12 Vegan Jerkies That Prove Plants Are the Ultimate Protein Snack

Our ancestors preserved meat for obvious reasons: food was scarce, winters were long, and travel required portable, compact and durable food. For these reasons, jerky was a staple long before paleo dieters made it the snacking trend it is today. However, it also creates a livestock industry that is bad for our health, the planet and the animals. Dried animal products get their flavor (smoky, spicy, sweet) from plants, so why not go straight to the source (cruelty-free) for a jerky that ticks all the boxes? While consumers might view animals as the only “meaty” option for making jerky, the terrestrial and marine plant kingdoms offer far more variety, flavors and textures because, of course, everything that foods d can do, plants can do better. . And for the vegan jerky category, the proof is in the chewing. With that in mind, we’re highlighting 12 innovative vegan jerkies that could shake up traditional animal-based jerkie sales.

It’s jerky y’all

1 It’s jerky y’all

Inspired by local Texan flavors and ingredients, this jerky is made from organic soybeans as well as chipotle peppers and the region’s famous prickly pears. Flavors include black pepper and sea salt, prickly pear teriyaki, and prickly pear chipotle. The best part? Portions of every bag sold benefits Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, a cattle ranch turned vegan sanctuary for farm animals.
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The herbivorous butcher

2 The herbivorous butcher

Herbivore Butcher’s chewy and flavorful jerky is made with seitan and comes in three flavors: Teriyaki Jerky, Sizzlin’ Cajun Jerky, and Salt ‘n Peppa Jerky. “Honestly,” says Kale Walch, co-founder of The Herbivorous Butcher, “I think ours is tastier and the texture is just right. Some people may not like that ours is more realistic in texture, but features different for different people.
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Akua

3 Akua

This jerky is made from mushrooms and kelp, which makes it high in fiber and protein, while being low in calories, sugar and fat. The world’s first carbon-negative snack, you can rest easy munching on this innovative, protein-rich kelp jerky.
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noble jerky

4 noble jerky

Gourmet-made, Noble Jerky is made from soy protein, resulting in a smooth, smoky, protein-rich taste. Vegans and omnivores are sure to appreciate the authentic taste of the Sweet BBQ, Chipotle, Teriyaki and Original flavors in the line.
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5 Lily’s vegan pantry

New York’s first vegetarian meat vendor turned all-vegan grocer offers vegan jerkies made with Japanese konjac root (similar to sweet potato), wheat or soy. All varieties come in several different flavors, including spicy, teriyaki, and vegan bacon.
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Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.

6 Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.

With flavors like Maple Bacon, Smokey Carolina BBQ and the limited edition Sesame Gochujang, this non-GMO textured soy protein jerky is all chewy and full of flavor.
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7 Primal Spirit Foods Primal Strips

These individually wrapped jerkies are made with soy, seitan and shiitake mushrooms. Flavors like Thai Peanut and Texan BBQ make this a perfect portable snack for travel, backpacking, or to keep in your bag for emergencies.
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8 Jerquee of Stonewall

Don’t let the fancy spelling fool you! These single-serve “jerquees” are equal parts meaty, chewy, and flavorful.
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9 Foreal Foods Dried Coconut

Coconut doesn’t just lend itself to milk, water, ice cream, and cheese, it’s also a natural jerky. To perform the transformation, young coconut meat is marinated and dehydrated for a healthy and addictive jerky.
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ten BeLeaf Vegan Jerky

Famous for its fan-favorite vegan fried egg, BeLeaf’s line of plant-based jerky is another must-have for any vegan pantry. Made from soy protein, the company offers flavors including Spicy, Wasabi, and Original.
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Beyond meat

11 Beyond the cured meat

The brains behind the famous Beyond Burger are now making vegan jerky. Made from peas and mung bean protein, flavors include Original, Hot & Spicy, and Teriyaki.
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eat the change

12Eat the Change Mushroom Jerky

Co-founded by Excellent chef Eat the Change alumnus Spike Mendelsohn creates chewy vegan jerky using sustainably sourced mushrooms from a Pennsylvania-based family farm. Bruised, oversized mushroom stalks — which wouldn’t normally make it to grocery store shelves — are marinated in a spice blend and smoked for a plant-based jerky you’ll want over and over again.
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