The cost of beef jerky is largely due to the high price of ingredients and the preparation method. The ingredients used in beef jerky are expensive, and the process of making it can be too. To make sure that your beef jerky is worth the price, keep these factors in mind:
- The quality of the ingredients: Beef jerky is made with a variety of expensive and difficult-to-find ingredients. These include spices, salt, and other flavors. If you’re looking for a high-quality snack, you’ll want to look for something that uses lower-quality ingredients.
- The time it takes to make it: Beef jerky takes a long time to make. This means that you’ll need to spend some time cooking it before eating it. If you’re looking for a quick snack, this won’t be an issue, but if you’re looking for something that will last long term, you’ll want to look for something with a faster preparation process.
What Is Beef Jerky?
Beef jerky is a type of jerky that is made from meat that has been trimmed, dehydrated, and cut into strips. The name, in Quechua, literally means “salted, dried meat”. Although it might sound simple to prepare, beef jerky is commonly expensive.
Today, there are many types of beef jerky that include seasoning, marinara, and even brown sugar. The advantage of beef jerky is that it is always ready to eat (with no need for extra preparations), so these modern variations allow customers to enjoy a more customized flavor.
Many people love carrying beef jerky with them when they travel or make any sports outdoors because it is so easy to eat. Beef jerky does not need refrigeration either, which is why it is so popular.
Price Comparison
There are two types of beef jerky: high-end and low-end. The high-end jerky costs more than the low-end jerky, but in the long run, it’s cheaper to buy the lower-priced jerky. ..
Some of the most famous beef jerky brands are:
- Krave Jerky
- Rocky Mountain Jerky
- Teriyaki Boy Jerky
- Wicked Good Jerky ..
Jack Links’s – An 8-pack of original beef jerky (where the unit size is 3.25 oz) costs $36.99. Cattleman’s Cut – A 10 oz pack of original beef jerky costs approximately $17. Tillamook Country Smoker – A 6.5 oz pack of zero-sugar beef jerky costs $12.99. Hardtimes Real Beef Jerky – An 8 oz jar of original beef jerky costs $20
Why Is Beef Jerky So Expensive?
The high price of beef jerky is primarily due to the quantity that is included in each package. The product may be prepared with a lot of intensity, which can lead to a high price. The quality of the ingredients might also be expensive, but it is worth it because the jerky is very good. The dehydration or smoking process might also be expensive, but it produces a high-quality product.
High-Quality Ingredients
The place from which a brand sources its beef is important to establish the final product’s price. Not only that, but the beef used to make beef jerky is also especially lean, with the less fat content as possible. The lesser fat a beef jerky possesses, the more expensive it is because it means it is of better quality. Be aware that most beef jerky has only between 3% and 6% of fat. ..
The price of beef jerky is determined by the quality of the ingredients used. For example, spices that are sourced from high-quality suppliers produce more tasty jerky. Since the brand must pay every source the equivalent to its work, it is normal to think that the producer of beef jerky spends more than those who buy cheaper ingredients.
Some jerky makers add preservatives to their products in order to increase the quality of their jerky, but this can also increase the price. In the end, both types of products cost more because of this.
The difference between high-quality and low-quality beef jerky is that the former uses less additives, which results in a lower cost of production.
Preparation Method
The beef jerky process is time-consuming and requires manual labor if done using automated equipment. For a small batch, two or more times the final weight of beef is needed. ..
Producing a pound of beef jerky requires more than three pounds of raw meat. The final price of the beef jerky makes up for the cost of the raw material used twice or three times. ..
Dehydration Or Smoking Process
The original beef jerky makers used dehydration to produce their jerky. However, many people prefer smoking the beef nowadays, so let’s review both processes and their implications on the cost of the final product.
Dehydration
When speaking of dehydrating beef jerky, it is important to consider energy and time. Dehydrating beef takes a large amount of time, approximately 2 to 6 hours depending on the oven and beef’s thickness. The more time beef spend dehydrating, the more expensive it will be.
Dehydrating beef jerky can extend the life of the product by up to 20%. This method is faster than smoking, and is less likely to produce harmful smoke particles.
Smoking
Smoking meat on a grill takes longer than using a fire, as the smoke needs to be constantly kept going to cook the meat. This method also requires more attention, as the grill must be kept constantly on heat to ensure the process is running smoothly.
Smoking beef jerky has a number of benefits. First, it does not waste as much energy as dehydration, which is why it is a popular method of smoking meat. Second, the rich and intense flavor of smoked beef jerky is something that many people enjoy.
Conclusion
Beef jerky is expensive because it requires twice the meat to make and the process to make it is very long, plus it can waste a lot of energy. Do not let the simplicity of the product distract you from the fact that many factors influenced its preparation so you could enjoy this ready-to-eat snack at any time. On the good side, when you buy from a high-quality beef jerky maker, you can be sure of getting a premium product that is worth your money. ..
Salt is added to beef jerky to make it more flavorful and to help preserve it.
Meat is dehydrated by adding salt to prevent the growth of bacteria. ..
There are a few ways to test for additives in beef jerky. One way is to look for labels that list “no additives” or “natural.” Another way is to ask the store owner if they can tell you what ingredients are in the beef jerky. ..
This information usually appears on the nutritional content of the product.
