THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
Beef jerky has been a snacking staple for centuries. It seems to check every box - it’s portable and shelf-stable for on-the-go snacking, it’s high in protein and healthy fats, and it tastes great!
But, it’s not for everyone. The biggest issue is how chewy and difficult to eat beef jerky can be. That’s not to mention the fact of the matter, which is that the vast majority of jerkies are loaded with preservatives and artificial ingredients.
The good news is you have plenty of options at your fingertips if you’re looking for a beef jerky alternative. We’ve put together a list of our personal favorites for you below, ranging from biltong to boiled eggs. But the best alternative to beef jerky is just a click away: our carnivore chips.
These are made from just two ingredients, meat and salt. Though it sounds pretty similar to beef jerky, they’re very different. Our meat chips start with a light, airy crisp before melting in your mouth, giving way to tantalizing flavors. They’re made from just two ingredients, too.
So, learn more about what makes Carnivore Snax the best beef jerky substitute below. Or, taste and experience the difference firsthand today by placing your order!
What’s Wrong With Beef Jerky?
Be clear, beef jerky has its place in the snack kingdom. It’s a high-protein, low-carb option that’s readily available - you can find it at your nearest grocery store or gas station.
It’s convenient, lightweight, and packed with flavor, perfect for road trips, hikes, or simply curbing hunger between meals. However, beef jerky has its downsides, which is why you might be interested in a beef jerky alternative.
The reality is that most store-bought jerky isn’t as healthy as it appears. From questionable ingredients to hidden carbs and poor sourcing, there are several reasons why beef jerky might not be the best option for your diet. These include:
- Hidden Sugars and Additives: It’s loaded with sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavorings to enhance taste and extend shelf life. It’s not uncommon to find multiple grams of sugar per serving, even in brands marketed as “healthy” or “low-carb.” Many recipes contain soy sauce, MSG, nitrates, and questionable seasonings.
- Tough and Chewy Texture: Some don’t mind the tough, stringy, and difficult-to-chew texture. Most people find it unpleasant, though. Moisture is removed during processing, leaving behind an overly dry and sometimes rubbery texture.
- Expensive for What You Get: Beef jerky is overpriced on a per-ounce basis. You’re often paying for marketing and packaging rather than quality ingredients.
- Poor Sourcing Standards: Mainstream jerky brands use low-quality beef, including feedlot-raised, grain-fed cattle that are pumped with antibiotics and hormones.
- Limited Fat Content: Most beef jerky is too lean. It lacks the natural, satiating fats found in whole cuts of meat. If you’re on the carnivore diet vs keto this matters since fat is your primary source of energy.
All that being said, can you eat beef jerky on the carnivore diet? Most of the time the answer is no, as brands use plant-based ingredients in their recipes. Don’t worry, though. The best beef jerky alternative is right here waiting to be discovered!
What’s a Healthy Alternative to Beef Jerky You Can Try?
Beef jerky had its moment, but these days, there are far better beef jerky substitutes worth exploring. We’ve compiled a list of the best high protein snacks to point you in the right direction.
Each of these options offers superior taste, better texture, and more complete nutrition without the hidden sugars, tough chew, and excessive price tag. But the best beef jerky alternative is our meat chips at Carnivore Snax.
Meat Chips
- Protein per serving: 15-20g per ounce
- Fat per serving: 10-15g per ounce
- Carbs per serving: 0g
- Calories per serving: 150-180 per ounce
Meat chips take everything great about beef jerky and make it better. Instead of tough, chewy strips, meat chips are light, crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth, making them the perfect low-carb, high-protein snack.
Our carnivore treats are ethically sourced from the most elite regenerative farms in the nation, so you can feel good about spoiling yourself. They contain just two ingredients, too - meat and salt. That’s it. Yet, they taste absolutely amazing and will satisfy your cravings.
The best part is they’re more affordable per ounce than traditional jerky, too. Plus, there’s a cut for every preference, whether you want something light and lean or tender and satiating:
With more than 110,000 happy customers and counting you don’t have to take our word for it when we say this is the best alternative to beef jerky. Order yours today and see for yoursrelf what keeps people coming back for more!
Biltong
- Protein per serving: 16-20g per ounce
- Fat per serving: 3-6g per ounce
- Carbs per serving: 0-2g
- Calories per serving: 120-160 per ounce
Biltong has always been seen as the best beef jerky alternative because it’s as close as it gets to jerky. It’s an air-dried, seasoned beef snack that’s softer, more tender, and more flavorful than traditional jerky.
But since it doesn’t go through heat processing like beef jerky does it has a more complete, intact nutritional profile - with a much more enjoyable texture. It’s naturally higher in fat than most beef jerky brands, too.
Pemmican
- Protein per serving: 6-10g per ounce
- Fat per serving: 30-40g per ounce
- Carbs per serving: 0g
- Calories per serving: 250-350 per ounce
This alternative to beef jerky has been considered the ultimate survival food, traced back to when the Native Americans would mix together dried meat, rendered fat, and sometimes berries.
It’s among the most energy-dense foods on the planet, a perfect beef jerky alternative for those who need to push through a tough hike or workday.
However, the protein content can be a bit lower than some of the other substitutes on this list - and it’s not always carnivore-friendly if that matters to you. Pemmican is also much harder to come by than some of the other options at your disposal.
Pork Rinds & Cracklings
- Protein per serving: 7-10g per ounce
- Fat per serving: 5-9g per ounce
- Carbs per serving: 0g
- Calories per serving: 150 per ounce
Look no further if you’re craving a crunchy, salty snack. Pork rinds are a great high-protein alternative to beef jerky - albeit a bit lower in protein than some of the other options on this list. Still, pork rinds are packed in healthy fats so they’re a perfect fit for keto and carnivore diets.
These are easy to make at home on your own. You can enjoy them as is or pair them with sour cream, guacamole, or cheese for extra flavor. You should try our pork rinds carnivore diet recipe!
Smoked Salmon or Fish Jerky
- Protein per serving: 15-20g per ounce
- Fat per serving: 4-8g per ounce
- Carbs per serving: 0g
- Calories per serving: 100-150 per ounce
Smoked salmon or fish jerky (like mackerel or trout) is a seafood-based alternative to traditional beef jerky. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein, but more importantly, it tends to be devoid of some of the fillers beef jerky is known for featuring.
The softer texture is also more enjoyable for those who find beef jerky overly chewy. Those omega-3s are essential for your heart and brain health, so make sure to include this beef jerky substitute in your arsenal!
Cured Meats (Salami, Prosciutto, Chorizo)
- Protein per serving: 10-15g per ounce
- Fat per serving: 10-20g per ounce
- Carbs per serving: 0-2g
- Calories per serving: 150-200 per ounce
Cured meats certainly don’t bring the same crunch that other alternatives on our list do, but they make up for it with their nutritional value. Salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, and chorizo are great high-fat, high-protein alternatives to jerky.
You’ll enjoy bold flavors, better texture, and higher fat content. These are perfect for keto and carnivore diets. Just know that there are some concerns surrounding deli meats because of the nitrates and nitrites they contain.
However, these pair well with cheese, nuts, and other low-carb snacks as part of a bigger snack spread. They’re great for entertaining guests or quick nutrition since you don’t need to chew through tough, dried-out jerky.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Protein per serving: 6g per egg
- Fat per serving: 5g per egg
- Carbs per serving: 0.5g per egg
- Calories per serving: 70 per egg
Hard-boiled eggs are a quick, easy, and highly nutritious alternative to beef jerky. They provide a perfect balance of protein and healthy fats, along with choline, vitamins, and minerals - nutrients that many other substitutes won’t offer.
The only issue we have with this beef jerky substitute is it can be a bit boring and bland. You can counter this by eating them with salt, dipping them in butter, or mashing them into a carnivore-friendly egg salad.
Cheese Crisps
- Protein per serving: 7-9g per ounce
- Fat per serving: 10-12g per ounce
- Carbs per serving: 0-2g
- Calories per serving: 120-150 per ounce
Wait, can you eat cheese on carnivore diet? You sure can! At least, as long as dairy doesn’t upset your stomach and cause digestive issues. If not, you’ll love these crunchy, salty snacks.
They’re made from baked or fried cheese and can be 100% free of carbs. It all depends on the type of cheese being used, though. At any rate, cheese crisps are packed with calcium and healthy fats.
Canned Sardines or Mackerel
- Protein per serving: 15-20g per can
- Fat per serving: 10-15g per can
- Carbs per serving: 0g
- Calories per serving: 180-250 per can
These definitely aren’t the most appetizing or satisfying beef jerky alternative, but canned sardines and mackerel definitely have their place on this list from a nutritional standpoint.
You get plenty of protein, healthy fats, and omega-3s in a convenient, shelf-stable format. There’s no need to stress about sugar, preservatives, or additives, either. You may just have to suck it up and accept that not all your snacks are going to taste amazing!
Bone Marrow Bites
- Protein per serving: 5-10g per ounce
- Fat per serving: 25-30g per ounce
- Carbs per serving: 0g
- Calories per serving: 200-300 per ounce
Last but not least, we have bone marrow bites - another often overlooked alternative to beef jerky. These are a unique, ultra-fatty alternative to beef jerky that delivers pure nutrition and a rich, creamy texture. Eat them roasted, blended into sauces, or as quick, energy-dense snacks for carnivore diet.
Wrapping Up Our Beef Jerky Alternative Guide
Beef jerky might be a convenient snack, but there are better, more nutritious alternatives that deliver higher-quality protein, better texture, and superior flavor - all without unnecessary additives or tough, chewy bites.
We hope this beef jerky substitute guide has left you feeling clear about the carnivore diet foods you can round out your snack arsenal with. Be it crispy meat chips, nutrient-dense pemmican, fatty smoked salmon, or satisfying cheese crisps, there’s no shortage of options to fuel your body.
The best high-fat low carb snacks, though, are right here at Carnivore Snax. Ditch the overly processed junk and upgrade your snacking game with a clean, high-protein beef jerky alternative that actually satisfies your cravings.
