The 10 Best Vegan Jerkies
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in June of 2018. Just because you've given up meat doesn't mean you need to change the types of snacks you reach for throughout the day. If you're a fan of the protein-packed, savory, chewy stuff, you may love our selection of vegan jerkies. We've included a wide range of flavors, with options made from soy, coconut, and more, that are made to mimic the taste and texture of the kinds carnivores eat. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Giorgio Savory Wild Sesame Ginger & Korean Chili
2. Newport Jerky Company Unisoy
3. Butler Foods Sam's Harvest #19 Original
Editor's Notes
May 11, 2020:
When selecting our vegan jerkies, we understood that it was important that each pick has a taste and consistency that nearly replicate those of real meat, and that they were nutritious and ethical options, as those who don't eat animal products tend to do so for health reasons, or moral ones.
As far as mindful practices go, we like that Cocoburg Coconut Sampler uses upcycled young coconut water waste and that the maker of Louisville 5 Flavor Variety uses locally sourced ingredients when possible. We had to remove Stonewall Jerquee as, upon further inspection, it contains honey, which is not vegan, and true avoiders of animal products cannot eat the stuff.
We wanted a good range of flavors, since the world of real meat jerky has so many, and vegans shouldn't miss out. Primal Spirit Sampler Pack got a spot on the list thanks to its six different recipes. Pleather Bourbon BBQ also made it on the list as the creators took care to make it taste very much like real meat jerky, with its ingredients of whiskey and molasses.
That authentic, chewy texture is important, too, because when this type of jerky gets too crumbly, it can seem more like vegan dog food than a human snack - which is fine when you're feeding Fido, but not yourself. Pleather Bourbon BBQ earned double points thanks to its meat-like toughness, while Mighty Bee Teriyaki had to go because it had a texture that was just too soft. Unfortunately, iGreen+ Go Slim Soy Steak also lots its place due to a plastic-like texture.
Having several protein bases was important, since consumers may have different dietary restrictions. On that note, we have Butler Foods Sam's Harvest #19 Original, which is made of soybeans, Pleather Bourbon BBQ with its seitan strips, and Vegan Dream Original Hickory, which is made of wheat protein. Krave Korean BBQ is made with fava beans and peas.
Special Honors
Mitch's Vegan Jerky 3 Pack Mitch's Vegan Jerky 3 Pack has a smokey BBQ, teriyaki, and cracked pepper flavor, each of which gets its protein from organic tofu. Each recipe contains between 15 and 20 grams of protein per pouch and is non-GMO and gluten-free. It has an authentic chewy texture that makes it a good choice for those transitioning from being meat eaters to being vegan. etsy.com
Bulk Beef Jerky Vegan Jerky Bulk Beef Jerky Vegan Jerky is made by a company that also offers meat-based varieties, so they know how to make the meatless option taste authentic. This soybean-based snack is available in a spicy wasabi recipe, Thai sweet & hot option, or the original, which has notes of ginger, soy sauce, and chili powder. It's tender while still chewy, and comes in a seven-ounce package. bulkbeefjerky.com
4. Vegan Dream Original Hickory
5. Pleather Bourbon BBQ
6. Primal Spirit Sampler Pack
7. Krave Korean BBQ
8. Louisville 5 Flavor Variety
9. Cocoburg Coconut Sampler
10. Noble Jerky Sweet BBQ
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.