The 15 Best Beef Jerky Brands

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For decades, beef jerky has been a go-to staple of any road trip. It's a snack that you can get at any gas station or grocery store in America, and it arrives in a plethora of flavors, shapes, and sizes. Who knew that dried-out meat slices could become so universally beloved? From the early days of Oberto before the Roaring '20s to the modern flood of cutely packaged organic meat substitutes, there will always be an option for whatever your jerky-loving heart desires.

The prices and sizes of beef jerky vary, with some bags costing as much as $17 per unit. Thankfully, the popularity hasn't taken a hit. According to the Simmons National Consumer Survey (via Beef Jerky Hub), approximately 160 million Americans eat beef jerky on a regular basis. In short, it's not a food phenomenon so much as it's a bedrock staple in nearly half of the country's palates. 

Beef jerky isn't going anywhere, and there always seems to be a new brand on the scene promising an exciting new flavor. The possibilities of what beef jerky can become are endless and worth celebrating. From the companies still forging legacies behind their names, to healthy alternatives replacing longtime heavyweight meat snacks, here are the 15 best beef jerky brands, ranked from worst to best.

Invented in 1929 by Adolph Levis but not mass-produced until the 1940s (per The New York Times), Slim Jim is much more well-known for their beef stick than their jerky. Levis made the sticks as an alternative to the popularity of pepperoni that was surging in bars across America (per Thrillist). Their competition in the beef stick department is, well, slim, as they only have to worry about Old Wisconsin and Chomps. The reason Slim Jim ranks near the bottom of this list is simply that they're not known for their jerky, and it shows.

The company's jerky is good, but it's never been the star of the show. And unlike many of their contemporaries, they're limited in flavors. According to their website, Slim Jim is only selling bacon jerky at the moment. You can get either Hickory-Smoked or Maple-Flavored, but that's it. They also have Steakhouse, their beef steak strips line, available in Teriyaki and Smokin' Mesquite flavors. In an industry dominated by brands who are expanding their flavor portfolios, Slim Jim is a major letdown. If you're in the mood for something made by Slim Jim, don't waste your time with the bacon jerky. Their beef stick comes in seven flavors, ranging from the beloved original to Nacho-Flavored and Teriyaki-Seasoned.

Not only is Stryve one of the newest brands on this list, it's also got some of the prettiest packaging. With a colorful, eye-catching camo look, it's much more appealing on the shelf than some of its contemporaries. Founded in 2017, Stryve is made using biltong, a meat preservation that began long ago in South Africa. It's a sugar-free, MSG-free, and gluten-free cooking process founded on air-drying the meat.

The jerky doesn't come in any peculiar shapes — the bags are filled with thin, flat strips of meat that look lean but pack a heavy, memorable flavor. The company is definitely the hot shot on campus right now, as they've even sparked up a brand partnership with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. They've got myriad flavors, including Hickory-Seasoned, Spicy Peri Peri, Zesty Garlic, and Teriyaki. While they've got a poppy aesthetic that makes for great action shots on social media influencers' pages, Stryve's products are just as good as the brand's image. In 10 years or so, they might be the biggest beef jerky brand in America, but for now, they've got some catching up to do.

Chef's Cut is the best definition of a middle-of-the-road beef jerky on this list, a true hit-or-miss snack. It's got a great taste, but the quality of the meat itself can sometimes leave a lot to be desired. Where other brands are consistently tender, bags of Chef's Cut are ripe with pieces of jerky that are as tough as leather.

There are six core flavors of jerky: Original, Chipotle Cracked Pepper, Teriyaki, Turkey Teriyaki, Honey Barbecue, and Korean Barbecue. The Korean Barbecue flavor is particularly great, and just one example of jerky tasting exceptional if it comes from a purple-colored bag.

A 12-pack of 1.25oz bags costs $35.95 on the Chef's Cut website, a solid deal for small, individually portioned bags. You can find a normal-sized bag of Chef's Cut in almost any grocery store in America, making it a great, accessible beef snack. The company makes beef snack sticks that are lackluster, but they don't take away from the quality of the jerky. For the price and the popularity, Chef's Cut is worth a taste. It might not be everyone's favorite, but it'll never do you wrong.

Another brand that's a gas station staple, Cattleman's Cut is no slouch. Slightly better than their contemporary, Old Trapper, Cattleman's Cut strikes a good balance between delicious beef jerky and beef sticks. The brand is made by beef jerky conglomerate Oberto, but the Cattleman's Cut name is just as recognizable as the company that makes it.

They have six flavors to offer, including Original, Peppered, Teriyaki, Pepper-Smoked Frontier Style, Classic-Smoked Frontier Style, and Texas Style Flank Steak. You can find a bag of Cattleman's Cut anywhere you buy groceries or fill your car up with gas. The bags are huge, which explains the $17 price tag. You're getting a lot more for your money with Cattleman's Cut, which is an art form lost on many of the flashier brands on the shelves. Their bags hold 10 ounces of jerky, where other competitors sell anywhere from one-and-a-half to five ounces. Cattleman's Cut doesn't pretend to be an all-natural, zero sugar option. It's a classic, well-made jerky that isn't spectacular, but will get you, and your tastebuds, pretty far down the road.

The first product on this list to be specifically labeled as "grass-fed beef," Country Archer is the meat snack of a jerky junky's dreams. It's delectably tender and each flavor packs monumental taste. That they aren't ranked higher is a testament to how good the next five brands taste, not a slight against Country Archer. They make a great jerky that stands on its own amongst a hefty slate of contemporaries.

Country Archer comes in 11 flavors, the most on our list yet by far. Key flavors include Mango Habanero, Hatch Chile, and Spicy Sesame Garlic. The brand offers a zero-sugar option and is certified gluten-free, too, helping it rise to the top as one of the most inclusive jerky brands on the market right now. A 2.5 ounce bag costs $7.99 on the Country Archer website, a price point that's fair and makes the jerky even more desirable. It doesn't have the brand recognition of a company like Jack Link's or Krave, but Country Archer should not be overlooked.

Epic is easily the most unique entry on this list. They don't just make beef jerky, they sell every jerky you can think of, along with pork rings, animal fats, chicken crisps, and variety packs. Meats like bacon, bison, beef, wild boar, chicken, venison, and turkey populate the company's diverse list of options, and no ingredient is lesser than any other. Epic specializes in jerky bars, but you can still get bags of their jerky in bite-sized portions.

Each bites bag costs $6.87 online, while you can get the bars for $2.66 a piece. For a company that's flipping the script on the jerky industry, such low price points are a breath of fresh air. The biggest detractor for Epic, however, is its accessibility. You're likely to find them in the jerky aisle at a Whole Foods, but don't hold your breath for a similar outcome at Walmart.

If you can track down a bar or bag of Epic jerky, it'll be worth the purchase, given how the venison and bison recipes are some of the best on this entire list. The jerky is tender and full of electrifying flavor that'll make Epic a household favorite quickly.

No, not the ice cream brand. Founded in 1975 in Tillamook, a city in Oregon near the Pacific Ocean, Tillamook Country Smoker is crowning excellence in a bag. The only brand on this list that has perfected both the beef jerky and the beef stick, Tillamook would have a great argument for why it should be in first place if it had more unique flavors to offer its audience. You can get your bags in Original, Black Pepper, Teriyaki, Hot & Spicy, Old Fashioned, Sea Salt & Pepper, Honey Glazed, and Spicy & Sweet, many of which have been done before by other jerky brands.

That being said, Tillamook is still an underdog. Not quite as notable or recognized as Jack Link's, the company has been quietly stocking shelves at nearly every major grocery store chain in America. The jerky itself is on the drier side, but if you don't have an issue with texture, Tillamook might become the best meat snack you've ever had. The flavor is powerful and makes each bag, which you can buy for $5.29 a piece, worth every penny. Tillamook is never going to have the starpower of Jack Link's or the history of Oberto, but it doesn't need a flashy resume. The jerky brand reigns supreme by making a classic, delicious product that has stood the test of time for nearly 50 years. After competing against the best of the best for half a century, Tillamook has emerged as one of the best in the business.