A jerky slicer helps slice larger quantities of meat more efficiently and at a higher level of consistency. Consistent thickness is the secret to quality homemade beef jerky and it’s the standard for any jerky slicer. These slicers will also work for all different protein types including beef, pork, poultry, and even seafood.
Here are essential questions to consider when selecting the best meat slicer for jerky:
- How much jerky are you making at a time?
- Do you prefer cutting with the grain or against the grain?
- How important is versatility in the finished thickness of the slices?
- How much do you want to spend?
- What type of jerky do you want to make? Slices? Strips? Sticks?
Based on these questions, we have a jerky slicer recommendation for every type of home jerky maker.
- For an easy and affordable solution…Stainless Steel Jerky Maker Cutting Board
- For slicing larger volumes in strips…Weston Manual Single-Support Jerky Slicer
- For perfect slices…Chef's Choice Electric Meat Slicer
- For less manual labor and faster output…Big Bite Electric 2 in 1 Tenderizer
- For the traditionalists…Victorinox Fibrox Pro, 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
*Pricing pulled at the time of writing this article. Prices can fluctuate.
These recommendations come from 90+ years of commercial jerky experience as well as extensive hands-on testing of homemade jerky equipment. We reviewed all the big names in home meat processing such as Weston Brands, LEM, and Backyard Pro, as well as non-name brand options available on Amazon.
We’ve spent 25+ hours researching the best options based on consumer reports, customer reviews, and industry forums. We then conducted our own, in-person testing to see how the jerky slicers stack up in our Test Kitchen.
In addition to delivering an even thickness, our recommendations are vetted for durability, quality materials, and guarantees from the manufacturers. We recommend everything from basic options to near-commercial models, along with price points from budget-friendly to splurge.
Let’s dive into the different types of jerky slicers.
For an easy and affordable solution…
Slicing meat by hand for jerky requires patience, attention to detail, and lots of practice. A jerky slicing board is an economical solution that makes the jerky slicing process much easier and more consistent.
The metal guides of the jerky slicing board make slicing thin strips much easier than free-hand slicing. Most jerky slicing board kits come with everything you’ll need to slice meat for jerky. This includes a knife tailored for the size of the board.
Here’s a video that demonstrates how to use a jerky slicing board.
One of the drawbacks of a jerky slicing board is that it does not increase speed or output. The slicing process is still manual and takes a similar amount of time to slicing by hand. The main advantage is the consistency of the slices.
Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to freeze the meat for 30 to 60 minutes before slicing if using a jerky cutting board to make the meat easier to slice. For other slicing tips, check out our detailed guide on How to Slice Meat for Jerky.
One of the advantages of a jerky slicing board when compared to more automated solutions is the slicing board offers the flexibility to slice with the grain and against the grain.
It’s always a good idea to use Cut Resistant Stainless Steel Wire Metal Butcher Gloves when working with sharp knives. These will prevent any injury to your hand in case of slippage.
Our Recommendation: Stainless Steel Jerky Maker Cutting Board
A Stainless Steel Jerky Maker Cutting Board is made with quality materials that balances durability with ease of cleaning. The stainless steel and plastic parts are dishwasher safe for hassle-free maintenance.
The range of thicknesses sets this jerky board apart from the competition. It comes with spacer inserts that make it easy to slice meat from 1/8" to 1/4" and 3/8" to 3/4”.
The online reviews confirm that the knife supplied in the kit comes sharp and cuts through the meat with ease — a common complaint of other kits.
Slice Type:
- Versatile: strips, slabs, large pieces, small pieces
Pros:
- Minimal set-up
- Easy to clean
- Cuts with the grain and against the grain
- Range in thicknesses
- No potential for mechanical failure
Cons:
- Manual
- Time intensive
- Not suited for large batch production
Dimensions
- 10” fine-edge knife
Usage
- Less than 5 LBs of meat
Thickness of Jerky
- Variable sizes from ⅛” to ¾”
Buy from Amazon: Non-Branded Stainless Steel Jerky Maker Cutting Board
For larger volumes and more efficiency…
Manual crank jerky slicers are perfect for slicing 5 or more pounds of meat at a time. The output and speed are much greater than the jerky cutting board.
Pieces of meat (up to 5 inches wide and 1.25 inches thick) are run through steel blades using a hand crank. The manual crank slicers typically produce up to 15 pieces at once. The thickness of the slice ranges from 3/16” to 3/8”.
Speed and the output are the name of the game.
Some potential drawbacks to a manual crank slicer include the limitation in versatility of slice thickness due to the overall dimensions of this model. The distance between the blades in a manual slicer are not adjustable so you’re limited to one thickness. They also take more time to disassemble and clean properly. When slicing large batches of jerky, however, you’ll save in the long run as the slicing speed compensates for the longer clean-up.
Our Recommendation: Weston Manual Single-Support Jerky Slicer
The Manual Crank Jerky Slicer from Weston contains 32 stainless steel blades that cut up to fifteen slices at once. The slicer comes with stainless steel combs that prevent meat from jamming. The slice thickness is 3/16.”
Made with a durable, cast-aluminum construction, this is a jerky slicer that’s made to last. This model is easy to mount to a table or countertop up to 2 inches thick. The 2 piece housing disassembles fairly easily, making clean-up easier than some of the more cumbersome competitors.
Slice Type:
- Not Versatile: long thin strips
Pros:
- Efficient output
- No potential for mechanical failure
- Consistency in thickness
Cons:
- Limited range of thicknesses
- Require more time for disassembly and clean-up
- Demand physical effort
Dimensions
- 6”L x 13”W x 17.75”H
Usage
- 5 - 25 LBS of Meat
Thickness of Jerky
- Single size, typically around 3/16”
Buy from Amazon: Weston Manual Single-Support Jerky Slicer
For perfect slices at a fast rate…
Motorized slicers, also known as deli slicers, are perfect for producing uniform slices at a fast rate. The precision thickness control allows for perfectly-even slices. A deli slicer will also allow you to achieve the thinnest cut possible out of all the jerky slicer types.
Pieces of meat (up to ¾ inch thick) are run through a rotating, steel blade. These smaller motorized slicers allow you to control exactly how thick you would like each piece using a convenient knob with adjustable settings.
The process of slicing is hands-on and requires manual labor to add the meat and rotate the machine back and forth. Clean-up time can be tedious as well with the disassembly and wash-down of the machine.
But for those looking for perfection in the thickness of the slices, a deli slicer is the best option.
Our Recommendation: Chef's Choice Electric Meat Slicer
The Chef's Choice 615A Electric Meat Slicer contains a 7-inch stainless steel blade that accepts meat ranging from deli thin to ¾ inch thick. It even comes with an adjustable thickness dial so that you have complete control. The heavy duty blade is easy to remove for an easy cleaning process.
The machine itself is made out of stainless steel and aluminum for ultimate durability. If you’re looking for an efficient, hands-on model, this is a great option.
Slice Type:
- Semi-Versatile: large pieces (can be cut down into strips)
Pros:
- Efficient output
- Minimal set-up
- Range in thicknesses
- Thinnest slices
Cons:
- Hands-on
- Tedious cleaning process
- Expensive
Dimensions
- 15.5”L x 10.4”W x 11”H
Usage
- 5-50 lbs
Thickness of Jerky
- Variable size, 1/16” to 3/4" inch thick
Shop: Chef's Choice 615 Electric Meat Slicer
For larger volumes with less manual labor and even faster output…
An electric slicer takes the mechanics of a manual crank slicer and adds a motor for faster and automatic slicing of even the toughest meats. The output and speed are the fastest out of the jerky slicers, but that efficiency comes at a premium.
Bulk meat (up to 4.5 inches wide and 1.25 inches thick) can be run through steel blades that rotate with the built-in motor. Most motorized slicers produce around 14 pieces at once.
The distance between the blades in an automatic jerky slicer are not adjustable so you’re limited to one thickness. They also take more time to disassemble and clean properly.
When slicing large batches of jerky, however, you’ll save in the long run as the slicing speed compensates for the longer clean-up.
Our Recommendation: Big Bite Electric 2 in 1 Meat Tenderizer
The Big Bite Electric 2 in 1 Tenderizer features a self lubricating motor that cuts up to 15 slices at once. It allows you to process large quantities of meat at a fast pace. It also requires minimal effort.
This unit is easy to disassemble and easy to clean. And, the tenderizer attachment allows you to easily tenderize even the toughest cuts of meat as well! It’s a total win-win.
Slice Type:
- Not Versatile: long thin strips
Pros:
- Highest efficiency and output
- Suitable for large batch production
- No manual effort
Cons:
- Slightly more complicated assemblage
- Longer cleaning time
- Potential for mechanical failure
- Expensive
Dimensions
- 13”L x 12”W x 8”H
Usage
- 5-50 lbs
Thickness of Jerky
- Single thickness, 3/16”
Buy from Amazon: Big Bite Electric 2 in 1 Tenderizer
For the traditionalists…
Slicing meat for jerky by hand is still a viable option for those looking to do things the old-school way.
The secret is a sharp knife and lots of practice. Check out our detailed guide on How to Slice Meat for Jerky.
Slicing meat for jerky by hand offers the greatest versatility in cutting style and thickness. You can cut with the grain or against the grain. You can also cut the meat to any thickness.
If you have time, energy, and patience, slicing by hand is always a great option. It’s also a great way to get started to learn how to work with a piece of meat. You can always upgrade to one of the options on this list when you start slicing larger batches.
Our Recommendation: Victorinox Fibrox Pro, 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
The Victorniox brand has been a favorite of home chefs and professionals for over a century.
This specific knife has been expertly crafted with a tapered steel edge that cuts with ease and efficiency. Each knife has an ergonomic handle made from thermoplastic for a non-slip grip.
This is the knife brand that we use in our beef jerky manufacturing plant and is one of the best ones you can find on the market today, perfect for even the toughest cuts of meat.
Slice Type:
- Very Versatile: you can slice to any spec required
Pros:
- Complete control over thickness
- Cuts with the grain and against the grain
- Ability to work with irregular shaped pieces of meat
- No potential for mechanical failure
- Easy cleanup
Cons:
- Speed
- Output
- Skill Required
Dimensions
- 8 inches
Buy from Amazon: Victorinox Fibrox Pro, 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
Bottom Line
A jerky meat slicer is an easy way to elevate making homemade jerky. It is an efficient way to process larger quantities at a higher level of consistency. Consistent thickness is the secret to quality homemade beef jerky and it’s the standard for any jerky slicer.
For more tips and guides like this, check out our Homemade Jerky Project which offers tips, tricks, and detailed guides to make the best beef jerky possible.
Looking for the best dehydrator to use in your home kitchen? Check out our guide for the best dehydrator here.
Also, don’t forget to check out our custom blends of beef jerky seasoning. (Coming Soon! Sign-Up For Early Access). We conducted hundreds of batches to find the perfect all-in-one jerky seasonings.
