Our ancestors preserved meat for apparent causes—meals was scarce, winters had been lengthy, and touring required moveable meals that was compact and long-lasting. For these causes, jerky was a staple lengthy earlier than paleo dieters made it the snack development it’s immediately. Nevertheless, immediately, 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 modify to plant-based jerky.
What’s plant-based jerky?
First eaten by historical civilizations, jerky refers to skinny, light-weight strips of dried, salted meat. Often made with beef, it’s nonetheless a preferred snack immediately. 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 listing beneath, immediately a variety of plant-based manufacturers are utilizing elements like mushrooms, fruits, and soy to make jerky merchandise. As a result of, whereas customers would possibly consider animals as the one “meaty” choice for jerky-making, the terrestrial and marine plant kingdoms supply rather more selection, taste, and textures as a result of, in fact, something animal-based meals can do, vegetation can do higher.
For the vegan jerky class, the proof is within the chew. With this in thoughts, we’re highlighting 14 revolutionary vegan jerkies that we imagine might doubtlessly upend conventional animal-based jerky gross sales.
Vegan jerky manufacturers
Decide up considered one of these vegan jerkies the following time starvation strikes.
It’s Jerky Y’all
1 It’s Jerky Y’all
Impressed by native Texan flavors and elements, this jerky is made utilizing natural soybeans and in addition options chipotle peppers and the area’s well-known cactus pears. Flavors embody Black Pepper & Sea Salt, Prickly Pear Teriyaki, and Prickly Pear Chipotle. One of the best half? Parts from every bag offered profit Rowdy Woman Sanctuary, a cattle ranch turned vegan farm animal sanctuary.
FIND IT HERE
The Herbivorous Butcher
2 The Herbivorous Butcher
The Herbivorous Butcher’s chewy and flavorful jerky is seitan-based and is available in 4 flavors: Teriyaki Jerky, Sizzlin’ Cajun Jerky, Salt ‘n Peppa Jerky, 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 individuals could not like that ours is a extra reasonable texture, however totally different strokes for various of us.”
FIND IT HERE
Noble Jerky
3 Noble Jerky
Connoisseur-crafted, Noble Jerky is made utilizing soy protein leading to a chewy, smoky style that’s excessive in protein. Vegans and omnivores alike are positive to benefit from the genuine style of the road’s Candy BBQ, Chipotle, Teriyaki, Sticky Hickory, and Unique flavors.
FIND IT HERE
@seitanmademedoit/Instagram
4
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 in a number of totally different flavors, together with French truffle, teriyaki, and vegan bacon.
FIND IT HERE
Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.
5 Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.
With flavors comparable to Maple Bacon, Carolina BBQ, and Smoked Black Pepper, this non-GMO textured soy protein-based jerky is all chew and filled with taste.
FIND IT HERE
@veggyjane/Instagram
6
Primal Spirit Meals Primal Strips
These individually-wrapped jerkies are comprised of soy, seitan, and shiitake mushrooms. Flavors comparable to Thai peanut and Texas BBQ make for an ideal moveable snack for touring, climbing, or protecting in your bag for snack emergencies.
FIND IT HERE
Pan’s Mushroom Jerky/Instagram
7
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 embody Unique, Zesty Thai, Applewood BBQ, Salt & Pepper, Teriyaki, and Curry. Replenish on your subsequent highway journey!
FIND IT HERE
@ldbeme/Instagram
8
Stonewall’s Jerquee
Don’t let the flamboyant spelling idiot you! These single-serve “jerquees” are equal elements meaty, chewy, and savory.
FIND IT HERE
Moku Meals
9Moku Meals Plant-Based mostly Jerky
Crafted by world-renowned cooks, Moku Meals’ plant-based jerkies are nothing in need of scrumptious. Made in 5 signature flavors (Unique, Hawaiian Teriyaki, and Candy & Spicy, Lemon Pepper, and Korean BBQ), this meatless jerky owes its meaty chew to mushrooms. Plus, 1% of each buy is donated to a nonprofit of your alternative.
FIND IT HERE
@tweedykat/Instagram
10BeLeaf 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.
FIND IT HERE
Past Meat
11 Past Meat Jerky
The masterminds behind the world-famous Past Burger are actually whipping up vegan jerky. Created from peas and mung bean protein, flavors embody Unique, Scorching & Spicy, and Teriyaki.
FIND IT HERE
Eat the Change
12Eat the Change Mushroom Jerky
Co-founded by Prime Chef alumn Spike Mendelsohn, Eat the Change creates chewy vegan jerky utilizing mushrooms sustainably sourced from a Pennsylvania-based household farm. Bruised and outsized mushroom stems—which wouldn’t usually make it to grocery retailer cabinets—are marinated in a spice mix and smoked for a plant-based jerky you’ll need many times.
FIND IT HERE
@talkingdoll/Instagram
13UniSoy 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, Scorching ‘n Spicy, Teriyaki, Carne Asada, Pineapple Habanero, or Smoky Chipotle, every bag packs a punch of taste.
FIND IT HERE
Nation Archer Provisions
14Nation Archer Provisions Plant-Based mostly 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 basic snack.
Study morE
For extra vegan snacks, learn:
Right here at VegNews, we stay and breathe the vegan way of life, and solely suggest merchandise we really feel make our lives superb. Sometimes, articles could embody procuring hyperlinks the place we’d earn a small fee. By no means does this impact the editorial integrity of VegNews.
