Taking a road trip to check some places off your burger bucket list or brewery bucket list? Killing time with a magazine during the afternoon slump? Got the munchies after a night of trying new beers? You need snacks—beef jerky, specifically. The iconic road trip and workout power snack has come a long way since the gas station garbage we all grew up with. There’s a whole new world of cured meat snacks out there that you need to try, so start with one of our eight favorite beef jerkies.
Field Trip Beef Jerky
All natural. Gluten free. Grass-fed beef. No preservatives. No nitrites. No corn syrup. No added MSG. Field Trip Beef Jerky checks all the boxes you want checked if you’re the kind of person that shops at Whole Foods, which is why the three health conscious friends started Field Trip in the first place. But don’t let the healthiness of this jerky fool you, it’s damn delicious. $6.5/2.2oz Bag
The New Primal
Whatever The New Primal lacks in ridiculous flavor combinations (they only make Original and Spicy) they more than make up for in their paleo-friendly jerkies that are made with grass-fed and grass-finished beef, which is seasoned with spices like white pepper, smoked paprika and ginger, and sweetened with honey, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. It’s so healthy you won’t feel bad about eating the whole bag. $55/8x 2oz Bags
Red Truck Old Bay Seasoned Beef Jerky
For over 15 years, Red Truck Beef Jerky has been putting delicious, American beef from the fields of Idaho in decidedly old school style packaging that’s just as good as the beef morsels inside. The classic flavors (Original, Peppered, Teriyaki and Hot) are all great, but you really want the Red Truck Old Bay Seasoned Beef Jerky for just the right amount of kick from the iconic seasoning all over your beef snack. $7/2oz Bag
Three Jerks Filet Mignon Beef Jerky
The meat cut generally reserved for special occasions and fancy dinners, filet mignon, has been transformed by Three Jerks into what is essentially the caviar of beef jerky. Each Handmade in California bag of Three Jerks Filet Mignon Beef Jerky is chock-full of delicious, tender beef accented with classic flavors and unique originals like Maple Bourbon Churro. The only problem is the bag never contains enough of the best beef jerky out there. $10/2oz Bag
Perky Jerky
Perky Jerky might not be caffeinated anymore (thanks, FDA!), but it’s still one of the best bags of beef jerky out there. It’s available practically everywhere. It’s reasonably priced. It comes in four deliciously bold flavors. It’s made without all the additives and fillers. The best part about Perky Jerky, though, is the fact you’ll never pull one of those hard, stringy, dry pieces out of the bag because all the beef is perfectly tender. $5/2.2oz Bag
Jerky’s Gourmet Premium Beef Jerky
Jerky’s Gourmet has all the important characteristics you should be looking for in jerky—grass fed, no hormones, no antibiotics, tender cuts, blah, blah, blah. All great aspects, but nothing compared to the flavor selection you’ll get with Jerky’s Gourmet Premium Beef Jerky. Ghost Pepper. Sweet Citrus. India Pale Ale. Habanero Sculpin made with the iconic beer from Ballast Point. Jerky’s Gourmet is for everyone bored of the classic jerky flavors. $7/2oz Bag
Mountain America Jerky
Colorado-based Mountain America Jerky has been making premium meat snacks for two decades, and those years of operation show in the quality of their jerkies. From Teriyaki and Sweet & Spicy to Garlic Black Pepper and Habañero, Mountain America has developed a cult following because every delicious bag is filled with moist, chewy and tender beef jerky you could eat all day. They also get bonus points for a wide selection of Exotic Jerkies ranging from snake and boar to kangaroo and ostrich. $9/3.25oz Bag
Appalachian Jerky Company
If you want your jerky moist and packaged in a bag that went through a marketing department, Appalachian Jerky Company Beef Jerky is not for you. Appalachian’s three flavors of beef jerky are more on the leathery side and look like something you’d acquire from a roadside gas station in Wisconsin where a guy in the back makes it by hand. From the slightly more satisfying pull and chew to the focus on the natural and delicious jerky instead of fancy marketing, we love everything about the Appalachian Jerky Company. $4.75/1.75oz Bag
