Dried meat is a very popular delicacy among people who exercise , containing a huge amount of protein and only a minimum of calories. And of course, this is taken advantage of by a whole range of companies that offer all kinds of dried meats. As we've found in our testing today, the best jerky is quite often the less and we're sure you'll find the rankings a new source of inspiration and tips. Let's take a closer look at the top ten jerky on our market.
7 best dried meats based on testing
| Ranking | Image | Product | Main advantages | Price | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
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Vilgain Biltong | per pack, 2 available variants, Premium beef | Best price More information Reviews | |
| 2. |
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Maso Here | per pack, Huge number of variants, Special types | Best price More information | |
| 3. |
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Fine Gusto Jerky | per pack, 13 available variants, 5 pack sizes | $2,68 | Best price More information |
| 4. |
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Jim Jerky | per pack, 5 available variants, Unusual combinations | $2,24 | Best price More information |
| 5. |
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Royal Jerky | per pack, 3 available variants, Excellent taste | $2,96 | Best price More information |
| 6. |
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Indiana Jerky | per pack, 7 available variants, Extremely popular dried meat | $7,96 | Best price More information Reviews |
| 7. |
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Jack Links Jerky | per pack, 3 available variants, Availability in two pack sizes | $6,36 | Best price More information |
Detailed comparison of jerky
In our selection of the best cured meat, we must not miss the biltong from Vilgain, which is in a word fabulous. Honest Czech beef from premium farms, a pinch of salt and spices. Three ingredients that together can create a unique taste experience and enrich yourj diet on a hike, on long journeys or in the comfort of your home with a good portion of protein.
Benefits:
- Honest Czech beef
- No unnecessary additives
- No sugar
- Great taste and ideal consistency
- Packages of 25, 50 and 100 grams
Disadvantages:
- Only 2 flavour options to choose from
How we rate the ingredients:
Vilgain Biltong is available in 2 flavours, namely original and chilli. The original variant is made up of 98% meat, with the other two percent split evenly between the two sea salt and spices - we can't fault this composition even if we wanted to. In the chilli variant, the Carolina Reaper enters the aforementioned two per cent not attributable to meat, which is present in such a small amount that the chilli variant is not extremely hot.
How we rate the taste:
Taste-wise, we have absolutely nothing to fault this meat either. It has a rather interesting consistency, as it is relatively soft in taste and disintegrates pleasantly in the mouthThis will be especially appreciated by those of you who do not want their jerky to be chewy and hard. The chilli variant probably interested us a little more, because the addition of the aforementioned Carolina reaper makes it slightly hotter, which suited us fine.
Final assessment:
The only drawback of this meat is that you can only choose between two variants, which is really small compared to the offer of, for example, Meat Here. On the other hand, both available versions taste great and the meat offers relatively good value for money, with 3 sizes to choose from. We therefore definitely recommend giving this product a try.
Second place in our ranking goes to dried meat from the company Maso Here, which has a plethora of cured meats in its repertoire that is sure to be to everyone's taste.
You can choose from classic variants such as turkey or beef, but you can also find deer meat, which is truly atypical. In addition to garlic and chilli, you can also indulge in flavours such as Piri Piri, chilli and cumin and more, so there really is something for even the pickiest of you.
Pros:
- 40g pack is the perfect amount
- You can choose from a really large variety of products
- High quality jerky made in the Czech Republic
- Good value for money
Disadvantages:
- Higher price
How we rate the ingredients:
The composition of the dried meat from Maso Here varies, of course, depending on the variant chosen, eachHowever, they are all united by the absence of any unsuitable ingredients, which is obviously a very positive finding.
If you look at Beef Original, for example, you will find only and only jerky, salt and a unique blend of spices that Maso Here does not disclose. No flavorings, no preservatives or other substances that would somehow negatively affect the resulting quality or our positive view of this meat.
How we liked the meat:
Maso Here's jerky is, plain and simple, awesome and there's nothing to fault it. From the beef to the deer, which I personally found a little tough.It's really balanced in taste and doesn't have a single flaw that could be faulted.The meat is not over-salted, which in my opinion is a huge plus, because nowadays it is sol in absolutely everything, so there is no need to go extremely overboard with it.
The spices bring out the flavour of the meat even more, but at the same time they don't seem to be distracting. You can clearly detect garlic and pepper, which is the ideal combination for cured meat from my point of view.
Final rating:
You may be wondering why Meat Here's jerky came in second place when we have nothing to fault it for. It is because of the slightly worse price/quantity ratio, which plays in favour of the South Bohemian Jerky. Jihočeský Jerky may be smaller, but if you buy two packs, they still come out cheaper than one from Maso Here.
Otherwise though, this Jerky has no flaws, from the taste to the ingredients it is absolutely fabulous and I'm sure you'll love it too.
Close behind the top three, we have to mention the Fine Gusto Jerky, which is simply and simply fabulous.
We appreciate the great taste, but also the zero additive content, because the original version contains only meat and salt. For lovers of finely sliced, unsalted jerky, Fine Gusto is the obvious choice.
Advantages:
- A large variety of different variants
- Taste-wise excellent
- Contains no unnecessary ingredients
Disadvantages:
- Compared to competing products, it is quite expensive
How we rate the ingredients:
I extremely appreciate the composition of the unflavored variants, as they contain only meat and salt, which in my opinion is completely I don't see why other manufacturers add X other ingredients to the unflavoured versions.
If you look at the variants with some flavouring, the composition is already a bit worsebecause like Jim Jerky, which are next in line, they contain glycerol for example. But apart from that, I have to rate Fine Gusto very positively and can only recommend them.
How we rate the taste:
In the case of Fine Gusto, I was most impressed by the unflavoured variants that I had the opportunity to try. Although the meat is quite dry and tough, thanks to cutting it into relatively large It was good to eat and it was not over-salted at all, which is unfortunately a problem with many dried meats. Whether you choose turkey or beef, it's a good choice and, given no added ingredients, will please absolutely everyone.
Final rating:
The overall impression of Fine Gusto Jerky is spoiled only by the higher price, because one packet of SouthJerky, which won in our comparison, will cost you cheaper. I also don't see much reason to use glycerol when other manufacturers manage without it. Especially if we are talking about dried meat of this price category.
In 5th place in our ranking is Jim Jerky, which is a premium jerky made in the Czech Republic. Their repertoire includes a really wide range of products, including unusual snack bars flavoured with apricots, plums or BBQ. High quality at a very reasonable price makes Jim Jerky definitely one of the best jerky producers you will find on the market.
Pros:
- Large selection including non-traditional snacks
- Really nice price
- Available in drugstores or supermarkets
Disadvantages:
- Some variants contain glycerol, for example
How we rate the ingredients:
- Jim Jerky's jerky has a fairly good composition, but I'm a bit puzzled by the use of glycerol as a moisturizer in the jerkyIt's a rather unusual ingredient that I could easily do without and I don't think it belongs in jerky. Many competing products obviously manage without it. The unflavored versions are of course fine, but if you want to try the BBQ version, you'll find extra sugar in it. I certainly have minor reservations about the ingredients, but on the other hand, the ingredients used are not such a health problem compared to nitrites, for example.
How we liked the meat:
- Jim Jerky impressed me in terms of taste. It is sliced quite thinly, but it is not extremely dry, so it is really good to eat. At the same time, it's not over-salted either, so I really have nothing to fault the plain version. The bacon and sriracha variants also taste good and I definitely recommend trying them. Jim Jerky used to make a fruit version as well, but we weren't impressed at all. These consisted of a combination of fruit and dried meat, making the bars relatively soft and quite interesting. However, since the company no longer produces them, there is no point in dwelling on them.
Final rating:
- Jim Jerky is rightfully in the middle of our rankings. It's definitely much better than Indiana Jerky or Jack Links, which we ranked last. And not just in taste, but more importantly in composition. On the other hand, due to its glycerol, sugar or potassium sorbate content, we can't rank it among the very best products on the market, because their ingredients are free of any additives.
The sixth place in our ranking belongs to Royal Jerky, which is a Czech producer of premiumIrish beef jerky of the highest quality.
It also differs from its competitors with its own special production process, DryMeat, whereby no dyes or ethers are added to the meat.
Benefits:
- Excellent taste
- Special DryMeat production technology
- High quality Irish beef
Disadvantages:
- Only 3 variants available
- Quite a few added ingredients
How we rate the ingredients:
There is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with the Royal Jerky formula, but I still think it could be better. What really strikes me is that even the original variant contains sugar, fructose syrup, flavourings and other ingredients that I wouldn't have imagined here at all. So the resulting good taste is slightly offset by the slightly worse ingredients.
How we liked the meat:
In the case of Royal Jerky, I have to extremely appreciate the ideal degree of drying, as the meat is neither over-dried nor under-dried. I was definitely most impressed by the Sweet Chilli variant, which is hot, but definitely not extremely so, leaving a slightly spicy aftertaste in the mouth.
The spices in the original variant bother me a bit, because I really imagine only dried meat under this name.
Final rating:
The Royal Jerky jerky tastes absolutely fabulous and you can also rely on the fact that the meat is really of the highest quality. On the other hand, the ingredients are much more extensive than I would have expected and you can only choose from 3 variants, which is really quite a few. Still, I think this jerky is worth a try and I can recommend it.
The penultimate place in our ranking is occupied by Indiana Jerky, which despite its huge popularity did not impress us at all. It is available in several variants and several different pack sizes, but in terms of tasteIn terms of taste, it doesn't have much to offer and it contains a lot of ingredients that shouldn't be in a quality jerky.
Advantages:
- A really wide selection with something for everyone
- Relatively pleasant price
Disadvantages:
- Contains nitrite and other ingredients that should not be in good quality meat
- Taste-wise, the meat did not impress us at all
How we rate the ingredients:
Anyone expecting to find, at most, jerky and salt in their jerky was wildly mistaken (at least in the case of Indiana Jerky). In addition to these ingredients, the meat contains sugar, dextrose and maltodextrin, three substances used to sweeten the meat.
To make it more attractive, the meat is coloured with caramel and, of course, the highly controversial sodium nitrite. These are several ingredients that shouldn't be in a good quality jerky at all and are reasons for me to never buy Indiana Jerky again.
How we liked the meat:
I have to be honest and say that Indiana Jerky didn't impress me significantly in terms of flavor. I don't like that even the Original version itself is sweet, as I like native ingredients without any flavorings affecting the taste.
The Hot&Sweet flavour is definitely more sweet than hot, and the best flavour for me is probably Peppered, which was well balanced in terms of taste. Ultimately though, there are much better products.
Final rating:
Indiana Jerky doesn't have much to offer from my point of view. There are definitely better products in terms of taste, the ingredients are not worth mentioning at all. The only benefit is the relatively good price, but I personally prefer to pay more for better quality meat. So I definitely do not recommend Indiana Jerky.
Our top ten jerky list is rounded out by Jack Links jerky , which unlike most of our previous products, was quite disappointing.
It contains considerably less protein than some competing products, sodium nitrite and sugar in the ingredients, but the price is identical to some of the better products.
Pros:
- Meat is available in two pack sizes - 25g and 70g
Disadvantages:
- Contains sodium nitrite and sugar
- Price comparable to better products
- Low protein content
- Relatively large amount of added ingredients
How we rate the ingredients:
To be honest, I'm quite surprised that Jack Links contains 40g of protein per 100g of meat, but Jimmy's Food, for example, contains 65g of protein. Leaving aside the lower protein content, the meat still containsthe controversial sodium nitriteand sugar and flavourings that I don't think should be in a quality product.
When I buy jerky, I don't expect it to contain, for example24g of simple sugars when, for example, the aforementioned Jimmy's Food contains only 0.37g of sugar.
How we rate the taste:
Taste-wise, the meat is definitely not bad, I have to appreciate that it is quite tender and I particularly liked the Teriyaki variant a lot.On the other hand, I found the hot and sweet version more sweet than spicy and since I don't really like sweet meat, I don't recommend this version. However, given the poor quality of the ingredients, which frankly disappointed me, I would still prefer other representatives from this list.
Final rating:
I honestly don't recommend Jack Links jerky to anyone, and while the taste is quite good, the other aspects aren't worth much. Considering the fact that it is absolutely comparable in price to any other product on our list, I would definitely recommend preferring other products and avoiding this one. It doesn't offer anything that would ever make me want to invest again.
How did we choose the best jerky?
As it is usual in our rankings, we have compiled the rankings completely independently according to...based on criteria that we consider extremely important to every consumer. In the case of dried meat, it is primarily three basic pillars:
- composition, because, although it is not necessary, many manufacturers try to increase the shelf life of the productpreservatives, using flavourings, sweeteners, humectants and who knows what other ingredients that have no place in good quality meat.
- Taste, because apart from being a healthy food full of protein and with a minimum ofIt is also very tasty if the producer can flavour it well.
- price, because nobody wants to pay more for jerky than they have to.
And then, of course, we also took into account whether the producer appealed to us with some products that you can't find elsewhere and something that sets it apart from the rest. Because our reviews are independent, we tried dozens of different products and chose the one that was right for you.only the really good ones that are worth recommending to you.
Are jerky a good fitness snack?
You may be wondering if jerky can be considered a good fitness snack. And the answer is simple. In case you can't eat normally, for example because you're on someon a trip, or you just don't have time because of work, they're the best possible snack. They contain a huge amount of protein and only a minimum of calories.
However, the condition is that you must choose meat without nitrates, nitrites and other added ingredients that have no place in dried meat.
When is jerky suitable?
Dried meat is a snack you can use absolutely anytime. It' s perfect for school, work, nature walks and the city, and it's great for when you need a low-calorie, protein-rich snack. You will appreciate them most in the following cases:
1.
Personally, I prefer jerky when I'm busy and can't keep up with regular meals. The jerky is instantly ready, eaten in seconds and filling. Plus, you can always have them ready next to your computer and can get on with your work without any distractions.
2. For walks
You'll certainly appreciate the jerky even on demanding nature walks, because in very small quantities it canIn a small amount you can take in a nutritionally rich meal that will fill you up and provide your body with the necessary amount of protein.
3. For school
From time to time, everyone is bound to forget to bring a snack from home and therefore has to buy one. Rather than buying fake bagels from the cafeteria or eating some over-sweetened protein bars, it seems it' s definitely easier to keep jerky in my locker or carry it in my backpack and pull it out when I need it. You won't notice a few extra grams on your back and you never know when they might come in handy.
What is the best meat for jerky?
You've probably noticed that there are all sorts of different of jerky, from classic pork to turkey to beef to deer. It's probably impossible to say which is the best, because each of them is taste-wise and usually beef is more tough than turkey, for example. However, the quality of all types is comparable, so I definitely recommend alternating between the different varieties so you don't overeat the meat.
Can you make homemade jerky?
Of course you can, and if you have a powerful dryer, it's not even a problem. Just cut the meat into roughly 3mm thin slices, season them as you like (I like to use just salt myself), let them marinate overnight in the fridge and then place them in the dehydrator. You can definitely tell that the meat is done, but from my own experience I recommend drying the meat for at least 6-8 hours at 60°C.
Where do we recommend buying jerky?
Jerky is a popular delicacy that you can find in almost every drugstore or supermarket. If you only eat them occasionally, or you're looking for them at the last minute, this is obviously the most practical choice. But if, like us, you're a true lover, it's definitely worth buying jerky online, because in some cases there really is a marked difference in terms of price.
To make our ranking as clear as possible for you, we've put a link to the best jerky for each meatso that you don't throw a penny out of the window and can buy your jerky supplies, for example, together with supplements.
Sources
- https://www.svetfitness.cz/clanek/svaciny-na-turu/
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MANDELOVÁ, Lucie and Iva HRNČIŘÍKOVÁ. Brno: Masaryk University, 2007. ISBN 978-80-210-4281-0.
Biltong or jerky?
Dried meat can be divided into two basic groups - jerky and biltong. While the first name is quite familiar in the Czech Republic, biltong may be a novelty for many. What is the difference between these types of meat? The main difference between the two types is where they come from. While jerky is native to North America, biltong has its roots in South Africa. The different climate has influenced the way the local people prepare the jerky. Jerky was traditionally made from beef, but it is also possible to find poultry, pork or exotic variants. The meat was first cut into thin strips, then marinated with a mixture that usually contained, among other things, sugar, and finally dried for several hours at a relatively high temperature (around 70 °C). Traditional jerky was also often smoked before drying.
Biltong, on the other hand, is first cut into larger pieces, which are marinated in a mixture containing a higher amount of salt and, above all, vinegar. The meat is then dried at normal temperature for about two weeks. However, the high salt and vinegar content means that it does not spoil, which is why this method of preparation was also suitable in warm southern Africa. The biltong is cut into small strips after drying. As a result, the two types of meat have a different consistency and are characterised by different flavours. Jerky is usually drier, while some biltong can be quite fluffy. Which type of jerky you prefer is entirely up to you. If you're intrigued by biltong, don't overlook our separate review on Vilgain Biltong, and if you're tempted by sleepingthe North American way of preparing jerky, check out our review of Indiana Jerky.