Put Down the Meat Sticks and Try These Vegan Jerky Options for a Healthier Snack

Our ancestors preserved meat for obvious reasons—food was scarce, winters were long, and traveling required portable food that was compact and long-lasting. For these reasons, jerky was a staple long before paleo dieters made it the snack trend it is today. However, now, the jerky market also contributes to a livestock industry that’s bad for our health, the planet, and animals. Here’s why it’s time to switch to plant-based jerky.

Jump to the jerkIES

What is plant-based jerky?

First eaten by ancient civilizations, jerky refers to thin, lightweight strips of dried, salted meat. Usually made with beef, it’s still a popular snack today. In fact, the jerky industry is predicted to hit a global market value of $6.5 billion by 2027.

RELATED: 17 Vegan Seafood Options, From Shrimp to Scallops

But there are other ways to make jerky that don’t involve meat. As you’ll see on the list below, several plant-based brands are using ingredients like mushrooms, fruits, and soy to make jerky products. 

For the vegan jerky category, the proof is in the chew. With this in mind, we’re highlighting innovative vegan jerkies (listed in no particular order) that we believe could potentially upend traditional animal-based jerky sales.

Vegan jerky brands

Pick up one of these vegan jerkies the next time hunger strikes. 

It’s Jerky Y’all

1 It’s Jerky Y’all

Inspired by local Texan flavors and ingredients, this jerky is made using organic soybeans and also features chipotle peppers and the region’s famous cactus pears. Flavors include Black Pepper & Sea Salt, Prickly Pear Teriyaki, and Prickly Pear Chipotle. The best part? Portions from each bag sold benefit Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, a cattle ranch turned vegan farm animal sanctuary.
FIND IT HERE

Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.

2 Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.

With flavors such as Smoked Black Pepper, Maple Bacon, Smoky Carolina BBQ, and Buffalo Hot Wing, this non-GMO textured soy protein-based jerky is all chew and full of flavor. 
FIND IT HERE

@veggyjane/Instagram

3
Primal Spirit Foods Primal Strips

These individually-wrapped jerkies are comprised of soy, seitan, and shiitake mushrooms. Flavors such as Thai Peanut and Texas BBQ make for a perfect portable snack for traveling, hiking, or keeping in your bag for snack emergencies.
FIND IT HERE

Pan’s Mushroom Jerky

4
Pan’s Mushroom Jerky

Backed by Shark Tank billionaire Mark Cuban, this vegan jerky is made of shiitake mushrooms for a savory snack rich in umami. Flavors include Original, Zesty Thai, Applewood BBQ, Salt & Pepper, Teriyaki, and Curry. Stock up for your next road trip!
FIND IT HERE

Beleaf

5BeLeaf Plant-Based Jerky

Famous for their vegan fried egg, BeLeaf’s line of plant-based jerky is another must-have for any vegan pantry. Made using soybean protein, the company offers flavors like Spicy, Thai Hot & Sour, and Original.
FIND IT HERE

Theo’s Plant-Based

6Theo’s Plant-Based Beet Jerky

Theo Mourad, co-founder of Theo’s Plant-Based, had more than a decade of experience in the food industry when he decided to create a “delicious vegetable experience” unlike any other. Armed with techniques he learned in Michelin star farm-to-table kitchens, Mourad created vegan jerky using, well, beets! Choose between Savory BBQ, Sesame-Ginger Teriyaki, and Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper.
Find it here

Unlimeat

7 Unlimeat

One of the leading mock meat brands in South Korea, Unlimeat takes pride in its sustainable production methods. Using upcycled plants, Unlimeat creates a number of vegan products ranging from tuna to pulled pork and jerky. Available in Cracker Pepper and Korean BBQ, this jerky is chewy, beefy, and packs an explosion of flavor.
Find it here

@talkingdoll/Instagram

8UniSoy Vegan Jerky

With a whopping six flavors, there’s a UniSoy Vegan Jerky to satisfy every craving. Whether you opt for Cracked Black Pepper, Hot & Spicy, Teriyaki, Carne Asada, Pineapple Habanero, or Smoky Chipotle, each bag packs a punch of flavor.
FIND IT HERE

Moku Foods

9Moku Foods Plant-Based Jerky

Crafted by world-renowned chefs, Moku Foods’ plant-based jerkies are nothing short of delicious. Made in four signature flavors (Original, Hawaiian Teriyaki, Sweet & Spicy, and Korean Barbecue), this meatless jerky owes its meaty bite to mushrooms. Plus, 1 percent of every purchase is donated to a nonprofit of your choice. 
FIND IT HERE

Beanstalk

10Beanstalk

Perhaps the most aptly named brand on this list, Beanstalk’s line of vegan jerky is made from soybeans. Tender and chewy, this on-the-go snack packs nine grams of protein and is perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Find it here

Noble Jerky

11 Noble Jerky

Gourmet-crafted, Noble Jerky is made using soy protein resulting in a chewy, smoky taste that’s high in protein. Vegans and omnivores alike are sure to enjoy the authentic taste of the line’s Sweet BBQ, Chipotle, Teriyaki, and Original flavors. 
FIND IT HERE

Agro

12Agro

For a real boost of energy, reach for Agro’s plant-based Energy Bolt jerky. Each flavor in this vegan line packs an impressive 25 grams of protein per bag, but the Energy Bolt variety has the added benefit of caffeine. Snacks with a buzz? We’re so in. 
Find it here

The Herbivorous Butcher

13The Herbivorous Butcher

The Herbivorous Butcher’s chewy and flavorful jerky is seitan-based and comes in four flavors: Teriyaki, Sizzlin’ Cajun, Salt ‘n Peppa, and Korean Jerky. “Frankly, I think ours is more flavorful and the texture is spot on,” Kale Walch, The Herbivorous Butcher co-founder says. “Some people may not like that ours is a more realistic texture, but different strokes for different folks.”
FIND IT HERE

Kojo

14 Kojo

For spice-lovers, Kojo’s Spicy Chipotle jerky packs in a meaty bite and plenty of heat. It’s made with ingredients like soy flour, tamari, and liquid smoke, and each serving has around nine grams of protein. Don’t like the spice? The brand also offers Cracked Pepper jerky and Ginger Teriyaki.
Find it here

Off-Piste

15 Off-Piste

According to the brand, the name “off-piste” is all about taking a different, healthier, more ethical route to making jerky: with plants. Its chewy, protein-packed meaty snacks come in several flavors, including Sweet & Hot, Teriyaki, and Original.
Find it here