Beef Jerky For Keto: Best Brands And Flavors

Beef jerky is a tasty and filling snack, but it can be challenging to find commercial brands that aren't loaded with sugar. Traditional beef jerky is sweetened with sugar, typically brown sugar, and often includes other undesirable additives like MSG, nitrates, and artificial preservatives. However, there are some keto-friendly options available, and you can even make your own at home!

There are several brands of keto beef jerky on the market, including Tillamook Country Smoker, Old Trapper, Jack Link's, and People's Choice. These products are typically zero-sugar, low-carb, and high in protein, making them ideal for those following a keto diet.

If you prefer to make your own keto beef jerky, there are plenty of recipes available online. Homemade keto beef jerky is a healthy and delicious snack that can be made ahead of time and enjoyed on the go. The key is to use a keto-friendly sweetener, such as Besti keto brown sugar or monk fruit allulose blend, to replace the traditional brown sugar used in standard beef jerky recipes.

So, whether you buy it or make it yourself, keto beef jerky is a great option for those looking for a tasty, high-protein snack that fits within their dietary restrictions.

Keto beef jerky ingredients

Keto beef jerky is a great snack option for those on a keto diet or looking to reduce their sugar intake. While traditional beef jerky is often sweetened with sugar, keto-friendly alternatives use alternative ingredients to achieve the same sweet and savoury flavour. Here are the ingredients you'll need to make your own keto beef jerky at home:

Steak

The best cuts of beef for jerky are lean, economical, and full of flavour. Good options include flank steak, top round, bottom round, pectoral, or skirt steak. Using partially frozen meat will make it easier to slice the beef thinly, which is important for making jerky.

Coconut Aminos

Coconut aminos provide a salty, savoury flavour to the jerky. It is a common alternative to soy sauce, which can also be used if you don't mind soy. Coconut aminos have a lower carb count than soy sauce, making it a better option for keto diets.

Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce adds flavour to the jerky. It contains a small amount of sugar, but the amount used in the recipe is negligible in the overall context. You can omit this ingredient if you prefer.

Spices

A variety of spices can be used to season your keto beef jerky, including garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Feel free to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite blend.

Sweetener

To replace the sugar typically used in traditional beef jerky, you can use a keto-friendly sweetener such as Besti Brown Monk Fruit Allulose Blend. This sweetener provides a sweet flavour without the carbs or aftertaste that some other sweeteners may have. It also helps keep the jerky moist.

Optional Ingredients

You can also add liquid smoke to give your keto beef jerky a smoky flavour. Additionally, you can include other spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper to enhance the flavour profile.

Keto beef jerky recipe

Ingredients

• 1-2 pounds of beef (flank steak, top round, bottom round, eye of round, sirloin, or skirt steak)
• 1/4-1/2 cup coconut aminos (or soy sauce/liquid aminos)
• 1/2-1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• 1-2 tsp garlic powder
• 1-2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1-2 tbsp sweetener (brown sugar, monk fruit, erythritol, Swerve, etc.)
• 1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt to taste

Optional Ingredients

• Liquid smoke
• Meat pounder
• Meat slicer
• Smoker or dehydrator

Method

• Slice the beef into thin strips, cutting against the grain.
• (Optional) Slice each strip lengthwise into thinner strips. This is easier to do if the meat is partially frozen, so freeze for 30 minutes beforehand.
• (Optional) Pound the meat strips with a meat pounder to make them thinner and more even in thickness.
• Mix all the ingredients, except the salt, in a large bowl or ziplock bag.
• Add the beef strips to the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for more intense flavour.
• Preheat the oven to 170-175°F (79-80°C). Line a large baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe cooling rack on top.
• Remove the beef strips from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Arrange the beef strips in a single layer on the wire rack.
• (Optional) Sprinkle salt over the beef strips.
• Bake for 3-4 hours, until dry and firm but still pliable, flipping halfway through.
• Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Tips

• Use a lean cut of meat to avoid chunks of fat in your jerky.
• Marinate the beef for as long as possible to intensify the flavour.
• If you prefer a smoky flavour, you can use a smoker or dehydrator instead of an oven.

Keto beef jerky brands

Beef jerky is a tasty and filling snack, but it can be challenging to find commercial brands that are not loaded with sugar. Traditional beef jerky is sweetened with sugar, typically brown sugar, and often includes other undesirable additives like MSG, nitrates, and artificial preservatives. However, there are some keto-friendly brands available that use alternative sweeteners or no added sugars at all. Here are some options for keto beef jerky brands:

• Tillamook Country Smoker: They offer a range of keto-friendly options, including zero-sugar beef jerky in various flavors like Hot & Spicy, Teriyaki, and Original. Their products are available in different pack sizes, and they also have smoked sausages.
• Old Trapper: Their zero-sugar beef jerky is made from 100% top round steaks and is smoked in the traditional style. It's a healthy snack option with no added sugar.
• People's Choice: This brand offers a classic Old Fashioned Original Beef Jerky flavor with 0g of sugar, 0 carbs, 16g of protein, and is gluten-free and MSG-free. They also have other flavors like Hot & Spicy and Hatch Green Chile.
• Mojave Jerky Co.: Their Hatch Green Chile flavor is a sugar-free delight, infusing premium beef with the bold and smoky flavor of Hatch green chilies. They also have a Signature Southwestern Beef Jerky flavor with 0g of sugar, gluten-free, and all-natural ingredients.
• Gentlemen's Best: Their Rosemary Steakhouse Beef Jerky is handcrafted in small batches and contains no preservatives. It offers a delicious blend of rosemary, hickory, and buttery notes.
• Cattaneo Bros.: The family-owned brand's Chipotle Beef Jerky is crafted from high-quality, grass-fed beef and marinated for hours with 0g of sugar.
• Peak Pastrami Jerky: This brand lets you savor the taste of pastrami without any preservatives, offering a sugar-free delight.
• Brooklyn Biltong: Their Original Grass-Fed Biltong is thinly sliced, air-dried beef with no sugar, corn syrup, or gluten. It's a keto-friendly option seasoned with black pepper and sea salt.
• Vacadillos: Get your fill of spice with their Habanero Carne Seca Jerky. It's a sugar-free option with thinly sliced strips of carne seca and only 3 grams of fat.
• RC Ranch: Indulge in the tenderness of their Texas Craft Meats Premium Wagyu Beef Jerky, handmade and slow-smoked in Texas.
• Righteous Felon: Ancho Villa Beef Biltong is packed with a variety of peppers and offers a spicy kick along with 32g of protein.
• Side Project: Their Pho Beef Jerky transports you to the flavors of Vietnamese noodle soup, all while keeping it sugar-free.
• Fusion: Zero Sugar Hickory Beef Jerky is the most tender option on this list, offering a classic hickory-smoked flavor with 15g of protein per serving.
• Matt-Hat Jerky: This brand offers a variety of zero-sugar beef jerky options, including Original, Spicy Original, Roasted Garlic, and Black Truffle, among others. They use high-quality steak (AAA Prime Flank Steak) with no sugar or carbs.

These brands provide keto-friendly beef jerky options, ensuring you can enjoy a delicious and healthy snack without compromising your diet. Remember to check the ingredient lists and nutritional information to make an informed choice that aligns with your specific keto guidelines.

Keto beef jerky reviews

Beef jerky is a tasty and filling snack, but it can be challenging to find commercial brands that aren't loaded with sugar. Luckily, there are some great keto-friendly options available, both for store-bought and homemade beef jerky. Here are some reviews to help you choose the best keto beef jerky for your needs:

Store-Bought Keto Beef Jerky Options:

• Tillamook Country Smoker Keto Friendly Zero Sugar Beef Jerky: This jerky comes in various flavors, including Original, Hot & Spicy, and Teriyaki. It's a popular choice, with thousands of units sold monthly on Amazon.
• Old Trapper Zero Sugar Beef Jerky: Made from 100% Top Round Steaks, this jerky is smoked in the traditional style and makes a healthy snack. It has also received positive reviews on Amazon.
• People's Choice Beef Jerky: This brand offers a range of keto-friendly options, including Old Fashioned Original, Hot & Spicy, and Limon Con Chile flavors. Their jerky is sugar-free, carb-free, gluten-free, and MSG-free, making it a popular choice for those on a keto diet.
• Righteous Felon Beef Jerky: This brand offers a variety of keto-friendly beef jerky options, including the Ancho Villa Beef Biltong, which is packed with ancho, chipotle, cayenne, and habanero peppers, providing a spicy kick. Their products are also paleo, gluten-free, and high in protein.
• Mojave Jerky Co. Hatch Green Chile Beef Jerky: If you're looking for a smoky and spicy option, this jerky is infused with the bold flavor of Hatch green chilies. It's crafted with premium beef and contains zero sugar, making it a delicious keto-friendly choice.
• Brooklyn Biltong Original Grass-Fed: For a sugar-free, corn syrup-free option, this biltong (air-dried beef) is a great choice. It's thinly sliced and seasoned with black pepper and sea salt, making it a simple yet tasty keto-friendly snack.

Homemade Keto Beef Jerky Recipes:

If you're feeling adventurous and want to make your own keto beef jerky, there are some fantastic recipes available online:

• Wholesome Yum's Keto Beef Jerky: This recipe uses flank steak and a blend of sweet and savory seasonings, including coconut aminos, Worcestershire sauce, and Besti Brown Monk Fruit Allulose Blend. It's a straightforward recipe with just 5 minutes of prep time and mostly hands-off cooking. The result is a delicious, sweet and savory jerky that's perfect for on-the-go snacks.
• Healthy Recipes Blog's Sugar-Free Keto Beef Jerky: This recipe uses flank steak, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder. The key to success is slicing the meat thinly against the grain and using partially frozen meat for easier handling. The final product is chewy and flavorful, just like traditional beef jerky, but it does require refrigeration.

Whether you choose to purchase keto beef jerky or make your own, these options will satisfy your cravings for a tasty, keto-friendly snack.

Keto beef jerky nutrition

Beef jerky is a great snack option for those on a keto diet. It is high in protein and low in carbs, making it a perfect snack to keep within reach and curb those cravings.

However, not all beef jerky is created equal. While traditional beef jerky is sweetened with sugar, usually brown sugar, there are some brands that offer keto-friendly options. These options tend to use sugar substitutes such as Besti keto brown sugar, monk fruit, or erythritol to provide that sweet flavor without the carbs.

When choosing a keto-friendly beef jerky, it is important to read the ingredient lists and nutrition facts carefully. Some brands may claim to be keto-friendly, but it is always good to do your own research to ensure that your snack aligns with your diet goals. Look out for hidden sugars and carbohydrates, as these can slow down your progress.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own keto beef jerky at home! All you need is a good cut of beef, like flank steak, and some simple ingredients for the marinade. The homemade option allows you to control the ingredients and create a delicious, healthy snack that is free from artificial preservatives.

So, whether you buy it or make it yourself, keto beef jerky is a tasty and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed as part of a keto diet.

Frequently asked questions