In a world full of fad diets and nutritional theories, the carnivore diet has become known as a powerful and ancestrally-aligned way to get healthy and stay healthy. This minimalist diet revolves around a simple concept–eat only animal products. Although there are many healthy animal-based foods, beef jerky has gotten a lot of attention as an easy whole-food snack that can fit with a carnivore lifestyle.
This article talks about the world of carnivore beef jerky and other dried meats that are similar to jerky. It talks about the health benefits, do-it-yourself recipes, and the best store-bought brands to choose from.
The carnivore diet has been gaining popularity as a way to improve health, lose weight, and simplify nutrition At its core, the carnivore diet involves eating mostly meat, fish, eggs, and other animal foods But what about beef jerky? Is this tasty, portable snack allowed on the carnivore diet?
What is Beef Jerky?
Beef jerky is lean meat that has been trimmed of fat, sliced into strips, and then dried or smoked to preserve it. The drying process removes moisture from the meat, which makes it shelf-stable so it can be easily packed for travel without refrigeration.
Traditional beef jerky preparation uses salt and spices to flavor and cure the meat. The spices add taste, while the salt draws moisture out of the meat to aid in preservation. Some versions also contain added sugar or soy sauce for enhanced flavor.
Nutrition Profile of Beef Jerky
Since it starts from lean cuts of beef, most jerky is high in protein. A 1 ounce serving provides around 9 grams of protein on average. The protein comes along with vitamins like niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
The fat and calorie content of jerky can vary based on the cut of meat used and preparation method. Choosing a leaner cut like eye of round or flank steak results in a lower fat jerky. On average, an ounce of beef jerky contains about 7 grams of fat and 80 calories.
Carbohydrates in beef jerky are minimal, at around 1-3 grams per ounce. This comes from the natural glycogen stores in the meat. Many brands add sugar during processing which increases the carb content. Checking labels for added sugars is important for carnivore diet followers.
Is Beef Jerky Allowed on the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet emphasizes animal foods and eliminates most plant foods, including vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. Some variations allow small amounts of seasonings, spices, coffee, and dairy.
Since it is made entirely from beef, beef jerky fits into the carnivore diet when following the more flexible versions. Options without additional seasonings or flavorings will meet the requirements for stricter interpretations.
Choosing beef jerky made without added sugars or questionable ingredients ensures it aligns with carnivore guidelines. Some brands use preservatives and binders that may not be carnivore compliant. Checking the ingredient list is key.
Choosing Quality Beef Jerky on Carnivore
Not all beef jerky at the store aligns well with the carnivore principles. Here are some tips for picking the best options:
-
Select jerky made from whole, single ingredient beef without preservatives or additives. This includes no soy sauce, sugars, or other flavorings.
-
Look for minimally processed options without artificial curing methods Some use celery powder or juices instead of chemical nitrates for curing
-
Choose jerky made from fattier cuts like ribeye, brisket, or chuck for more fat. Lean cuts can lead to overly dry jerky.
-
Avoid jerky made from ground beef or meat slurries which are more processed. Whole muscle jerky has better texture.
-
Consider making your own jerky at home from quality beef cuts. This gives full control over ingredients.
Best Cuts of Meat for Beef Jerky
When selecting meat for jerky, the right cut is essential for getting perfect chewy and flavorful results. These are excellent meat choices:
-
Flank or Skirt Steak: Very lean red meats that produce a jerky with great bite. Needs extra fat added.
-
Brisket: A well-marbled cut from the breast that makes tender, juicy jerky.
-
Round: Top round, bottom round, and eye of round are lean but become very chewy when made into jerky.
-
Sirloin Tip: Also called the knuckle, it has a nice mix of fat and tenderness for jerky.
-
Chuck Roast: Shoulder meat that helps jerky stay moist without excessive drying.
Tips for Preparing Beef Jerky
Achieving the ideal texture and flavor takes proper preparation and seasoning techniques:
-
Partially freeze meat before slicing to make cutting easier and more consistent. Slice across the grain for chewier jerky.
-
Trim any thick fat deposits before slicing to avoid overly greasy spots. Leave some fat intact to keep it moist.
-
Cut meat into long, thin strips that are around 1/4 inch thick for the best results. Thicker strips take longer to dry.
-
Use a dry rub seasoning method by coating strips in desired spices and herbs before dehydrating.
-
For flavorful results, marinate strips in soy sauce, Worcestershire, hot sauce, or liquid smoke before drying.
-
Dry jerky slowly at 130-170°F to enhance tenderness and prevent case hardening. Commercial dehydrators work best.
Is Store Bought Jerky a Healthy Carnivore Option?
While homemade jerky aligns perfectly with carnivore guidelines, some store-bought options work as well. When shopping, read labels and look for:
-
Jerky made only with beef and spices, without extra flavorings or preservatives
-
No added sugars in the ingredients
-
Low carb options, with around 1-3 grams net carbs per serving
-
Higher fat choices to provide energy and stay satisfying
-
Minimal processing and no artificial curing agents
-
Grass-fed or pasture-raised beef for higher quality
Choosing compliant jerky takes a bit more effort but provides a convenient protein-packed snack for carnivore dieters on the go. Following the diet’s principles ensures healthy results.
The Bottom Line
Beef jerky can fit into a carnivore diet when care is taken to select proper ingredients and preparation methods. Choosing options made from whole beef without sugary flavorings provides a tasty and nutritious snack that supplies protein while sticking to the carnivore guidelines. With so many brands available, take time to read labels and pick compliant options to enjoy jerky’s unique texture and flavors as part of your carnivore lifestyle.
Homemade Carnivore Diet Beef Jerky Recipe
This carnivore diet beef jerky recipe was developed by Ribeye Rach after she couldn’t find any true carnivore diet beef jerky that was free from marinades and spices.
Rachel went to carnivore to get better from a long list of painful conditions, such as dysautonomia, ehlers-danlos syndrome, chiari malformation, craniocervical instability, tethered cord syndrome, intracranial hypertension, gastroparesis, adrenal insufficiency, chronic lyme disease, and more.
This is one of the recipes that got her healthy and back on her feet. And it’s made with only beef and salt.
- 1-2lbs of ribeye steak or pre-cut beef stir fry strips
- Redmond’s Real Salt
- Dehydrator
Going with ribeye steak means you can select the highest quality meat. You can also buy good stir fry strips that are already cut to the right size for jerky. This will save you a lot of time. Look for top round or sirloin strips.
You can also ask your butcher to cut a roast into jerky-sized strips. The uniformity will ensure a standard time and even doneness.
For complete and free directions, click here
Can You Eat Beef Jerky on the Carnivore Diet?
On the carnivore diet, you can eat beef jerky and other dried meats as long as they are made without vinegar, soy sauce, sugars, oils, or spices other than salt.
Finding store-bought varieties of carnivore diet beef jerky that are can be tricky.
This is why we offer a few dried-meat jerky alternatives that are fantastic on the carnivore diet. As well as a complete carnivore diet beef jerky and biltong recipes below.
As far as carnivore dried meat snacks are concerned, Carnivore Snax takes the crown.
These meat chips are made by true carnivore diet enthusiasts. The podcast host Joe Rogan even said nice things about them: “It’s my favorite snack! You guys have really got the process nailed.” The result is better than anyone else is achieving. ”.
The key to the crispy “meat chip” texture is a proprietary process that you can’t replicate at home.
They’re also made without any additives–just meat and salt. That means no seasonings, sugar, or marinades.
All Carnivore Snax meat options are sourced from ranchers using regenerative agricultural practices. This means they are kind to their animals and move their stock around to keep the land healthy and even store carbon. This makes for healthier, more nutritious animals, healthier land, and happier humans.
We love that their approach is mission-driven. They oppose the unfounded vilification of meat by making an extremely nutritious and environmentally beneficial meat product.
Beef liver crisps from the Carnivore Aurelius aren’t as tasty as Carnivore Snax, but they are more nutrient-dense.
Beef liver is one of the healthiest foods on earth. And bringing beef liver crisps with you is pretty much the same thing as taking a natural multivitamin that works much better.
A single serving of beef liver crisps provides:
- 180% of Vitamin A (retinol)
- 540% of Vitamin B12
- 260% of copper
- 90% of Riboflavin
- 40% of folate
- 30% of selenium
There is something extra crunchy about beef liver crisps that you don’t get from tortilla and potato chips if you are a meat eater.
Carnivore Aurelius, who is well among his more than 700,000 Instagram followers, claims, “There isn’t a food on earth with greater potential to transform the way you look, feel, and perform than grass-fed beef liver.”
When considering the nutrient density of beef liver, we can’t disagree.
Biltong is basically the South African version of beef jerky. It’s almost always more fatty than beef jerky, making it more suited for the high-fat low-carb carnivore diet.
Bilton is air-dried, whereas most beef jerky is smoked. This gives it a milder flavor. However, biltong is almost always marinated with vinegar, making it more of a zero-carb carnivore-adjacent snack.
The “purest” store-bought biltong we’ve found is Brooklyn Biltong’s Naked Meat Flavor. It is made with only four simple ingredients including grass-fed beef, apple cider vinegar, and salt.
Carnivore Diet and Beef Jerky: The Ultimate Weight Loss and Appetite Hack
FAQ
Is beef jerky a carnivore diet?
Does beef jerky break ketosis?
Can you eat pepperoni sticks on carnivore diet?
Is beef jerky good for a carnivore diet?
Beef jerky is the ultimate nutritious and protein-packed snack for carnivore diet followers. This particular recipe takes flavorful flank steak and transforms it into tasty, addictive jerky that will satisfy any meat cravings.
Can you consider beef jerky a healthy snack?
No, as this is high in salt and other preservatives to main both its structure, taste and longevity. As a processed meat, beef jerky is also higher in saturated fat. All the salt, preservatives and saturated fat can be harmful to primarily your heart health. It is best to swap this out for some chicken breasts that have been cubed or homemade turkey balls.
How do you make beef jerky on a carnivore diet?
Follow my easy carnivore diet beef jerky recipe: Start by preheating the oven to 225°F (110°C) and lining two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Unfold the steak (it should be partially frozen for easy cutting). Place it on a cutting board, and cut it crosswise (against the grain) into 2-inch wide strips.
Does jerky fit into a low carb diet?
It fits into paleo, low carb (keto), and Whole30 diets. Dried jerkies make for the perfect high protein snack for these diets. Beef jerky is the ultimate carnivore snack – it’s loaded with protein, has zero carbs, adds variety to the diet, and provides a quick meaty snack when you don’t have other options.