Consuming beef jerky can be an expensive habit. (Click here to find out why jerky is expensive.) This article reviews 15 trending beef jerky products to determine the average price of beef jerky per ounce.
After fully reading this article, you’ll be able to make a more informed consumer purchase the next time you see jerky on sale.
So what is the average price of beef jerky? Based on the top 15 beef jerky trending brands on Amazon, the average cost as of April 2023 for an ounce of beef jerky is $2.50.
For perspective: In March 2019, for the same brands, the price of an ounce of beef jerky was $2.08, so over the past two years, there has been a 20% increase in its price ($2.50).
Now Let’s Break It up According to Quality
For further consideration, we’ll split the list (which appears below) roughly in half, separating them by price.
We’ll create two categories — “high-end” and “low-end.”
We’ll see how the average price changes when we separate the products.
Average Price of High-End Beef Jerky
When we take the seven (7) most expensive brands on our list and average their cost per ounce, we get an average price of $3.33.
Average Price of Low-End Beef Jerky
When we do the same for the eight (8) least expensive brands, we get an average figure of $1.55 per ounce.
The Take-Away: Low-End vs. High-End Beef Jerky
This data indicates that you can save significant money — more than 50% — by avoiding the supposed higher-end beef jerky brands.
Why is this?
The difference between high-end and low-end jerky mainly lies in the quality of the ingredients, production process, and overall taste experience.
Here are five (5) reasons why higher-end jerky is more expensive.
1. Quality of Meat
High-end jerky typically uses better cuts of meat with less fat, resulting in a better texture and taste. Low-end jerky may use cheaper cuts or even processed meat, which can affect the overall quality and taste.
2. Ingredients
Premium jerky often contains natural ingredients, such as real spices and herbs, and avoids artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Low-end jerky might include artificial ingredients and lower-quality spices.
3. Production Process
High-end jerky brands usually follow traditional methods of marinating, drying, and smoking to ensure optimal flavor and texture. Low-end jerky might be mass-produced using faster and cheaper methods that may compromise the taste and quality.
4. Taste and Texture
High-end jerky tends to offer a better taste experience, with more complex flavors and a tender, moist texture. Low-end jerky might be tougher, drier, and less flavorful.
5. Nutritional Value
High-quality jerky often has a better nutritional profile, with fewer additives and artificial ingredients, lower sodium content, and more protein per serving. Low-end jerky may have higher sodium levels and contain more additives.
Comparing Prices for 15 Popular Beef Jerky Brands
#1 – Jack Link’s Bold Cracked Pepper Beef Jerky
Total beef jerky: 18.75 ounces Price per ounce: $1.42 (Price as of April 2023)
This is a heavily peppered variety, which is sold here in a value pack. For about $26, you get 15 packages containing 1.25 ounces each. This means you’re paying $1.42 per ounce.
#2 – Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky
Jack Link's Meat Snacks Beef Jerky, Original, 16 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Total beef jerky: 16 ounces Price per ounce: 1.62 cents (Price as of April 2023)
#3 – Cattleman’s Cut Original Beef Jerky
CHEAPEST PER OUNCE OF THE 15 PRODUCTS REVIEWED.
Cattleman's Cut Original Beef Jerky, 10 Ounce
Usda steak marinated for over 24 hours and slow cooked for a tender bite; Clear bag because the handcrafted quality speaks for itself
Total beef jerky: 10 ounces Price per ounce: $1.40 (Price as of April 2023)
Cattleman’s cut is another well-regarded and commonly available brand. This one is not fancy, like our previous choice. It’s great for those who just want plain beef and nothing else.
#4 – Tillamook Country Smoker Beef Jerky
Tillamook Country Smoker Real Hardwood Smoked Beef Jerky, Old Fashioned, 10 Ounce
Total beef jerky: 10 ounces Price per ounce: $1.50 (Price as of April 2023)
The best thing about this jerky is that it has no preservatives or unnatural ingredients. This makes it more like homemade jerky, but with a longer shelf life.
#5 – Hard Times Beef Jerky
Hardtimes Handcrafted Beef Jerky - Original Flavor - 8 oz. Jar
Total beef jerky: 8 ounces Price per ounce: $4.00 (Price as of April 2023)
As the name implies, this brand is meant for long-term storage. It comes in an 8-ounce resealable jar, which is bound to increase its shelf life. I can see how this brand might be a good thing to put into a backpack for a long hike.
#6 – People’s Choice Beef Jerky
Total beef jerky: 16 ounces Price per ounce: $2.12 (Price as of April 2023)
This one is meant to be a healthier choice. It has no sugar, no carbs, no gluten, and nothing unnatural at all.
#7 – Ayoba-Yo Biltong
MOST EXPENSIVE PER OUNCE OF THE 15 PRODUCTS REVIEWED.
Total beef jerky: 2 ounces Price per ounce: $4.48 (Price as of April 2023)
Biltong is a traditional African style of beef jerky. Instead of being dried in an oven, biltong is air-dried for 14 days. Obviously, the hot climate of Africa aids the process considerably. This brand is made from only grass-fed beef so it’s entirely natural.
#8 – Righteous Felon Beef Jerky Bundle
Total beef jerky: 8 ounces Price per ounce: $1.75 (Price as of April 2023)
This brand has an edgy name and a cartoonish label. The different sub-types have cool names like “Habanero Escobar” and “Chipotle Guevara.”
#9 – “Creeping Ghost” Carolina Reaper Beef Jerky
Total beef jerky: 3 ounces Price per ounce: $3.16 (Price as of April 2023)
This is some of the hottest beef jerky you could ever want, as it is made with ghost peppers. If you like serious heat with a little sweetness, this is a good one. Just be aware that the ghost pepper is considered by many to be the world’s hottest pepper.
#10 – Stryve Beef Biltong
Total beef jerky: 10 ounces Price per ounce: $2.90 (Price as of April 2023)
This is another example of African-style beef jerky, which is softer than oven-dried jerky. Thankfully, this one is a little cheaper.
#11 – Chef’s Cut Original Recipe
Total beef jerky: 14 ounces Price per ounce: $1.75 (Price as of April 2023)
#12 – Buffalo Bills Premium Hickory Beef Jerky
Buffalo Bills 16oz Premium Hickory Beef Jerky Pieces (hickory smoked jerky in random size pieces)
Total beef jerky: 16 ounces Price per ounce: $2.44 (Price as of April 2023)
If you like that old-school hickory taste, this jerky delivers, and its price isn’t too bad. And it’s made from very lean meat.
#13 – Country Archer Original Recipe
Original Beef Jerky by Country Archer, 100% Grass-Fed, Gluten Free, Road Trip Snacks, 16 Ounces
100% GRASS-FED BEEF: Contains a 1 pound resealable bag Country Archer Original Beef Jerky; AS GOURMET AS JERKY GETS: Handcrafted with clean, real food and organic ingredients
Total beef jerky: 16 ounces Price per ounce: $1.42 (Price as of April 2023)
This is an excellent energy source for hiking and is well-seasoned, making it a delicious choice.
#14 – Oberto All-Natural Original Beef Jerky
Sale
Oh Boy! Oberto Classics Thin Style Peppered Beef Jerky, 1.2 Ounce (Pack of 8)
SMART SNACKING: Thin Style is low fat and low carb
Total beef jerky: 9.6 ounces Price per ounce: $4.46 (Price as of April 2023)
When they say “all-natural,” what they mean is that this jerky is just meat and nothing else. This can be very good if you’re using the jerky as travel food because plain meat goes with anything.
#15 – Mingua Beef Jerky
Mingua Beef Jerky (The Original) 7 oz Original (Mild)
Total beef jerky: 7 ounces Price per ounce: $3.07 per ounce (Price as of April 2023)
This beef jerky is exceptionally tender and full of flavor. Although it’s slightly pricey, the quality justifies the cost.
When we take all 15 products and average them, we get $2.50 per ounce. Considering how little an ounce of beef jerky is, we’re looking at a somewhat expensive food.
Conclusion
For those of us who enjoy beef jerky, rest assured that there are affordable options to satisfy your meat tooth. Given the price of beef, the cost of jerky appears relatively reasonable.
It’s important to note that beef jerky prices have been increasing recently due to higher production costs, mainly caused by changes in farming regulations, increasing beef prices, and inflation. These prices may fluctuate significantly in the upcoming years.
Considering that beef jerky can be stored for a couple of years, it might be a good idea to stock up on your favorite varieties now.
If you’re interested in a better perspective on the differences in cost between store-bought and homemade beef jerky, watch the below video.
Homemade Beef Jerky Cost Experiment Comparison (Video)
How much are you paying on average for an ounce of beef jerky? Are you paying less or more than what we’ve cited above? Please share in the comments below.
QUOTE:
"You might be a redneck if you think that beef jerky and moon pies are two of the major food groups."
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About the Author
Charles Joseph
In 2017, a good friend introduced me to the most amazing beef jerky I had ever tasted. And his source was from the most unexpected of places--a random guy in Thailand whom he had met while living there. Although I had been eating jerky since as far back as I could remember, I was genuinely blown away by the flavor. I realized the best beef jerky doesn't come from a store. This experience inspired me to create Beef Jerky Hub and put into writing all the things I've since learned about this amazing food. If you're interested, you can read more about my story here.