Beef jerky is a dried meat snack made by marinating strips of beef and slowly drying them to remove moisture while concentrating flavour and protein.

Originally created as a way to preserve meat before refrigeration existed, beef jerky has evolved into one of the most popular high-protein snacks in the world.

Today, you’ll find everything from supermarket jerky to premium craft jerky made from grass-fed British beef with bold marinades and cleaner ingredients.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• what beef jerky is
• how it’s made
• why it’s high in protein
• jerky vs biltong differences
• whether beef jerky is healthy
• and the best beef jerky brands in the UK

If you’re looking for flavour rankings and the top UK jerky brands overall, check out our guide to the best beef jerky UK brands.

What Is Beef Jerky Made From?

Traditional beef jerky is made using:

• lean cuts of beef
• marinades or spices
• salt
• slow drying or dehydration

The process removes water from the meat, which:

• preserves it
• intensifies flavour
• increases protein density

Most modern jerky brands use cuts like:

• topside
• silverside
• eye of round

because they’re naturally lean.

How Is Beef Jerky Made?

The basic jerky-making process looks like this:

1. Beef Is Sliced Into Strips

Lean beef is trimmed and sliced into thin strips.

2. The Meat Is Marinated

Jerky is usually marinated using ingredients like:

• soy sauce
• spices
• salt
• sugar
• garlic
• chilli

Different marinades create different flavour styles.

3. The Beef Is Slowly Dried

The meat is dried at low temperatures for several hours until most moisture is removed.

This gives jerky its:

• chewy texture
• concentrated flavour
• long shelf life

Why Is Beef Jerky So High In Protein?

When beef loses water during drying, protein becomes highly concentrated.

That’s why many jerkies contain:

• 40–55g protein per 100g

which is significantly higher than fresh meat on a weight-for-weight basis.

This makes jerky popular with:

• gym-goers
• hikers
• runners
• low-carb diets
• carnivore diets

If you want a full nutritional breakdown, read our guide to beef jerky protein per 100g.

What Does Beef Jerky Taste Like?

Beef jerky is:

• savoury
• salty
• chewy
• rich in umami flavour

Some jerkies are:

• smoky
• spicy
• sweet
• peppery
• heavily marinated

Texture also varies massively between brands.

Traditional American-style jerky is usually firmer and chewier, while modern craft jerky can be softer and more tender.

Is Beef Jerky Healthy?

High-quality beef jerky can be a healthy snack because it’s:

• high in protein
• low in carbs
• portable
• filling

However, ingredient quality matters.

Some supermarket jerkies contain:

• lots of sugar
• preservatives
• artificial additives

while premium craft brands often use:

• cleaner ingredients
• grass-fed beef
• less processed recipes

If you want healthier options, check out our guide to the healthiest beef jerky UK brands.

Beef Jerky vs Biltong

While both are dried meat snacks, there are important differences.

Biltong is generally softer and less sweet, while jerky often has stronger marinades and a firmer bite.

Best Beef Jerky Brands UK

Some of the most popular UK jerky brands include:

• Punk Jerky
• Billy Franks
• Ember Snacks
• Mason’s Meats
• Wild West Jerky
• Kings Elite Snacks

Craft jerky brands are increasingly focusing on:

• grass-fed beef
• cleaner ingredients
• bold flavours
• small-batch production

rather than just protein marketing.

Why Is Jerky So Expensive?

Many people wonder why jerky costs more than other snacks.

The main reason is moisture loss.

Around:

• 2–3kg of raw beef

may only produce:

• 1kg of finished jerky

after drying.

Combined with:

• premium beef costs
• long drying times
• labour
• packaging

jerky becomes relatively expensive to produce.

FAQ

Q: Is beef jerky cooked or raw?

A: Beef jerky is not raw. It’s cured and dried at safe temperatures during production.

Q: Why is beef jerky chewy?

A: The drying process removes moisture, creating the chewy texture jerky is known for.

Q: Is beef jerky healthy?

A: High-quality jerky can be a healthy high-protein snack, especially lower sugar varieties with simple ingredients.

Q: Is jerky keto friendly?

A: Many jerkies are suitable for keto diets, though some flavoured varieties contain added sugars.

Q: What’s the best beef jerky in the UK?

A: Craft jerky brands like Punk Jerky and Mason’s Meats are increasingly popular for flavour, ingredients, and texture.