Protein is a must-have macronutrient, especially for those looking to manage weight, build muscle, or maintain healthy blood pressure. For protein seekers, jerky is a top choice, delivering impressive protein levels—some varieties offer up to 16 grams per serving! One big appeal of jerky is that, unlike other high-protein snacks like hard-boiled eggs or cheese, it’s shelf-stable and doesn’t require refrigeration, making it perfect for on-the-go snacking. The smoky, savory taste only adds to its appeal. If you’re ready to add jerky to your snack rotation, it’s helpful to know some of the best options available.
However, not all jerky is created equal. While jerky can be a great portable, low-carb source of protein, iron, and other nutrients, certain types come loaded with less desirable ingredients, like excessive sodium, chemical nitrates, and fillers.
To help you sift through the many jerky options on the market, we consulted with dietitians to select their top picks—and identify those better left on the grocery shelf.
How We Selected the Best Healthy Jerky Brands
To be classified as one of the best jerky brands, each option needed to meet several key criteria. While not every “best” jerky checked all the boxes, they came very close.
Here are the factors we considered when selecting the top beef jerky options:
- Sodium: Since sodium is commonly used in jerky for preservation, finding sodium-free varieties is rare. However, we focused on jerkies with sodium content under 450 milligrams per serving to support heart health.
- Sugar: While sugar is sometimes added as a preservative, we prioritized jerkies with no added sugars, though some contain up to 5 grams per serving.
- Protein: Jerky is a popular source of portable, high-quality protein. We selected options with at least 5 grams of protein per serving.
- Meat Source: The quality of meat matters, so we prioritized grass-fed, organic, and hormone-free beef for additional health benefits. We also considered alternative proteins, like fish, if they offered unique health benefits.
- Ingredients: Jerkies containing synthetic nitrites or other artificial ingredients didn’t make our list.
After carefully reviewing jerky options and consulting with nutrition experts, here are the best and worst choices for jerky lovers everywhere.
The Healthiest Beef Jerky Brands
- Country Archer Zero Sugar Classic Beef Jerky
- Lorissa's Kitchen Original Smoke Show
- Stryve Biltong Original
- Think Grass-Fed Beef Jerky
- CHOMPS Jerky (Original Beef Stick)
- Beyond Meat Jerky
- Matador Beef Jerky
- Jack Link's Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Flavored Beef Jerky
- Krave Sea Salt Original
Country Archer Zero Sugar Classic Beef Jerky
Nutrition (Per 1 oz serving):
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1.5g (Saturated Fat: 0g)
- Sodium: 260mg
- Carbs: 2g (Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g)
- Protein: 12g
Any jerky labeled “no sugar” is likely to be a dietitian favorite. Wan Nu Chun, MPH, RD, CPT, a registered dietitian at One Pot Wellness, notes that this jerky is "made with 100% grass-fed beef, providing a high protein content to satisfy hunger and support muscle recovery and growth." She also appreciates that "without any added sweetness, this jerky is seasoned with a smoky, perfectly balanced blend of spices."
Lorissa's Kitchen Original Smoke Show
Nutrition (Per 1 oz):
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 5g (Saturated Fat: 1g)
- Sodium: 380mg
- Carbs: 1g (Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g)
- Protein: 13g
Lorissa's Kitchen is a popular dietitian-approved jerky brand. Melissa Azzaro, RDN, LD, and host of Hormonally Yours, shares that she trusts this brand because it contains "minimal ingredients, no preservatives, and no nitrates or nitrites, which can form harmful nitrosamines in the body and increase cancer risk."
"I like Lorissa's Kitchen Original Jerky because, in addition to meeting my criteria, it's low in sugar and made with grass-fed beef," Azzaro explains.
Madeleine Putzi, MS, RDN, also recommends Lorissa's Kitchen, highlighting that "their beef is USDA Organic (a rare find for jerky) and labeled as 100% grass-fed."
Stryve Biltong Original
Nutrition (Per 1 oz serving):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 2g (Saturated Fat: 0g)
- Sodium: 430mg
- Carbs: 0g (Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g)
- Protein: 16g
Biltong is an air-cured meat popular in regions like South Africa. During the curing process, it’s rubbed with salt to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. This method makes biltong free from nitrates or nitrites, even naturally occurring ones.
Think Grass-Fed Beef Jerky
Nutrition (Per 1 oz serving):
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1g (Saturated Fat: 0g)
- Sodium: 260mg
- Carbs: 6g (Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 6g)
- Protein: 12g
Made from 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised beef, Think Jerky meets nearly all our criteria for a healthy jerky: it’s low in calories, fat, and sodium, high in protein, and free from preservatives, hormones, and nitrites. Founder Ricky Hirsch created this brand to offer a delicious, healthy jerky alternative after learning that most options on the market were loaded with sugar and salt. Despite its health credentials, Think Jerky doesn’t skimp on flavor; it’s crafted in partnership with acclaimed chefs—including Food Network hosts, Michelin-Star winners, and James Beard Award winners—who carefully season and slow-smoke each jerky to perfection.
Each serving is a full bag, giving you a substantial snack with enough protein to keep you satisfied between meals. The Classic flavor is a favorite, but they also offer Sweet Chipotle, Sesame Teriyaki, and Sriracha Honey Turkey Jerky (made with free-range turkeys), as well as a variety of jerky sticks.
CHOMPS Jerky (Original Beef Stick)
Nutrition (Per 1 stick serving):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 6g (Saturated Fat: 2.5g)
- Sodium: 290mg
- Carbs: 0g (Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g)
- Protein: 9g
"CHOMPS Jerky is my favorite brand," says Melissa Mitri, MS, RDN, registered dietitian and owner of Melissa Mitri Nutrition. "It’s made from 100% grass-fed beef, contains minimal ingredients, and provides 9-10 grams of protein per serving."
Mitri also appreciates that the beef is humanely raised, a significant factor for her. She adds that "it’s one of the best-tasting jerkies out there"—a key factor when choosing a satisfying snack.
Beyond Meat Jerky
Nutrition (Per ½ cup serving):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 2g (Saturated Fat: 0.5g)
- Sodium: 500mg
- Carbs: 8g (Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g)
- Protein: 10g
While this jerky is slightly above our recommended sodium limit of 450 milligrams per serving and contains 5 grams of sugar, it’s an excellent option for those seeking plant-based protein.
"Made from all plant-based ingredients, this jerky is a tasty and sustainable alternative to traditional meat jerky," says Mackenzie Burgess, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices. She points out that the ingredient list is full of familiar, nourishing items like mung bean protein, pomegranate concentrate, and a hint of brown sugar. "Each pack of Beyond jerky offers 10 grams of protein with under 1 gram of saturated fat," she adds.
Burgess also highlights that recent studies suggest replacing red meat with quality plant protein sources may help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
The Worst Beef Jerky
- Country Archer Zero Sugar Classic Beef Jerky
- Lorissa's Kitchen Original Smoke Show
- Stryve Biltong Original
- Think Grass-Fed Beef Jerky
- CHOMPS Jerky (Original Beef Stick)
- Beyond Meat Jerky
- Matador Beef Jerky
- Jack Link's Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Flavored Beef Jerky
- Krave Sea Salt Original
Matador Beef Jerky
Nutrition (Per 1 oz serving):
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 1g (Saturated Fat: 0g)
- Sodium: 710mg
- Carbs: 7g (Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 6g)
- Protein: 9g
This jerky stands out for its extremely high sodium content—710 milligrams, the highest on this list. Additionally, the ingredients include unspecified “flavors” derived from various sources, which the company cannot clearly identify. This lack of transparency may be concerning for individuals with allergies or sensitivities.
Jack Link's Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Flavored Beef Jerky
Nutrition (Per 1 oz serving):
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 1.5g (Saturated Fat: 0g)
- Sodium: 510mg
- Carbs: 8g (Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 7g)
- Protein: 8g
With sugar listed as the third ingredient and soy sauce appearing twice, this jerky is packed with sodium. It also contains sodium nitrate, an additive linked to various health concerns, including a potential association with certain cancers. At this point, it might just be better to reach for a Dorito.
Krave Sea Salt Original
Nutrition (Per 1 oz serving):
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 1g (Saturated Fat: 0.5g)
- Sodium: 300mg
- Carbs: 9g (Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 9g)
- Protein: 8g
At first glance, this jerky might not seem too bad, but the 9 grams of sugar stands out. Compared to other all-beef jerky options, this one is unusually high in sugar. While plant-based jerkies with similar sugar levels often include naturally occurring sugars along with added nutrients, Krave Sea Salt jerky lists cane sugar as its second ingredient, without any notable features beyond 8 grams of protein per serving.