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Beef Jerky Is Expensive
Beef jerkyenthusiasts everywhere have a common lament: why is beef jerky so expensive? It's so delicious, so addictive, but sometimes it's hard to find room in the budget for such a snack. We get it, we really do, and that's one reason we try to keep our beef jerky prices lower than most. Not to undercut our competitors, but to make it easier on you.Even so, beef jerky is expensive. Beef jerky is so expensive because it uses a lot of quality meat to make just a little bit of jerky, the process takes resources and employees' time, and beef jerky producers often buy from the beef industry and the price of beef can be expensive.
See our less expensive beef jerky prices
Read about how and why we keep our prices low!
Why Is Beef Jerky So Expensive?
One reason beef jerky is so expensive is because it takes a lot of meat to make a little jerky. Think about when you're cooking up a hamburger. It starts out one size, and shrinks as you cook it - and when you're done there's still plenty of juices left!(if you do it right) The hamburger loses water and fat as you cook it, and there's even still some left by the end.
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When we make our jerky, we dry the meat to the point of havingalmost no fat and no water content. Think about the size difference between an uncooked and a cooked burger. Now picture beef jerky - it takes a big piece of meat to make just one piece of jerky!
Try our Natural Cut Beef Jerky -
(Each piece is cut straight from a slab of fresh, locally-grown beef!)
Beef Jerky is an Expensive Process
Another reason beef jerky is so expensive is the process and equipment it takes to make it. Sure, you can make beef jerky at home with a smoker or even your oven, but doing it on a large scale and selling hundreds of pounds of it requires a lot of people, machines, and time. Beef jerky is so expensive partly to compensate for the various costs of making it.
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Beef for Jerky Can Be Expensive to Buy
Beef jerky can be expensive for people who outsource their beef to make it. If people buy theirbeef from outside sources in the beef market, they have to adjust their beef jerky prices based on how much they have to pay it for.
That's a big reason why here at Top Notch Jerky, we grow our own beef in order to provide our customers with the best prices possible. We own and control everything from our cattle to the selling of our jerky which allows us to cut the costs that come from having middle-men (ranchers, processing, retailers). We just bring the beef from our cows to you in order to make it so our beef jerky isn't so expensive.
Getting Bang for Your Buck
While beef jerky is expensive, the product is worth it if you're looking for certain health benefits. Just 1 oz of beef jerky has about 7 grams of protein, about 13-14% of your daily intake of protein. That means you don't have to eat much of it to get more benefits, so it's more worth the money!
Buy our nutritional and affordable beef jerky here
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Our Beef Jerky is Less Expensive
In our physical store, we have our jerky priced at $9.99 for 10 oz, or $4.25 for 3.25 oz, which is cheaper than most brands of beef jerky. In our online store, we do have to price it higher to match the cost of theretailers who sell our jerky,but to compensate for that we offer free shipping on orders over $50 and beef jerky subscription packages that make our online prices more closely match our storefront prices!
Next time you wonder, "why is beef jerky so expensive?" You can remind yourself that it's a lot less expensive here and come on over to Top Notch Jerky for some quality, affordable jerky.
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FAQs
Beef jerky is so expensive because it uses a lot of quality meat to make just a little bit of jerky, the process takes resources and employees' time, and beef jerky producers often buy from the beef industry and the price of beef can be expensive.
When did beef jerky get expensive? ›
Rising Costs of Beef and Other Premium Ingredients
The cost of producing a bag of super premium jerky has now risen almost two dollars per bag since 2010. The cost of labor has skyrocketed.
Why do people like beef jerky so much? ›
Beef jerky is a nutrition snack, but you might not know that you can cook with it too. Beef jerky is packed with flavour, which is why it is such a popular snack. Adding beef jerky into other dishes can bring a punch of meaty flavour or smoky flavour depending on the variant.
What is the downside of beef jerky? ›
Consuming beef jerky in moderation is key since processed and red meats can increase the risk of health complications. Beef jerky often has high sodium content to preserve the meat. Excess sodium may lead to bloating and weight gain. American Heart Association.
How much beef jerky will 1 lb of meat make? ›
You can understand why, since processing jerky takes time, and a pound of meat only produces about 1/4-pound of finished jerky. However, it really is a manageable process that you can do at home.
Why do Americans love beef jerky? ›
5 Reasons Americans Love Beef Jerky
From astronauts to the army, backpackers to world travelers, jerky has a long shelf life and does not spoil easily. It's ready to eat. Americans love their fast food. Anything that can be consumed right out of the package helps us stay ahead of our busy lifestyles.
Can beef jerky last 10 years? ›
The longest lifespan of beef jerky is for an unopened package. Most unopened beef jerky will last for at least one year if you store your jerky in the fridge or at room temperature. However, if you store unopened beef jerky in the freezer, it could last for up to two years.
Is beef jerky good forever? ›
Generally, commercial beef jerky is best enjoyed within one year. However, to enjoy the jerky's premium flavor and textures, we recommend consuming it within six months of purchase. Homemade beef jerky, on the other hand, should last one to two months if you store it in an airtight container after making it.
Is it OK to eat jerky everyday? ›
The American Cancer Society recommends limiting your intake of red and processed meats like beef jerky. That's because the World Health Organization has concluded that eating 50 grams of processed meat every day (about 2 to 3 large pieces of jerky) increases your risk for colon cancer by 18%.
Who eats the most beef jerky? ›
Beef jerky's intrepid reputation continues to this day, as one of the most requested foods among soldiers and astronauts. Because jerky is light-weight, nutrient-rich and long-lasting, it provides the perfect trifecta for heroes on the go.
Both beef jerky and chips are both salty, savory, and delicious snacks. Beef jerky, however, is a much healthier option than chips with less calories, less fat, less carbs, and more protein. When trying to eat a healthy lifestyle, making small changes can have a big impact.
Is jerky bad for your gut? ›
Eating too much beef jerky can indeed cause constipation. Although pure beef jerky is high in protein, it's low in fiber. And fiber promotes intestinal health by delaying digestion. So if you eat too much beef jerky, you can get constipated from the lack of fiber.
Is beef jerky bad for high blood pressure? ›
Salted Snacks
Other things to look out for include jerky and nuts. Those might seem like healthier snacks because they are sources of protein and healthy fats (in certain nuts), but for those with high blood pressure, they can be bad news. Look for varieties with no or very little salt added.
Is jerky bad for cholesterol? ›
You should avoid beef jerky that has lots of saturated fat—they raise your cholesterol and are linked to an increased chance of heart disease.
Why is gas station jerky so expensive? ›
To make beef jerky, you slice lean cuts of beef into strips, marinate them in a cure, then lay them out to dry and cook very slowly at a very, very low temperature. Almost every step in that process is costly.
What's the average price of beef jerky per ounce? ›
The price of beef jerky varies depending on several factors such as the brand, flavor, packaging, and location. The average price of beef jerky per ounce is around $4 to $6, but this can range from as low as $2 to as high as $12 per ounce.
Why are beef jerky bags so empty? ›
Additionally, the packaging often includes oxygen and moisture-absorbing packets to maintain freshness, which also take up space in the bag. However, it's important to note that even though the bag may seem empty, it typically contains the labelled weight or quantity of beef jerky.
How much jerky will 5lbs of meat make? ›
Generally, 3 lbs of raw jerky meat will produce 1 lb of dry jerky. Each PS Jerky Kit is measured for 5 lbs of meat, so expect around 2 lbs of dry jerky. As you might expect, beef jerky is the most popular meat for jerky making but other meats can be just as, if not more, delicious.
