Best Jerky For Keto: Low-Carb, High-Fat Options

Beef jerky is a great keto-friendly snack, but it's important to choose the right kind. While most store-bought brands are loaded with sugar and preservatives, there are plenty of options that are sugar-free and carb-free, making them perfect for those on a ketogenic diet.

When choosing a keto-friendly beef jerky, look for products that use quality cuts of meat and spices, as these will not need to rely on sugar and other additives to improve the taste. It's also important to check the ingredients list to ensure that the jerky is free from preservatives, added sugars, nitrates, and artificial flavourings, which can be inflammatory.

- People's Choice Beef Jerky: An LA-based company offering authentic, old-fashioned jerky with a steak-like texture. Their keto collection features a variety of options, including jerky pieces, beef sticks, and machaca.

- Keto Carne Beef Jerky: This jerky is made with just three natural ingredients: beef, water, and spices. It has zero carbs and sugar per serving and is available in spicy and original flavours.

- Ayoba-Yo Biltong: A South African protein snack that is air-dried for over 14 days, resulting in a juicier flavour. It's completely sugar-free and made in the USA.

- Mission Meats Beef Sticks: These sticks feature 100% grass-fed beef and are individually wrapped, making them perfect for on-the-go snacking. They contain no gluten, sugar, nitrates, antibiotics, or hormones.

- Chomps Grass Fed Jerky Snack Sticks: Made from 100% grass-fed, non-GMO beef with a variety of metabolism-boosting spices. They are free from added sugar, gluten, soy, dairy, MSG, and artificial ingredients.

- Vermont Smoke & Cure Beef Sticks: These beef sticks have layers of flavour and a medium spicy heat. They are made with lean beef and pork raised without antibiotics or added hormones, and flavoured with chipotle peppers, cumin, and garlic.

- Don Pedro's Cecina Jerky: A Latin-inspired artisanal jerky that is hand-sliced, marinated, and dried over very low heat until crispy. It comes in three flavours: chile, original, and limon, and is definitely keto-friendly.

- Naked Cow All Natural Beef Jerky: Made from grass-fed cows and real spices, this jerky has zero sugar and zero carbohydrates. It comes in three flavours: fire, smoke, and honey.

So, if you're looking for a keto-friendly snack that's high in protein and low in carbohydrates, beef jerky is a great option. Just be sure to choose a brand that aligns with your dietary needs and preferences.

Keto-friendly beef jerky options

Beef jerky is a great keto-friendly snack, but it's important to choose one without added sugar or preservatives. Here are some of the best keto beef jerky options:

People's Choice Beef Jerky

People's Choice Beef Jerky is an LA-based company that offers an authentic, old-fashioned jerky experience. Their jerky is made from 100% premium USA beef, with no gluten, sugar, carbs, preservatives, nitrites, or nitrates. The family-owned business has been around for 90 years, and all batches are handmade. A one-ounce serving contains 90 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, no carbs, and 16 grams of protein, making it a great keto option.

Keto Carne Beef Jerky

Keto Carne offers a beef jerky that contains zero carbs and zero sugar, making it the perfect keto snack. The only ingredients used are beef, water, and seasonings, and it's made in the USA in small batches. This jerky has a good flavor and a great texture that isn't too tough or chewy.

Ayoba-Yo Biltong Beef Jerky

Ayoba-Yo Biltong offers a unique twist on traditional beef jerky. Their jerky is air-dried for 14 days, resulting in a juicier flavor and texture. It's made with 100% grass-fed beef, with no gluten, sugar, or carbs, and is a great option for those who want a spicy kick to their snack.

Mission Meats Beef Sticks

Mission Meats Beef Sticks are made with 100% grass-fed beef and are individually wrapped for convenience. The ingredients include grass-fed beef, water, salt, spices, and natural flavorings, with no antibiotics or hormones. The company also supports charitable organizations, so your purchase can make a difference.

Chomps Grass-Fed Jerky Snack Sticks

Chomps Jerky is made from 100% grass-fed, non-GMO beef and is seasoned with metabolism-boosting spices like jalapenos, habaneros, black pepper, and sea salt. It's a natural, high-quality option with no added sugar, gluten, soy, dairy, or artificial ingredients.

Other Options

In addition to the brands mentioned above, there are several other keto-friendly beef jerky options available, such as:

• Old Trapper Zero Sugar Beef Jerky
• Tillamook Country Smoker Zero Sugar Beef Jerky
• Jack Link's Zero Sugar Beef Jerky
• Brooklyn Biltong Original Grass-Fed Beef Jerky
• Vacadillos Habanero Carne Seca Jerky
• RC Ranch Texas Craft Meats Wagyu Beef Jerky

Beef jerky nutritional value

Beef jerky is a convenient and popular snack food. It is made from lean cuts of beef that are marinated with various sauces, spices, and other additives, and then processed through curing, smoking, and drying.

Beef jerky is generally considered a healthy and nutritious snack option. It is a good source of protein and is high in many vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and folate. It also contains small amounts of manganese, molybdenum, and pantothenic acid.

A single piece of beef jerky contains about 82 calories and just over two grams of carbohydrates, making it a low-carb food. A cup of beef jerky pieces has 369 calories, 30 grams of protein, 23 grams of fat, and about 10 grams of carbohydrates.

Beef jerky is also a good option for those on low-carb diets, such as the keto diet, and can be easily purchased or made at home. However, it should be consumed in moderation as it tends to be very high in sodium, with a 1-ounce serving providing about 22% of the daily recommended sodium allowance.

• People's Choice Beef Jerky
• Tillamook Country Smoker Zero Sugar Beef Jerky
• Old Trapper Zero Sugar Beef Jerky
• Brooklyn Biltong Original Grass-Fed
• RC Ranch Texas Craft Meats Premium Wagyu Beef Jerky
• Fusion Zero Sugar Hickory Beef Jerky

Beef jerky vs. processed meat

Beef jerky is a convenient and popular snack food. It is made from lean cuts of beef that are marinated with various sauces, spices, and other additives, then cured, smoked, and dried.

Beef jerky is a good source of protein and is high in many vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and folate. It is also suitable for diets such as keto, low-carb, and paleo diets.

However, beef jerky is considered a processed meat, which can have some health drawbacks. It is typically high in sodium, with a 1-ounce serving providing roughly 20-22% of the daily recommended sodium intake. Excessive sodium intake has been linked to water retention, weight gain, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, kidney stones, and an enlarged heart.

Additionally, diets high in processed and cured red meats like beef jerky have been associated with a higher risk of cancers, such as gastrointestinal cancers, as well as other chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

Therefore, it is important to look for beef jerky that does not include inflammatory ingredients such as preservatives, added sugars, nitrates, and artificial flavorings. Opt for high-quality, organic, grass-fed beef jerky without preservatives, sugars, and other inflammatory ingredients.

• People's Choice Beef Jerky: This brand offers thick, steak-like pieces with a good flavor due to the addition of spices. It is sugar and carb-free, gluten-free, and contains no nitrates, nitrites, MSG, artificial ingredients, or preservatives.
• Keto Carne: This product contains only beef, water, and seasonings, with no added preservatives or sugars. It comes in two flavors: original and spicy.
• Ayoba-Yo Biltong: This product offers a twist on the classic beef jerky, with a juicier flavor as it is air-dried for 14 days instead of using low heat. It is sugar-free and made in the USA.
• Mission Meats Beef Sticks: These sticks feature 100% grass-fed beef with no antibiotics or hormones. They are individually wrapped and contain no gluten, sugar, nitrates, nitrites, antibiotics, hormones, or MSG.
• Sogo Snacks Beef Sticks: These sticks are also made from 100% grass-fed beef with no antibiotics or hormones. They come in three flavors: barbeque and pineapple, buffalo wing, or chimichurri.
• Country Archer Original Beef Sticks: These beef sticks are made with 100% grass-fed beef and contain no carbs, nitrates, or nitrites. They have a great, bold taste due to the addition of several spices.

In conclusion, while beef jerky can be a nutritious and convenient snack, it is important to consume it in moderation and opt for high-quality, minimally processed options to avoid potential health risks associated with processed meats.

What to look for when choosing beef jerky

When choosing beef jerky, it is important to select a cut of meat with minimal fat content. This is because fat cannot be fully dehydrated and can cause the jerky to spoil quickly. Therefore, lean cuts such as sirloin, top round, bottom round, eye of round, and flank steak are ideal for making beef jerky.

In addition to choosing lean cuts, it is also important to consider the quality of the meat. Organic, grass-fed, and antibiotic and hormone-free beef are preferable as they provide a cleaner source of meat with more good fats and fewer additives.

When purchasing beef jerky, it is best to avoid highly processed brands that contain preservatives, MSG, soy sauce, honey, or added sugar. Instead, opt for brands that use 100% beef and simple spices such as sea salt and pepper.

Best beef jerky brands for a keto diet

Beef jerky is a great keto-friendly snack, but it's important to choose a brand that doesn't load up on sugar and preservatives. Here are some of the best beef jerky brands that are perfect for a keto diet:

People's Choice Beef Jerky

People's Choice Beef Jerky is an LA-based company that offers an authentic, old-fashioned jerky experience. Their jerky is made from whole, thick pieces with a steak-like texture, allowing you to savour the natural flavours of the meat. Their "keto collection" features a variety of options, including old-fashioned jerky pieces, beef sticks, and machaca. All of their keto options are sugar-free, carb-free, and high in protein. They also offer spicy options for those who like a kick of heat.

Keto Carne Beef Jerky

Keto Carne lives and breathes the keto lifestyle, so it's no surprise that their beef jerky is an excellent choice. Made with just three natural ingredients—beef, water, and spices—their jerky is packed with flavour without being too salty or dry. It has zero carbs and zero sugar per serving, making it a perfect keto snack. They also offer beef sticks for those who prefer that style of jerky.

Ayoba-Yo Biltong Beef Jerky

If you're looking for something a little different, Ayoba-Yo Biltong offers a South African twist on the classic beef jerky. Their jerky is air-dried for 14 days, resulting in a juicier flavour and texture compared to traditionally dried jerky. It's completely sugar-free, made in the USA, and comes in a convenient bag for easy snacking on the go.

Mission Meats Beef Sticks

Mission Meats Beef Sticks are clean and simple, featuring grass-fed beef in individually wrapped packages. Their ingredients include grass-fed beef, water, salt, spices, and natural flavour enhancers like celery juice. Their beef contains no antibiotics or hormones, and the company supports charitable organisations with 10% of its profits.

Sogo Snacks Beef Sticks

Sogo Snacks Beef Sticks are another excellent choice for keto dieters. Their beef is 100% grass-fed, and their cows are pasture-raised and free-range, ensuring ethical and sustainable practices. Their beef sticks come in individually packaged sticks in a variety of flavours, including barbeque and pineapple, buffalo wing, and chimichurri.

Country Archer Original Beef Sticks

Country Archer Original Beef Sticks are made with 100% grass-fed beef and contain no carbs. They have a great, smoky flavour and a bold taste thanks to the addition of spices like garlic, peppers, and coriander. Each stick provides 50 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of carbs, and 5 grams of protein, making them a satisfying and nutritious snack.

Honourable Mentions:

Other notable brands that offer keto-friendly beef jerky and sticks include Chomps, Roam Sticks, Vermont Smoke & Cure, Naked Cow, Don Pedro's Cecina Jerky, and Nick's Sticks Beef Snack Sticks.

When choosing a beef jerky for a keto diet, look for options that are low in carbs and sugar, and ideally made with natural, high-quality ingredients.

Frequently asked questions