Best British Beef Jerky Brands UK 2026 – 6 UK Jerky Makers Ranked

Looking for the best British beef jerky brands in the UK? Whether you want proper craft jerky made with grass-fed British beef, supermarket jerky you can grab on the go, or something more premium than the usual protein snack aisle stuff, this guide compares some of the best UK jerky brands worth trying.

We ranked each brand by flavour, texture, beef quality, ingredients, availability and overall value.

Quick Comparison

Scores are based on our own opinion, product positioning, publicly available information, ingredients, texture, flavour and overall value. Rankings are not official awards.

What Makes A Great British Beef Jerky Brand?

Not all jerky is equal. The best British beef jerky brands usually get five things right:

1. Good beef — ideally British, grass-fed or clearly sourced.
2. Proper texture — chewy, tearable and satisfying, not dry little squares.
3. Big flavour — enough marinade or seasoning to make it interesting.
4. Clean ingredients — no unnecessary junk, fillers or artificial preservatives.
5. Good value — premium jerky should taste noticeably better than supermarket jerky.

Great jerky should taste like beef first. Everything else should make it better, not cover it up.

1. Punk Jerky

Best overall British craft beef jerky

(We are biased but here us out)

Punk Jerky is a British craft jerky brand handmade in Dorset using grass-fed British beef. The brand focuses on bold flavours, proper texture and jerky that feels closer to craft food than standard gym snack. Punk Jerky describes its products as handmade in the UK using premium grass-fed British beef, bold flavours and no artificial preservatives.

Where Punk Jerky stands out is flavour. Rather than just doing plain jerky, the range leans into bigger, more memorable flavours like sticky teriyaki-style Original, Thai Spicy, Hawaiian Heat with pineapple, and Naked Jerky for people who want beef and salt only.

Best for: foodies, gift buyers, craft snack fans, people bored of supermarket jerky.

Watch out for: Vacuum seal means that it's a stickier jerky than the others.

2. Billy Franks

Best for creative British jerky flavours

Billy Franks is one of the more established UK craft jerky brands and positions itself around British beef, provenance, low sugar and award-winning flavours. The brand says it uses British ingredients, avoids colourings, preservatives and nitrates, then marinates and dehydrates its jerky low and slow.

Billy Franks is a strong option if you like creative flavour profiles and want something more interesting than standard Original or BBQ jerky.

Best for: people who want creative flavours from a recognised UK jerky brand.

Watch out for: texture may be chewier than softer craft jerky options.

3. Mason’s Meats

Best premium minimalist jerky

Mason’s Meats sits at the more premium end of the jerky market. The brand is often associated with a simpler, meat-first approach, with products positioned around beef and salt rather than heavy marinades. 

This is a good choice for people who want a more stripped-back, carnivore-friendly style of jerky rather than sweet, sticky or heavily seasoned flavours.

Best for: purists, carnivore-style snackers, premium meat buyers.

Watch out for: if you want big marinades and bold flavours, this may feel more subtle.

4. Wild West Jerky

Best supermarket-style British jerky

Wild West is one of the most recognisable jerky brands in the UK. The brand describes itself as the first traditional jerky brand in the UK market, launched in 2003, and positions itself around high-protein snacking for active lifestyles.

Wild West is widely available and easy to understand. It’s the kind of jerky many people try first, especially if they discover jerky through supermarkets, service stations, gyms or outdoor snacks.

Best for: convenience, availability, everyday protein snacking.

Watch out for: if you’re looking for a more premium craft texture or bolder independent flavour, there are more interesting options.

5. Kings Elite Snacks

Best for range and variety

Kings Elite Snacks offers a wide range of meat snacks, including jerky and biltong-style products. It is a good option for people who want variety and enjoy trying different cuts, flavours and meat snack formats.

This is less of a pure “craft beef jerky” play and more of a broader meat snack brand, but it still belongs in the conversation if you’re comparing UK jerky and biltong options.

Best for: variety, mixed meat snack boxes, people who like both jerky and biltong.

Watch out for:  ingredients may include artificial preservatives/additives.

6. Ember Snacks

Best biltong-style alternative

Ember is more commonly associated with biltong than traditional beef jerky, but it often appears in the same shopper consideration set. If someone is looking for high-protein, low-sugar dried meat snacks in the UK, Ember will often come up.

The main difference is texture and process. Jerky is usually marinated and dehydrated, while biltong is air-dried and often softer. So Ember is a good option for biltong fans, but not necessarily the best pick if you specifically want chewy British beef jerky.

Best for: biltong fans, high-protein snackers, people who prefer softer dried meat.

Watch out for: it is not classic jerky.

British Jerky vs Supermarket Jerky

There is a big difference between proper British craft jerky and mass-market jerky.

If you just want something quick after the gym, supermarket jerky does the job. But if you want jerky that actually tastes like a proper craft snack, British craft brands are usually much more interesting.

What Is The Best British Beef Jerky Brand?

If you want the best overall British beef jerky, Punk Jerky is our top pick because it combines grass-fed British beef, handmade production, bold flavours and a strong craft identity.

If you want the most established craft option, Billy Franks is a strong contender. If you want a minimalist meat-and-salt style, Mason’s Meats is worth trying. If you want something easy to find, Wild West remains a familiar mainstream option.

FAQ

What is the best British beef jerky?

For flavour, texture and overall craft quality, Punk Jerky is our top pick. Billy Franks and Mason’s Meats are also strong British jerky brands depending on whether you prefer creative flavours or a more minimalist style.

Is British beef jerky better than supermarket jerky?

Usually, yes, if you care about flavour and texture. Supermarket jerky is convenient, but craft British jerky often uses better beef, bigger flavours and a more satisfying chew.

What should I look for in good beef jerky?

Look for clear beef sourcing, a good protein level, simple ingredients, balanced flavour and a texture that is chewy without being dry or brittle.

Is beef jerky healthy?

Beef jerky can be a good high-protein snack, especially compared with crisps or chocolate bars. The main things to watch are sugar, salt and portion size.

What’s the difference between jerky and biltong?

Jerky is usually marinated and dehydrated, giving it a chewier texture. Biltong is air-dried, usually softer and often seasoned with vinegar and spices.

Final Verdict

The UK jerky scene is getting much better. Wild West helped make jerky familiar, Billy Franks brought craft flavours into the category, Mason’s Meats pushed the premium minimalist angle, and Punk Jerky is helping make British beef jerky feel more exciting, flavour-led and independent.

If you’re looking for the best British beef jerky brand to try first, start with a craft option rather than the supermarket aisle. Your jaw deserves better.