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 trade that’s unhealthy for our well being, the planet, and animals. Right here’s why it’s time to change to plant-based jerky, which, it seems, is simply as satisfying and scrumptious because the animal model.
What’s plant-based jerky?
First eaten by historical civilizations, jerky refers to skinny, light-weight strips of dried, salted meat. Normally made with beef, it’s nonetheless a well-liked snack immediately. Actually, the jerky trade 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, immediately various plant-based manufacturers are utilizing elements 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 rather 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 18 modern vegan jerkies that we consider may doubtlessly upend conventional animal-based jerky gross sales.
Vegan jerky manufacturers
Choose up considered one of 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 elements, this jerky is made utilizing natural soybeans and likewise options chipotle peppers and the area’s well-known cactus pears. Flavors embody Black Pepper & Sea Salt, Prickly Pear Teriyaki, and Prickly Pear Chipotle. The most effective half? Parts from every bag bought profit Rowdy Lady Sanctuary, a cattle ranch turned vegan farm animal sanctuary.
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The Herbivorous Butcher
2 The Herbivorous Butcher
The Herbivorous Butcher’s chewy and flavorful jerky is seitan-based and is available in three flavors: Teriyaki Jerky, Sizzlin’ Cajun Jerky, and Salt ‘n Peppa Jerky. “Frankly,” Kale Walch, The Herbivorous Butcher co-founder says, “I feel ours is extra flavorful and the feel is spot on. Some folks could not like that ours is a extra lifelike texture, however completely different strokes for various people.”
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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, Hickory, and Unique flavors.
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@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 (just like candy potato), wheat, or soy. All varieties are available a number of completely different flavors, together with spicy, teriyaki, and vegan bacon.
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Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.
5 Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.
With flavors similar to Maple Bacon, Smokey Carolina BBQ, and the limited-edition, small-batch Jamaican Jerk, this non-GMO textured soy protein-based jerky is all chew and filled with taste.
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@veggyjane/Instagram
6
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 moveable snack for touring, mountain climbing, or holding in your bag for snack emergencies.
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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. Fill up to your subsequent highway journey!
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@ldbeme/Instagram
8
Stonewall’s Jerquee
Don’t let the flowery spelling idiot you! These single-serve “jerquees” are equal elements meaty, chewy, and savory.
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@therecordexchange/Instagram
9Foreal Meals Coconut Jerky
Coconut doesn’t simply lend itself to exploit, water, ice cream, and cheese, because it’s a pure jerky, too. To make the transformation, younger coconut meat is marinated and dehydrated for an addictively wholesome jerky.
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Moku Meals
10Moku Meals Plant-Based mostly Jerky
Crafted by world-renowned cooks, Moku Meals’ plant-based jerkies are nothing wanting scrumptious. Made in three signature flavors (Unique, Hawaiian Teriyaki, and Candy & Spicy), this meatless jerky owes its meaty chunk to mushrooms. Plus, 1% of each buy is donated to a nonprofit of your alternative.
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@tweedykat/Instagram
11BeLeaf 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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Past Meat
12 Past Meat Jerky
The masterminds behind the world-famous Past Burger are actually whipping up vegan jerky. Made out of peas and mung bean protein, flavors embody Unique, Sizzling & Spicy, and Teriyaki.
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Eat the Change
13Eat 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.
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@talkingdoll/Instagram
14UniSoy Vegan Jerky
With a whopping six flavors, there’s a UniSoy Vegan Jerky to fulfill each craving. Whether or not you go for Cracked Pepper, Sizzling ‘n Spicy, Teriyaki, Carne Asada, Habanero, or Smoky Chipotle, every bag packs a punch of taste.
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Nation Archer Provisions
15Nation Archer Provisions Plant-Based mostly Jerky
Between BBQ, Teriyaki, and Spiced Bacon flavors, this vegan-friendly model delivers in relation to plant-based jerky. King oyster mushrooms lend their tender texture to this traditional snack.
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For extra vegan snacks, learn:
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