The Healthiest Beef Jerky Brands According to a Nutritionist in 2025

Beef jerky is a staple of the American diet, but eating the healthiest beef jerky is more than a simple case of finding which one tastes the best. Unfortunately, many jerky brands owe their flavor to unquestionably unhealthy ingredients, including disproportionate amounts of salt, sugar and, in some cases, vague references of “flavors” on the ingredients list.

To those well-versed in sourcing healthy snacks, this can lead to raised eyebrows and, more often than not, the replacement of particular products to their original place on the shelf. But worry not, protein-powered snackers! We’re here to help. Our guide to the healthiest beef jerky not only includes the healthiest jerky brands but also a handful of those that you should avoid.

 Jump to Section

• Is Beef Jerky Healthy?
• How We Choose the Healthiest Beef Jerky
• The 9 Healthiest Beef Jerky Brands
• 4 Beef Jerky Sticks to Skip for Better Health
• What Is the Healthiest Beef Jerky?

Is Beef Jerky Healthy?

This is a good question, and especially valid at a time when more are choosing to fuel themselves with plant-based protein. Unfortunately, there’s no simple “yes” or “no” answer. While the healthiest beef jerky brands can fit into a balanced diet — delivering a punch of protein with minimal fat and sugar (and in some cases none at all) — others are less aligned with today’s nutrition goals.

Beef jerky counts as processed meat, which the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies as carcinogenic to humans. A large meta-analysis links eating 50 grams a day with about an 18% higher risk of colorectal cancer. If jerky is on your menu, look for the healthiest beef jerky and keep portions modest.

Instead of asking whether beef jerky is healthy as a whole, you should ask yourself, “what is the healthiest beef jerky?” Hopefully, you’re already asking that question; this might just be how you arrived at this article. And in order to answer that question, it’s a simple case of reviewing each product’s ingredients and nutritional facts. Unsure where to start? Don’t worry, this guide to the healthiest beef jerky is here to help.

How We Choose the Healthiest Beef Jerky

As we’ve touched upon already, the key to identifying the healthiest jerky lies in each product’s nutritional breakdown. So, this is where we started first, focusing on the healthiest beef jerky candidates. We identified some of the most popular beef jerky producers and put their nutrition labels under a microscope. We then reviewed the ingredients lists, which, in combination with the nutritional facts, gave us a good idea of who is — and isn’t — worthy of a place on our guide to the healthiest jerky brands.

Of course, modern dietary demands require more than just good nutrition. People want to enjoy what they eat, and so they should! For this reason, we combed the internet for reviews of the healthiest beef jerky across platforms like Google and Reddit and read articles written by other like-minded foodies. The result? Not only have we curated a list of the healthiest jerky on the market but also a list of those that are sure to curb your cravings for flavor.

Every pick on this list meets these realistic nutrition standards:

• Sodium: no more than 400 milligrams per 28 grams — with 250 milligrams or less flagged as a low-sodium win
• Added sugar: 0 to 2 grams per 28 grams
• Protein: jerky at least 9 grams per 28 grams — sticks at least 6 grams per 28 grams
• Saturated fat: no more than 3 grams per 28 grams
• Calories: no more than 120 per 28 grams
• Ingredients: short ingredient list with no hydrolyzed proteins or artificial sweeteners and no smoke flavor high on the list

The 9 Healthiest Beef Jerky Brands

1. Chomps Original Beef Snack Stick

One of the healthiest jerky sticks on the market, the Original Beef Snack Stick from Chomps delivers bombs of flavor in each 32-gram serving.

Yes, there are 7 grams of fat, but that’s a small price to pay for zero carbs, zero sugar, just 380 milligrams of sodium and a meager 100 calories. Add in 10 grams of protein and it’s a worthy addition to anyone’s shortlist of healthiest beef jerky products.

Chomps Original Beef Snack Stick Nutritional Info (per 32-gram serving)

• Calories: 100
• Total Fat: 7 grams
• Saturated Fat: 3 grams
• Sodium: 380 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 0 grams
• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 10 grams

2. Archer Original Beef Stick

Archer produces one of the healthiest beef jerky sticks for those hoping to minimize their carb, fat and sugar intake. And it does so with delicious results. 

Garlic, sea salt, red pepper and other natural seasonings reassure cautious buyers that their snack budget will be satisfyingly spent on some of the healthiest beef jerky. What’s more, 8 grams of protein — while not the highest on this list — is nevertheless enough to help stave off those midafternoon raids of the refrigerator.

Archer Original Beef Stick Nutritional Info (per 28-gram serving)

• Calories: 90
• Total Fat: 6 grams
• Saturated Fat: 3 grams
• Sodium: 390 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 1 gram
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 0 grams
• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 8 grams

3. New Primal Classic Beef Stick

Keeping things low on the sodium and carb count — with zero sugar and only 90 calories — New Primal’s Classic Beef Stick is one of the healthiest jerky sticks lining the shelves of any store that chooses to stock it. It contains no artificial ingredients, which, in case you were wondering, is definitely a good thing. And the beef is raised with no antibiotics or hormones.

In other words, not only is this some of the healthiest beef jerky money can buy. It’s also sustainable. Oh, and its inclusion of onion, pepper, ginger and lemon peel also makes it one of the most flavor-packed on this list.

New Primal Classic Beef Stick Nutritional Info (per 28-gram serving)

• Calories: 90
• Total Fat: 6 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams
• Sodium: 380 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 1 gram
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 0 grams
• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 8 grams

4. Anthem Original Beef Stick

Ever watched “Yellowstone” and wondered how the cattle from Montana are used in real life? Well, some of it goes toward the creation of Anthem’s Original Beef Sticks — some of the healthiest beef jerky sticks on the market.

Now, we don’t know precisely whether the cattle hail from the Dutton ranch. But we do know that, whoever raises the cattle, they can be proud of the fact that it contributes to some of the healthiest beef jerky on the market.

Expect just a single gram of carbs, 6 grams of fat and a mere 90 calories. It also has 9 grams of protein and uses simple seasonings like black pepper and salt to bring out the flavor of the beef. What we love, however, is that Anthem donates a percentage of sales to nonprofits supporting veterans and first responders.

Anthem Original Beef Stick Nutritional Info (per 28-gram serving)

• Calories: 90
• Total Fat: 6 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams
• Sodium: 370 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 1 gram
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 0 grams
• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 9 grams

5. Field Trip Original Meat Stick

For many, finding the healthiest beef jerky means choosing the lowest-sodium option, given how much salt is packed into brands that aren’t among the healthiest (more on these later). In Field Trip’s case, its Original Meat Stick contains just 220 milligrams per 28-gram serving, which is significantly low in jerky terms.

Now, it’s important to note that this product does contain some added sugar. However, at just 2 grams, it’s on the low side. What’s more, ingredients include garlic, red pepper, coriander and sea salt, meaning that as well as being some of the healthiest beef jerky, it’s also some of the most delicious.

Field Trip Original Meat Stick Nutritional Info (per 28-gram serving)

• Calories: 90
• Total Fat: 6 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams
• Sodium: 220 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 3 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 2 grams
• Added Sugars: 2 grams
• Protein: 8 grams

6. Think Jerky Original Beef Stick

When you “think” beef jerky, you may not always think “healthy.” This Original Beef Stick makes a better-for-jerky case with 8 grams of protein at 80 calories and 5 grams fat, including 2 grams saturated fat (10% DV). Sodium lands at 330 milligrams per 28-gram serving (14% DV), which is moderate for jerky but not low sodium. 

It earns a spot in this healthiest beef jerky guide for its zero sugar and savory flavor that leans on spices and a hint of smoke.

Think Jerky Original Beef Stick Nutritional Info (per 28-gram serving)

• Calories: 80
• Total Fat: 5 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2 grams
• Sodium: 330 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 1 gram
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 0 grams
• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 8 grams

7. People’s Choice Beef Jerky Crisps

Whether or not this is actually “the people’s choice” is a conversation for another time. What’s for sure is that these crisps from People’s Choice are some of the healthiest beef jerky you can buy. You can expect zero carbs, zero sugar, 6 grams of fat and 220 milligrams of sodium. And get this — that’s per 51-gram serving.

The recipe is kept simple, using beef, water and sea salt. In other words, as one of the healthiest beef jerky products, it’s also one of the truest to good old-fashioned, unadulterated beef jerky.

People’s Choice Beef Jerky Crisps Nutritional Info (per 51-gram serving)

• Calories: 210
• Total Fat: 6 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2 grams
• Sodium: 220 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 0 grams
• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 40 grams

8. Paleovalley Original Beef Sticks

One of the key reasons for these beef sticks’ inclusion in our guide to the healthiest beef jerky is their natural preservation process. These sticks are naturally fermented and the process yields naturally occurring probiotics. They’re also made with organic spices, which are not only good for the planet but pretty good on the palate too.

Other points that make them one of the healthiest beef jerky products include zero carbs, zero sugar and a mere 70 calories per 28-gram serving. And despite the incredible savory flavor, each serving contains just 220 milligrams of sodium — a testament to the power of those organic spices.

Paleovalley Original Beef Sticks Nutritional Info (per 28-gram serving)

• Calories: 70
• Total Fat: 5 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams
• Sodium: 220 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 0 grams
• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 6 grams

9. Kalahari Biltong Original

Self-styled as purveyors of premium air-dried beef, all proudly made in the U.S., it’s hard to argue with Kalahari Biltong Original’s place on this guide to the healthiest beef jerky. Technically it isn’t jerky — these are thin air-dried strips — but we included it because the nutrition skews lighter and it fits the spirit of a healthier swap.

First, it pulls no punches in terms of flavor, imbibing each slice with simple South African-style seasonings like coriander, black pepper and a hint of vinegar. Second, as one of the healthiest beef jerky options, each 28-gram serving of its Original air-dried sliced beef keeps calories in check, keeps fat modest and delivers absolutely zero carbs or sugar.

And yet it delivers a generous dose of protein. If your snack budget needs to work hard to keep you going, Kalahari Biltong is a smart stand-in for a healthier profile — though sodium is moderate.

Kalahari Biltong Original Nutritional Info (per 56-gram serving)

• Calories: 160
• Total Fat: 4 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2 grams
• Sodium: 780 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 0 grams
• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 32 grams

4 Beef Jerky Sticks to Skip for Better Health

1. Slim Jim Savage Spicy

Don’t let the nutrition label on the back of a Slim Jim fool you. Those numbers account for just a third of one stick, and let’s face it: when you’re hungry, that’s simply not going to cut it. In fact, there are a few points that disqualify this product from the list of healthiest beef jerky products.

One is that each stick contains no fewer than 350 calories. You can also expect 26 grams of fat, 11 grams of carbs and an eye-watering 1,240 milligrams of sodium. That’s almost half of your recommended daily sodium intake. In other words, while 18 grams of protein may seem attractive, we would urge caution when adding this to your healthiest beef jerky shortlist.

Slim Jim Savage Spicy Nutritional Info (per 1 stick serving)

• Calories: 350
• Total Fat: 26 grams
• Saturated Fat: 10 grams
• Sodium: 1,240 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 11 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Total Sugars: 2 grams
• Added Sugars: 2 grams
• Protein: 18 grams

2. Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky

We know — how dare we sully the name of one of the biggest household jerky names. We didn’t intend to, but when we delved into the nutritional breakdown and the ingredients list, we felt that there really wasn’t a lot of choice. We certainly couldn’t have included Jack Link’s Original recipe in our list of healthiest beef jerky brands.

Why? Well, we’ll start by admitting that the nutritional breakdown doesn’t look all that bad. Eighty calories, 1.5 grams of fat and 10 grams of protein all seem pretty good. What’s not so great is the 6 grams of sugar in each serving and the sodium content of 520 milligrams.

Add to this a list of processed ingredients like hydrolyzed corn protein and maltodextrin, and it’s hard to argue Jack Link’s case for a place among the healthiest beef jerky producers.

Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky Nutritional Info (per 28-gram serving)

• Calories: 80
• Total Fat: 1.5 grams
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 gram
• Sodium: 520 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 6 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Total Sugars: 6 grams
• Added Sugars: 6 grams
• Protein: 10 grams

3. Old Trapper Jalapeño Deli Style Beef Stick

There are a few reasons why this particular item cannot be considered one of the healthiest beef jerky products. One is the 770 milligrams of sodium included in each serving — almost a third of your recommended daily intake. 

Another is the long list of processed ingredients. Add to this the fact that each bag comes with multiple, extra snackable servings, and it can be difficult sticking to just one.

Old Trapper Jalapeño Deli Style Beef Stick Nutritional Info (per 28-gram serving)

• Calories: 120
• Total Fat: 10 grams
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 grams
• Sodium: 770 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 1 gram
• Fiber: less than 1 gram
• Total Sugars: 0 grams
• Added Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 6 grams

4. Oberto Natural Style Beef Jerky

“All natural,” we hear you say. “Surely that means it’s some of the healthiest beef jerky?” Unfortunately, it does not. And we say that with the greatest of respect to the attempts made by Oberto to overhaul its original recipe in 2011. When it did, it removed a number of undesirable ingredients from its recipe. In fact, the only chemical-based ingredient remaining is smoke flavor, so credit where credit’s due.

Unfortunately, it seems to have attempted to make up for the loss of other ingredients (and, therefore, the loss of flavor) with lots of salt, which keeps it from ranking among the healthiest beef jerky. At 590 milligrams of sodium, you can expect to eat nearly a quarter of your daily recommended intake with every serving, which is not ideal in such a small snack.

Oberto Natural Style Beef Jerky Nutritional Info (per 28-gram serving)

• Calories: 70
• Total Fat: 0.5 gram
• Saturated Fat: 0 gram
• Sodium: 590 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 7 grams
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Total Sugars: 6 grams
• Added Sugars: 6 grams
• Protein: 12 grams

What Is the Healthiest Beef Jerky?

When looking for the healthiest beef jerky, you simply cannot ignore the nutrition labels. As you can see from the products featured in the guide above, some are absolutely loaded with salt, sugar and fat, rendering them decidedly unhealthy. Others, meanwhile, somehow manage to take your palate to flavortown while keeping those undesirables to a bare minimum.

As for which is the healthiest beef jerky, there are a few to consider. People’s Choice Beef Jerky Crisps bring zero sugar and about 220 milligrams of sodium in a larger 51-gram serving that delivers a hefty 40 grams of protein. Kalahari Biltong Original is technically not jerky, but its air-dried strips keep sugar at zero and sodium notably lower than many traditional jerkies while still delivering solid protein. Think Jerky Original Beef Stick makes a better-for-jerky case with zero sugar and moderate sodium, though it’s not a low-sodium pick.

Ultimately, any of those featured in our list of healthiest beef jerky products is capable of forming a part of a balanced diet if you keep an eye on sodium, added sugar and portion size — and remember the processed-meat guidance above. Which you choose will ultimately boil down to your personal health goals and your palate’s flavor preferences.

However, with this guide to hand — including those brands that you should, for your health’s sake, avoid — it’s never been easier to enjoy America’s favorite meaty snack. All that remains is for you to decide which of the healthiest beef jerky you’ll try next.

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.