef. It has just the vaguest fish scent but hardly tastes fishy, which makes it great for those averse to seafood.
No.4

Wild West JerkyWood-Smoked Buffalo Jerky2 oz.

Reference price
$7.25
Low Mid

All-Natural, Woodsmoked Buffalo Jerky

Made with just a few choice ingredients, this buffalo jerky is about as all-natural as you can get. Wild West Jerky dry rubs the meat, wood smokes it, and breaks it down by hand to give you medium thick-cut and tender pieces of buffalo. Wild West Jerky also has six other flavors if you want to try something new.

Reviewers liken eating this jerky to snacking on filet mignon and absolutely love the meaty flavor and texture. However, it is a bit pricey for the amount that you get, so you may want to consider this a treat jerky.
No.5

People’s Choice Beef JerkyOld-Fashioned Original Beef Jerky16 oz.

Reference price
$25.00
Mid

Buy Beef Jerky in Bulk

This bulk bag of beef jerky is nothing but good stuff. Sugar-, gluten-, and MSG-free, it’s beef jerky the old-fashioned way–chewy, not too soft, but not too hard either.

Reviewers write that this jerky is lean, simply flavored, and requires a bit of chewing. Despite its lack of preservatives, it is good for up to a year unrefrigerated, which shows you that it’s properly preserved.
No.6

Sogo SnacksBeef Sticks1 oz., 12 count

Beef Sticks 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$23.95
Mid
Reference price
$23.95
Mid

Stick-Style for On-the-Go

For those who like the grab-and-go beef stick type jerkies, here’s a healthier, preservative-free option. Unlike most beef sticks, which tend to be made from low-quality meat scraps, these are made with Non-GMO Project-certified grass-fed beef.

Reviewers love the flavor and texture and write that these are much less greasy than conventional beef jerky sticks. However, do note that this particular listing might arrive close to the expiration date, so be sure to double-check your package before eating.
No.7

The New PrimalFree-Range Chicken & Maple Meat Sticks for Kids5 sticks, 8 count

Free-Range Chicken & Maple Meat Sticks for Kids 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$37.95
High Mid
Reference price
$37.95
High Mid

Kids and Adults Can Enjoy This Snack

This chicken jerky is packaged for kids to take as a snack, but it’s great for adults as well. Low-calorie and just lightly sweet, it’s a well-balanced snack to help you stay energized through the day.

Reviewers (and their kids) love the flavor and appreciate that it’s a balanced alternative to sugar-laden snacks. Though it comes in eight packages, each stick is wrapped individually, making it easy to grab on the go.
No.8

FBombKeto Meat Sticks, Salt and Pepper Pork12 pack

Reference price
$24.99
Mid

Pork-Based, High-Fat, and Keto-Friendly

With 10 grams of fat per serving (and just 1 gram of carbs), these high-fat pork sticks were designed with those following a ketogenic diet in mind. Each stick is individually wrapped, which makes it easy to grab for an on-the-go snack.

Reviewers write that these sticks really curb your hunger. They’re softer than some other stick-style jerkies and the skin breaks down easily with the meat, but some reviewers report that the texture can be a little grainy.
No.9

Wild ZoraMeat and Veggie Bars, Mediterranean Lamb1 oz., 10 count

Meat and Veggie Bars, Mediterranean Lamb 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$29.95
High Mid
Reference price
$29.95
High Mid

Fruit and Veggie-Infused Jerky

These meat and veggie bars are like granola bars for carnivores–they’re primarily made from antibiotic- and hormone-free lamb but also include veggies and fruits for added flavor, texture, and nutrients.

Reviewers write that these bars are soft, rich, and moist. The flavor is delicate, and the taste of lamb isn’t overpowering. However, they aren’t very large, and you may find that they’re a bit expensive for the amount you get.
No.10

Perky JerkyMore Than Just Original Turkey Jerky14 oz.

Reference price
$16.99
Mid

A Turkey Jerky That's Super Soft and Lean

Despite how lean this turkey is (less than 1 gram of fat per serving), it’s still soft and succulent. Plus, it's guaranteed not to get stuck in your teeth.

Reviewers write that it’s extremely tender–which may not be what you’re looking for, admittedly. It comes in large pieces, which is great if you don’t want to keep sticking your hand in the bag.

Find More Healthy Snacks

Jerkies are great for the occasional snack, but sometimes they aren't satisfying enough. For more variety in your healthy snacking routine, why not try one of the options below?

Top 5 Healthy Jerkies

No. 1: AyobaBiltong Grass Fed, Tender Beef Snack2 oz.

No. 2: Golden IslandKorean BBQ Pork Jerky1.5 oz., 12 packs

No. 3: One For NeptuneWild Caught White Fish Jerky, Fiery Cajun2.2 oz

No. 4: Wild West JerkyWood-Smoked Buffalo Jerky2 oz.

No. 5: People’s Choice Beef JerkyOld-Fashioned Original Beef Jerky16 oz.

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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