Drop the Greasy Jerky Brands and Reach for This Healthy, Low-Sodium Beef Jerky Instead

With work, school drop-offs, workouts, and anything else that packs your day, it's hard to get all the protein you need to sustain your hectic schedule. While meal prepping is one surefire way to hit your macros, snacks are a must for people who don't always have the luxury of stopping to eat chicken and rice. With the convenience of high-protein snacks like beef jerky, you can get everything you need without losing a minute of valuable time. If you're thinking, Is beef jerky is healthy anyway?, rest assured there are plenty of high-quality options on the market.

While packaged varieties have certainly exploded, jerky isn’t new. Dried meats have been around for hundreds of years starting with Native Americans, who preserved meat by adding salt and drying it out in the sun or over fire during the winter months.

Today, you have an abundance of proteins being dried: beef, poultry, game meat, and fish. It's booming—especially with the evolution of the paleo diet and Whole30 diet trends.

Related: The Best Yogurt for Weight Loss That's High in Protein and Low in Sugar

Is Beef Jerky Healthy?

Formerly packed with high sodium levels, added MSG, nitrates, and artificial preservatives, jerky hasn't always been a healthy grab-and-go snack (especially the ones you can get at a gas station). 

Thankfully, the industry has come a long way, and you can find tons of options with clean ingredients and low sodium that can serve as an afternoon protein boost. When searching for healthy jerky options, opt for brands with fewer than 500mg sodium content per serving and no more than 5g of added sugar.

Nutrient composition depends on the brand, but beef jerky tends to be high in zinc, B12, and choline. It also has heme iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and biologically active peptides like carnosine, which offer a range of health benefits, especially for active people looking to gain muscle. Naturally fermented beef jerky can also boost your gut health with good bacteria.

We’ve searched grocery and convenience stores to find you the best (and healthiest) beef jerky. See our top 10 low-sodium, low-sugar picks below. 

Related: The Best Low-Calorie Crackers to Eat If You're Trying to Lose Weight in the New Year

10 Best Low-Sodium, Low-Sugar Beef Jerky Brands

1. Country Archer Classic Beef Jerky

Looking for a zero-sugar snack on the go that's jam-packed with protein and healthy ingredients? Look no further than Country Archer's Classic Grass-Feed/Finished Beef Jerky. Made with top-notch ingredients, the jerky is certified keto and gluten-free and is free of sugar, soy, preservatives, nitrates/nitrites, and MSG.

Nutrition: (1 oz) 70 calories, 1.5g fat (0g saturated fat), 260mg sodium, 2g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 12g protein

2. Brooklyn Biltong Air Dried Grass-Fed Beef

This isn't just regular old beef jerky. Brooklyn Biltong is marinated with spices and apple cider vinegar for maximum tenderness and dried slowly for a delectable flavor like no other. It's a truly guilt-free snack.

Nutrition: (1 oz) 90 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 380mg sodium,

3. Chomps Grass-Fed and Finished Original Beef Jerky

When it comes to the beef jerky game, no brand has gained a name for itself quite as much as Chomps. Crafted with high-quality ingredients, Chomps Grass-Fed and Finished Original Beef Jerky serves up a slightly smoky and spicy flavor and is the perfect size to throw in your gym bag or work pack.  

Nutrition: (1.15 oz) 100 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 380mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 10g protein

4. EPIC Venison Beef Sea Salt & Pepper Snack Strips

Searching for a jerky brand with an array of flavors, textures, and meats? Look no further than EPIC. Made with minimal, high-quality ingredients, the EPIC Venison Beef Sea Salt & Pepper Snack Strips are convenient and have just enough protein to tide you over before your next regularly scheduled meal. 

Nutrition: (23 g) 80 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 390mg sodium,

5. Lucky Beef Jerky

Original flavoring doesn't have to be boring. Lucky Beef Jerky is a tasty, all-natural product made from beef without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics. While the original is a fan favorite, other flavors include red pepper, teriyaki, and peppered. 

Nutrition: (1 oz) 70 calories, 4g fat (1.5g saturated fat), 340mg sodium, 2g carbs, 0g fiber, 1g sugar, 8g protein

6. Lorissa's Kitchen Grass-Fed Beef Jerky

Don't let the original flavor fool you, Lorissa's Kitchens Grass-Fed Beef Jerky is anything but boring. These tender beef sticks are thoughtfully seasoned with a tasty blend of savory spices and then slow-smoked to tie together the signature flavor. 

Nutrition: (28 g) 110 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 330mg sodium,

7. The New Primal Grass-Fed Beef Sticks

Grass-fed beef sticks with a mix of onion, white and black peppers, ginger, and lemon peel? Yes, please! The New Primal Grass-Fed Beef Sticks are delicious, nutritious, and free of the top eight most common allergens. 

Nutrition: (1 oz) 80 calories, 6g fat (2.5g saturated fat), 380mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 8g protein

8. Nick's Sticks 100% Grass-Fed Beef Snack

Nick's Sticks start with 100 percent grass-fed beef and are met with Redmond seasoned salt, garlic, and onion for a delicious final product. The beef snacks are free of antibiotics, hormones, nitrates, artificial colors, and more.

Nutrition: (1.7 oz) 120 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 375mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 10g protein

9. Think Jerky Original Beef Sticks

Crafted by experts with flavor in mind, Think Jerky Original Beef Sticks are mouthwatering and healthy at the same time. They're low in calories and fat and are made without hormones, antibiotics, or preservatives.

Nutrition: (1 oz) 80 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 330mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 8g protein

10. Stryve Original Thinly Sliced Steak

Skip the steakhouse and grab Stryve Original Thinly Sliced Steak for a protein-packed snack to go. Diet-friendly, delicious, and free of sugar, nitrates, preservatives, and more, they're pretty much snack heaven.

Nutrition: (1 oz) 100 calories, 3.5g fat (1.5g saturated fat), 430mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 16g protein