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Dried Meats Roundup

We analyzed 96 products to help you choose the healthiest & safest options.

Finding the perfect Dried Meats shouldn't feel like a guessing game. At CakeID, we take food transparency seriously. We have analyzed over 96 products in this category, breaking down every ingredient list to uncover hidden additives, excessive sugar levels, and potential allergens.

Whether you are searching for strictly Vegan options, Gluten-Free snacks, or simply want to avoid high-processed foods, our algorithm ranks products based on a comprehensive Health Score. Below is our definitive ranking of the safest and healthiest Dried Meats you can buy in 2026, sorted by their ingredient purity.

Editor's Quick Picks

Detailed Reviews

Calories
286
Protein
43g
Jack Link's

Jack link's, meat snacks, beef jerky, steakhouse recipe

Ingredients: Beef, water, sugar, brown sugar, less than 2% salt, flavorings, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (corn, soy, wheat, dextrose), beef flavor (beef stock, maltodextrin), mushroom flavor (gum arabic, natural smoke flavor, modified food starch), yeast extract, thiamine, citric acid.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
36g
JACK LINK'S

BEEF JERKY JALAPEΓ‘O

Ingredients: Beef, water, sugar, contains 2% or less of salt, beef stock, natural and artificial flavors, yeast extract, citric acid, jalapeno pepper, pineapple powder.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
46g
Jack Link, Jack Link's

Premium Cuts Beef Jerky, Original

Ingredients: Beef, water, sugar, less than 2% salt, corn syrup solids, dried soy sauce (soybeans, salt, wheat), hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, monosodium glutamate, maltodextrin, flavorings, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Contains Corn Syrup
View Full Analysis
Calories
321
Protein
46g
Buc-ee's

Teriyaki Beef Jerky

Ingredients: BEEF, WATER, BROWN SUGAR, SALT, TERIYAKI POWDER (TERIYAKI SAUCE (TAMARI SOY SAUCE (SOYBEANS, SALT, ALCOHOL, WHEAT), SAKE (RICE, SALT), APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, NATURAL FLAVORINGS), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, MALTODEXTRIN, SUCROSE, FRUCTOSE), NATURAL FLAVORINGS, MONOSOM GLUTAMATE, SOY SAUCE POWDER (WHEAT, SOYANS, SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, SODIUM NITRITE

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
304
Protein
54g
Kalahari Biltong

Chili Lime Biltong

Ingredients: Beef, Salt, Vinegar, Spices, Garlic, Onion, Citric Acid, Orange, Lime Juice, Natural Flavors, Spice Extractives (Including Paprika), Sugar, Celery Salt, Cayenne Pepper.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
321
Protein
29g
HTY

Sweet and spicy beef jerky

Ingredients: BEEF, SUGAR, STRAWBERRY JAM (SUGAR, STRAWBERRY PUREE, CORN SYRUP, PECTIN, CITRIC ACID), WATER, GLUTEN - FREE SOY SAUCE (WATER, SOYBEANS, SALT. SUGAR), SPICES, VEGETABLE OIL, CELERY POWDER (CULTURED CELERY POWDER, SEA SALT), SALT. CONTAINS: SOY.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Contains Corn Syrup
  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
250
Protein
21g
paleovalley

Jalapeno Beef Stick

Ingredients: 100% grass fed beef, water, sea salt, organic dextrose from tapioca, celery juice powder, organic jalapeΓ±o, organic black pepper, organic cayenne pepper, organic garlic, organic coriander, lactic acid starter culture, dye-free beef collagen casing

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
247
Protein
39g
Old Trapper Smoked Products Inc.

Beef jerky

Ingredients: Beef, brown sugar, water, salt, flavorings, hydrolyzed corn protein, vinegar, sodium nitrite.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
36g
Tillamook Country Smoker Inc

Beef Jerky

Ingredients: Beef, brown sugar, water, sea salt, contains less than 2% of the following: black pepper, corn syrup solids, dextrose, garlic powder, sugar, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Contains Corn Syrup
  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
39g
Kroger

Kroger, smokehouse jerky, beef, sweet & spicy

Ingredients: Beef, water, sugar, corn syrup, contains 2% or less of: salt, disodium inosinate and guanylate, flavorings, hydrolyzed soy protein, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Contains Corn Syrup
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
21g
Golden Island

Golden Island korean barbecue snack bites

Ingredients: pork, sugar, water, gluten-free soy sauce (water, soybeans, salt), brown sugar, contains 2% or less of sesame seeds, garlic powder, salt, vinegar, spices, sesame oil, onion powder. contains: soy, sesame

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
321
Protein
32g
Trader Joe's

Beef Jerky

Ingredients: Beef, Sugar, Water, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt, Flavorings, Paprika, Natural Smoke Flavoring

The Good

  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
214
Protein
25g
New Primal

Snack Mates Chicken & Apple Mini Sticks

Ingredients: All-natural chicken raised without added hormones or antibiotics, dried apples, honey, sea salt, maple syrup, encapsulated citric acid, cultured celery powder (celery powder, sea salt), black pepper, cherry powder, allspice, ginger, coriander, nutmeg, beef collagen casing.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
313
Protein
31g
CHOMPS

Original Beef Sticks

Ingredients: GRASS FED & FINISHED BEEF, WATER, LESS THAN 2% OF: ENCAPSULATED LACTIC ACID, SEA SALT, CULTURED CELERY POWDER (CELERY POWDER, SEA SALT), CHERRY POWDER, BLACK PEPPER, RED PEPPER, GARLIC POWDER, CORIANDER, STUFFED IN A BEEF COLLAGEN CASING MADE IN THE U.S.A.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
123
Protein
18g
Righteous Felon

Spicy BBQ Beef Jerky

Ingredients: Beef, Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Brown Sugar, Natural Smoke Flavor, Molasses, Vinegar, Paprika, Garlic, Chipotle Pepper, Spices, Onion, Chili Powder, Sea Salt, Habanero Pepper, Cloves. Contains Soy.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
32g
Jack Link's, Jack link s

Jack link's, beef jerky, sweet & hot

Ingredients: Beef, sugar, water, less than 2% salt, flavorings, yeast extract, citric acid.

The Good

  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
282
Protein
35g
Righteous Felon

Teriyaki Balboa

Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Teriyaki Sauce (Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol), Water, Organic Sugar, Organic Honey, Sake (Water, Rice, Salt), Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic Puree (Garlic, Water), Rice Vinegar, Ginger Puree (Ginger, Water, Salt), Plum Juice Concentrate, Inactive Yeast, Canola Oil, Arrowroot, Xanthan Gum, Spices), Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol), Garlic, Ground Ginger, Vinegar, Molasses, Paprika, Onion, Natural Smoke Flavor, Spices, Chili Powder, Sea Salt, Cloves

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
314
Protein
20g
Noble Jerky

Vegan Jerky - Original

Ingredients: Plant base soy protein, Vegan sugar, Spices, Garlic, Sea salt, Expeller pressed canola oil, Rice vinegar

The Good

  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
268
Protein
32g
Righteous Felon

Lemon pepper turkey stick

Ingredients: Turkey, water, sea salt, brown sugar, encapsulated citric acid, black pepper, celery powder, tomato powder, liquid smoke, cherry powder, granulated lemon, oregano, granulated garlic, onion powder, ground rosemary, basil, coriander, ground thyme, ground clove, beef collagen casing

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
250
Protein
39g
Old Trapper

Hot & Spicy Beef Jerky

Ingredients: BEEF, BROWN SUGAR, WATER, SALT, FLAVORINGS, BEEF STOCK, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, VINEGAR, SODIUM NITRITE

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
39g
Jack Link's

Jack links meat snacks beef jerky original

Ingredients: Beef, water, sugar, salt, less than 2% soy sauce [(wheat, soybeans, salt), maltodextrin], flavorings, hydrolyzed corn protein, yeast extract, citric acid.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
250
Protein
43g
Great Value

Original Beef Jerky

Ingredients: BEEF, WATER, SUGAR, SEA SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SOY SAUCE (WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT), HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, YEAST EXTRACT, FLAVORS, MALTODEXTRIN, CULTURED CELERY EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
70
Sugar
4g
Country Archer

Grass-Fed Beef Jerky

Ingredients: Grass-Fed Beef, Organic Brown Sugar (Organic Sugar, Organic Molasses). Mango Puree, Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, May Also Contain Alcohol and Sugar), Organic Seasoned Rice Vinegar Dressing (Organic Rice Vinegar, Organic Sugar, Water, Salt), Garlic Powder, Red Chili Pepper, Habanero Chili Pepper. Contains: Soy.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
250
Protein
43g
Prevail

Spicy Beef Jerky

Ingredients: 100% Grass Fed and Grass Finished Beef, Water, Organic Coconut Sugar, Smoked Morita Peppers, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt, Organic Garlic, Organic Matcha Tea, Organic Ginger, Organic Cardamom, Contains Coconut.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
321
Protein
36g
Glenwood

Teriyaki beef jerky

Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce [Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt], Wine, Sugar, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Onion Powder Spice Extractives, Succinic Acid, Garlic Powder), Water, Less Than 2% of: Honey, Vinegar, Salt, Natural Flavors, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Sodium Nitrite.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
32g
Tillamook

Country smoker all natural

Ingredients: BEEF, BROWN SUGAR, BEEF BROTH, SALT, FLAVORINGS, CULTURED CELERY POWDER (CELERY POWDER, SEA SALT), APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, VINEGAR, GRANULATED GARLIC.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
39g
Simply Nature

Original Beef Jerky

Ingredients: ORGANIC BEEF, WATER, ORGANIC SUGAR, SEA SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF ORGANIC SOY SAUCE (WATER, ORGANIC SOYBEANS, ORGANIC WHEAT, SALT), NATURAL FLAVORS, YEAST EXTRACT, ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
250
Protein
39g
Archer Provisions

Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Spicy Sesame Garlic

Ingredients: Grass-Fed Beef, Mushrooms (Mushrooms, Water, Salt), Sesame Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger Juice, Lemon Juice, Onion Powder, White Sesame Seeds, Salt, Organic Chickpea Miso (Organic Rice Koji [Organic Rice, Koji Spores {Aspergillus Oryzae}], Organic Chickpeas, Sea Salt, Water), Garlic Powder, Liquid Smoke (Water, Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor), Cayenne Pepper.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
261
Protein
30g
Jack Link's

Tender Style Beef Steak

Ingredients: beef, sugar, water, brown sugar salt, contains 2% or less of smoke flavor maltodextrin, monosodium glutamate, flavoris, citric acid, sodium erythorbate, scoium nitrite cks total sugars d as 017082 10000

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
321
Protein
46g
TILLAMOOK COUNTRY SMOKER

TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY

Ingredients: BEEF, BEEF BROTH, GLUTEN FREE SOY SAUCE (WATER, SOYBEANS, RICE, SALT), GINGER PASTE (GINGER CITRIC ACID), FLAVORINGS, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, SALT, PINEAPPLE POWDER* CULTURED CELERY POWDER (CELERY POWDER, SEA SALT), GRANULATED GARLIC. *Adds a dietarily insignificant amount of sugar

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

Are products in the Dried Meats category always vegan?+
Not necessarily. We analyzed over 96 products in the Dried Meats category on CakeID. While some are plant-based, many contain hidden animal ingredients like milk powder, whey, or gelatin. Always check the "Is Vegan" status on our product pages.
How does CakeID rank the best Dried Meats?+
We rank Dried Meats based on their nutritional value, ingredient cleanliness (fewer additives), and vegan compatibility. Products with lower sugar and simpler ingredients rank higher.
Can I find low-calorie Dried Meats here?+
Yes! Our list highlights the nutritional details of each product. Look for the "Calories" badge on the product cards above to find low-calorie options.
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