Beef jerky is expensive because of raw beef costs, high-quality ingredients, non-automated processing, required time & energy, and the dehydration process.
Beef jerky is one of the most delicious snacks out there, but it can also be one of the most expensive. This article explains each of the above reasons in-depth and gives you an inside look at what sets our jerky apart from the more mass production jerky manufacturers.
1. Raw Beef Cost
Beef is an inherently expensive commodity. No way around it. A significant amount of time and energy goes into delivering wholesome beef to a consumer market. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure the quality of our incoming meat so we understand their challenges.
Beef is a luxury, and at People's Choice Beef Jerky, we treat it that way. Every batch is carefully crafted and nothing is wasted. The level of craftsmanship that goes into every batch is our way of showing respect. Our goal is to celebrate the simplicity and authenticity of real beef jerky.
Some industry producers, to cut costs, will import beef from other countries. These producers will label their products with the claims "Manufactured in the USA" or "Packaged in the USA" to hoodwink consumers into believing the jerky is made from start to finish in the United States, when in reality, the jerky is made elsewhere and imported for the final packaging step. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this practice, we believe in sourcing 100% USA beef exclusively. We can better manage the quality of our raw ingredients and make sure that all beef that we use is fresh and never frozen.
At People’s Choice Beef Jerky, we source our beef from two domestic locations. Our Classic Line is made with beef sourced locally here in California. Our Tasting Kitchen, Old Fashioned, and Carne Seca Line are made with 100% Angus Beef from Nebraska.
Another reason that beef jerky is expensive relates to the leanness of the raw beef. To prevent spoilage, beef jerky must have a low fat content as fat can go rancid with time. Most beef jerky products are between 94 to 97% fat free. Rather than trimming fat from the beef during the slicing step, it is more effective to start with a lean cut of beef.
For other meat products—such as hamburgers, sausage, and deli meats—producers can add in fat to increase flavor and reduce the overall cost, but for beef jerky, and especially high quality beef jerky, lean cuts lead to a higher quality product, but also a more expensive product.
Summary
Beef is an expensive raw good, and it's even more costly when sourcing 100% USA beef exclusively as we do at People's Choice Beef Jerky. Beef jerky also requires lean cuts of meat due to the fats potentiality going rancid. This increases the overall price as the leaner the cut of meat, the more expensive it costs.
2. High Quality Ingredients
The second factor driving the cost of beef jerky is indirectly related to the first factor. The quality of the raw ingredients—meat, spices, marinades, and other inputs—directly affect the quality of the end product. We've learned that better quality raw ingredients translate into a better quality end jerky product. For example, spices sourced from top quality spice producers make more flavorful, nuanced end products. You can cut corners and work with lesser quality vendors, but this can result in less flavorful spices. Never a good thing. Freshness also plays an important role. We look for bright, flavorful spice blends that let our jerky recipes sing. In the end, solid ingredients create the best beef jerky, but these ingredients do come at a premium and contribute to the overall price.
It is worth mentioning that there is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to raw ingredients used. For example, jerky made out of Filet Mignon or Prime Rib is an interesting idea in theory, but there are probably more appropriate preparations for these premium cuts. Similarly, while white truffle jerky does sound delicious and luxurious, this rare ingredient is probably best left to your special occasion risotto dinner. It’s important to remember beef jerky’s utilitarian roots as a convenient, flavorful, nutritious snack for on-the-go usages.
Summary
High-quality beef jerky recipes require high-quality ingredients. The higher the quality of the ingredients, the higher the price.
3. Non-Automated Processing
There are certain steps in the beef jerky making process that are uniquely labor-intensive. While food technology and automatic machinery can optimize specific steps of the jerky making process (for example, an automatic slicer is more efficient and exact than hand-slicing), there are certain steps that require the human touch. One such step is the process of laying the marinated jerky onto stainless steel screens.
At People’s Choice Beef Jerky, we have purposely retained the handmade element in each step of our process. It is our way of preserving tradition, remembering our history, and ensuring the highest quality product. Simply put, things are done better by hand.
Summary
Certain aspects of beef jerky production require manual labor and therefore increases overall product costs.
4. Time & Energy
The dehydration and cooking process is a time consuming procedure.
To hit the critical control points of time and temperature to ensure a safe and wholesome product, a batch of jerky has to be cooked for an extended period of time. This process can range from two to six hours depending on the thickness of the meat and temperature of the oven.
The longer amount of time required to cook the jerky, the more expensive the end product.
Summary
Beef jerky requires extended cooking times to ensure a properly dehydrated end jerky product. The longer the cooking time, the more expensive the jerky.
5. Result of the Dehydration Process
The most critical factor driving the high cost of beef jerky is the result of the dehydration and cooking process. Raw beef is composed of nearly 75% water, the majority of which evaporates during the cooking process. The process of removing moisture is the critical factor in transforming raw meat into a shelf-stable, ready-to-eat jerky snack. Hence, the name dried meat.
In other words, it can take between 3-4 pounds of raw meat to get 1 pound of finished jerky. From an expense perspective, this process can multiply the overall cost by a minimum of 3x…and that’s before adding in all the other expenses. This is the reason many producers will pack their jerky products full of additives and artificial ingredients — to get some weight back and drive their cost down.
This fact reinforces the importance of checking the ingredient statements on your favorite jerky. Some producers will pack their recipe with artificial ingredients, additives, and sugar.
We do things a little differently. First, we offer a full collection of products that are completely free of any sugar.
We crafted these products with our Ketogencic Diet and Atkins Diet friends in mind. These are a great solution for low-carb, sugar-free, high protein diets.
Secondly, for our products that do have sugar, we use it sparingly. We utilize sugar to complement the larger flavor profile. For example, the Tasting Kitchen Orange Honey Teriyaki features subtle hints of orange flavor and cane sugar to round out the smoky and savory nature of the Teriyaki sauce.
Our goal with our jerky is to celebrate the natural richness in the meat. Ingredients should be used as a way to enhance that flavor, not mask it.
Summary
Raw beef is composed of nearly 75% water, the majority of which evaporates during the dehydration process. Therefore, this process multiplies overall costs by a minimum of 3x, making the final product more expensive.
Bottom Line
Beef jerky is is expensive for five key reasons: raw beef costs, high-quality ingredients, non-automated processing, required time & energy, and the dehydration process.
Even though we have the best beef jerky on the market (we may be a little biased), it's still a bit pricey, especially when compared to other salty snacks. For beef jerky aficionados that wolf down a bag in minutes, beef jerky can be a really costly habit. It's worth it, we promise.
We pride ourselves on offering the highest quality jerky at the lowest possible price. We don’t claim to be the cheapest jerky on the market, but pound for pound, dollar for dollar, you’ll have a difficult time finding a better value jerky.
But don't let me just tell you. Pick up a bag today and get to sampling. Our range of Jerky Boxes are a great way to sample our variety of jerky flavors!
Don't Hesitate
Hands down best jerky on the planet and wonderful customer service.
-Joseph M.
