Our ancestors preserved meat for apparent causes—meals was scarce, winters have been lengthy, and touring required transportable meals that was compact and long-lasting. For these causes, jerky was a staple lengthy earlier than paleo dieters made it the snack pattern it’s in the present day. Nonetheless, in the present day, the jerky market additionally contributes to a livestock business that’s unhealthy for our well being, the planet, and animals. Right here’s why it’s time to change to plant-based jerky.
What’s plant-based jerky?
First eaten by historic civilizations, jerky refers to skinny, light-weight strips of dried, salted meat. Often made with beef, it’s nonetheless a preferred snack in the present day. In truth, the jerky business is predicted to hit a worldwide market worth of $6.5 billion by 2027.
However there are different methods to make jerky that don’t contain farming animals. As you’ll see on the checklist beneath, in the present day numerous plant-based manufacturers are utilizing components like mushrooms, fruits, and soy to make jerky merchandise. As a result of, whereas shoppers may consider animals as the one “meaty” possibility for jerky-making, the terrestrial and marine plant kingdoms provide way more selection, taste, and textures as a result of, after all, something animal-based meals can do, crops can do higher.
For the vegan jerky class, the proof is within the chew. With this in thoughts, we’re highlighting 20 modern vegan jerkies (listed in no specific order) that we consider might probably upend conventional animal-based jerky gross sales.
Vegan jerky manufacturers
Decide up one among these vegan jerkies the subsequent time starvation strikes.
It’s Jerky Y’all
1 It’s Jerky Y’all
Impressed by native Texan flavors and components, this jerky is made utilizing natural soybeans and in addition options chipotle peppers and the area’s well-known cactus pears. Flavors embrace Black Pepper & Sea Salt, Prickly Pear Teriyaki, and Prickly Pear Chipotle. The very best half? Parts from every bag bought profit Rowdy Lady Sanctuary, a cattle ranch turned vegan farm animal sanctuary.
FIND IT HERE
Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.
2 Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.
With flavors similar to Maple Bacon, Smoky Carolina BBQ, and Basic Tso’s, this non-GMO textured soy protein-based jerky is all chew and stuffed with taste.
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@veggyjane/Instagram
3
Primal Spirit Meals Primal Strips
These individually-wrapped jerkies are comprised of soy, seitan, and shiitake mushrooms. Flavors similar to Thai Peanut and Texas BBQ make for an ideal transportable snack for touring, mountaineering, or preserving in your bag for snack emergencies.
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Past Meat
4 Past Meat Jerky
The masterminds behind the world-famous Past Burger at the moment are whipping up vegan jerky. Created from peas and mung bean protein, flavors embrace Unique, Sizzling & Spicy, and Teriyaki.
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Meati Meals
5Meati Meals Mushroom Jerky
This mushroom jerky is not like every other. Not like most mushroom-based jerky manufacturers, Meati Meals makes use of mycelium, the fast-growing root programs of mushrooms. The end result? A exceptional meaty texture. Accessible in Candy Chile, Peppered, and Unique flavors, every bag of jerky packs a whopping 15 grams of protein.
Discover it right here
Hive
6
Pan’s Mushroom Jerky
Backed by Shark Tank billionaire Mark Cuban, this vegan jerky is fabricated from shiitake mushrooms for a savory snack wealthy in umami. Flavors embrace Unique, Zesty Thai, Applewood BBQ, Salt & Pepper, Teriyaki, and Curry. Refill in your subsequent street journey!
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Beleaf
7BeLeaf Vegan Jerky
Well-known for his or her fan-favorite vegan fried egg, BeLeaf’s line of plant-based jerky is one other must-have for any vegan pantry. Made utilizing soybean protein, the corporate presents flavors like Spicy, Wasabi, and Unique.
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Theo’s Plant-Primarily based
8Theo’s Plant-Primarily based Beet Jerky
Theo Mourad, co-founder of Theo’s Plant-Primarily based, had greater than a decade of expertise within the meals business when he determined to create a “scrumptious vegetable expertise” not like every other. Armed with strategies he realized in Michelin star farm-to-table kitchens, Mourad created vegan jerky utilizing, effectively, beets! Select between Savory BBQ, Sesame-Ginger Teriyaki, and Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper.
Unlimeat
9 Unlimeat
One of many main mock meat manufacturers in South Korea, Unlimeat takes pleasure in its sustainable manufacturing strategies. Utilizing upcycled crops, Unlimeat creates numerous vegan merchandise starting from tuna to pulled pork and jerky. Accessible in Smoky Chili and Korean BBQ, this jerky is chewy, beefy, and packs an explosion of taste.
Nation Archer Provisions
10Nation Archer Provisions Plant-Primarily based Jerky
Between BBQ, Teriyaki, and Spiced Bacon flavors, this vegan-friendly model delivers in terms of plant-based jerky. King oyster mushrooms lend their tender texture to this traditional snack.
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Krave
11Krave Plant-Primarily based Jerky
One other vegan-friendly model, Krave’s vegan jerky is created from a base of peas and fava beans for a protein-packed snack. Plus, they’re gluten-free as well. Select between Korean Barbecue and Smoked Chipotle.
@talkingdoll/Instagram
12UniSoy Vegan Jerky
With a whopping six flavors, there’s a UniSoy Vegan Jerky to fulfill each craving. Whether or not you go for Black Pepper, Sizzling ‘n Spicy, Teriyaki, Carne Asada, Pineapple Habanero, or Smoky Chipotle, every bag packs a punch of taste.
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Moku Meals
13Moku Meals Plant-Primarily based Jerky
Crafted by world-renowned cooks, Moku Meals’ plant-based jerkies are nothing wanting scrumptious. Made in 4 signature flavors (Unique, Hawaiian Teriyaki, Candy & Spicy, and Korean BBQ), this meatless jerky owes its meaty chunk to mushrooms. Plus, 1% of each buy is donated to a nonprofit of your selection.
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Beanstalk
14Beanstalk
Maybe probably the most aptly named model on this checklist, Beanstalk’s line of vegan jerky is created from soybeans. Tender and chewy, this on-the-go snack packs 9 grams of protein and is ideal for a day pick-me-up.
Noble Jerky
15 Noble Jerky
Gourmand-crafted, Noble Jerky is made utilizing soy protein leading to a chewy, smoky style that’s excessive in protein. Vegans and omnivores alike are certain to benefit from the genuine style of the road’s Candy BBQ, Chipotle, Teriyaki, Sticky Hickory, and Unique flavors.
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@seitanmademedoit/Instagram
16
Lily’s Vegan Pantry
New York Metropolis’s premiere vegetarian meat vendor turned all-vegan grocer presents vegan jerkies made with Japanese konjac root (much like candy potato), wheat, or soy. All varieties are available a number of totally different flavors, together with French truffle, teriyaki, and vegan bacon.
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@ldbeme/Instagram
17
Stonewall’s Jerquee
Don’t let the flamboyant spelling idiot you! These single-serve “jerquees” are equal elements meaty, chewy, and savory.
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Jacked! Jackfruit Jerky
18Jacked! Jackfruit Jerky
Launched in 2022, Jacked! combines meaty jackfruit with flavor-forward seasoning blends to create the final word jerky snack. The brand new model isn’t stocked in shops simply but, however hungry vegans can order on-line as we look forward to Jacked! to hit retailer cabinets. Select between Malaysian Chili, Miso Ginger, and Candy & Spicy Black Pepper.
Discover it right here
Agro
19Agro
For an actual increase of power, attain for Agro’s plant-based Power Bolt jerky. Every taste on this vegan line packs a powerful 25 grams of protein per bag, however the Power Bolt selection has the additional benefit of caffeine. Snacks with a buzz? We’re so in.
Discover it right here
The Herbivorous Butcher
20The Herbivorous Butcher
The Herbivorous Butcher’s chewy and flavorful jerky is seitan-based and is available in 4 flavors: Teriyaki, Sizzlin’ Cajun, Salt ‘n Peppa, and Korean Jerky. “Frankly,” Kale Walch, The Herbivorous Butcher co-founder says, “I feel ours is extra flavorful and the feel is spot on. Some folks might not like that ours is a extra sensible texture, however totally different strokes for various of us.”
FIND IT HERE
For extra vegan snacks, learn:
Right here at VegNews, we dwell and breathe the vegan way of life, and solely suggest merchandise we really feel make our lives wonderful. Often, articles might embrace purchasing hyperlinks the place we would earn a small fee. On no account does this impact the editorial integrity of VegNews.
