Jerky is delicious. It’s a road trip staple, a camping must-have, and a go-to for go-getters! Heck, even if you aren’t one of those people, you’ve still had jerky at some point in your life…right?! (I’m going to assume no one raised their hand at the bizarre exception and move right along.)
Jerky is as American as apple pie. Actually, it’s quite a bit older than apples in North America.
OK, so it’s old and good, but what exactly is it? Jerky is lean trimmed meat (typically beef or turkey) that has been cut into strips and dehydrated to prevent spoilage. Typically, salt is added during the dehydration process to prevent bacterial growth.
It is believed to have been invented by the Native American descendants of Incans called the Quechua. In fact, the word jerky comes from the Quechua word ch’arki, meaning “to burn meat.”
Jerky is quite high in protein and zinc, while being relatively low in fat and carbohydrates. A typical 30-gram portion of fresh jerky contains 10–15 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and 0–3 grams of carbohydrates, although some beef jerky can have a protein content above 65%. The nutritional content and lack of preservatives, chemicals, and added sugars make jerky a fantastic between-meals snack that can easily replace typical processed snacks.
Another great meat snack item is dried sausage. What is dried sausage? It’s a cased sausage that is cold-smoked and dried. It falls somewhere between jerky and salami. The links don’t require refrigeration, but they do have an expiration date.
You’ve seen those ropes of sausage hanging in stores – if not in person, you’ve most likely seen them in movies. At Meyer’s, we take our German-style beef sausage, smoke them in our smokehouses and hang them to dry in our meat coolers for 21 days. Then the sausages are smoked again to give them a wonderful Hickory smoked flavor.
The next time you’re looking for a snack to tide you over, instead of reaching for chips or sweets, why not treat yourself to a better, healthier, and delicious meaty option? You won’t find any additives, chemicals, MSG, or anything man-made in our meat! You can conveniently order it right here on our website and have it shipped straight to your door. Ain’t nothing better than getting meat in the mail!
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