You can use many different cuts of beef to make beef jerky. Ideally, it's best to use a type of beef that is very flavorful and lean. The leaner the meat is, the faster it will dry and the longer it will last. Below are 5 of the best cuts of beef that deliver a superior texture and taste when making beef jerky.
The Top 5 Best Cuts of Beef For Beef Jerky
1. Brisket Beef Jerky
Brisket is a premium, lean cut that gives off a good beefy flavor, and tough texture that's ideal for making beef jerky. It often chews like a succulent steak, making it a popular choice with many small-batch beef jerky makers. If you're looking for inspiration, Long Beach Jerky Co's beef jerky is made with 100% brisket. They put an emphasis on using the best quality meat when making their Gramps' original beef jerky. We recommend giving it a try, as it's one of our best-sellers. You can find it here.
2. Tri Tip Beef Jerky
Tri Tip is called the king of BBQ meats in Southern California. It's one of the most flavorful cuts of meats you can use when making beef jerky. But be careful, it can get pricey to use if you're producing large batches. Want to try it first? Johnny Mac's has perfected their recipe, delivering a savory and sweet Smokin' Southwestern Tri Tip Beef Jerky that'll make your mouth water!
3. Filet Mignon Beef Jerky
Filet Mignon creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture when using it to make beef jerky. If you smoke it just right, it can showcase a smoky flavor that's hard to produce with other types of beef. If you love a true steakhouse-style jerky, filet mignon is the perfect meat for you. However, it can get pricey when using filet mignon as it's one of the most expensive types of meats. If you haven't tried filet mignon beef jerky yet, we recommend checking out Roy Rogers Filet Mignon Beef Jerky.
4. Flank Steak Beef Jerky
Long strips of flank steak are ideal for making beef jerky. Once trimmed, this lean meat can be both tough and flavorful. We recommend thinly slicing it against the grain and marinating for 25-48 hours. This type of beef holds up well during marinating, resulting in a very flavorful and tender bite. Kingmade Jerky is known for perfecting their jerky using flank steak. They are also the official jerky of the PGA tour. We highly recommend trying their buffalo flavor. You can find it here.
5. Rib Steak Beef Jerky
Rib steak is one of the most popular cuts of beef to use when making beef jerky. Chudabeef prides themselves on using this type of premium beef compared to their competitors. It's considered a more flavorful cut over other types due to the marbling of fat in the meat. We recommend trying Chudabeef's original beef jerky flavor and deciding for yourself.
Discover more kinds of beef used when making beef jerky on the JerkyGent Shop. You can even try new brands and flavors every month by joining JerkyGent's monthly beef jerky subscription box.