The world is full of fantastic, delicious, and innovative jerky. That’s why our panel of experts tastes each year some of the best, and ranks and celebrates what they find.
The annual International Jerky Awards competition rewards the Top Jerky creations of the Year.
This year some of the best jerky was not only made of the traditional beef, but also from fish, poultry, bison, and even mushrooms.
Products from across the country entered into this competition, and were sent to a select jury panel of food & wine media and industry judges located throughout North America. This panel tasted, reviewed and voted on which they consider to be the “Top Jerky of the Year” by the TASTY AWARDS panel, the Academy of Media Tastemakers.
The judges and reviewers for this year’s selections come from a panel of gurus from the Academy of Media Tastemakers. Here are their favorites
SOME TOP JERKY SELECTIONS
TOP GOLD & OFFICIAL JERKY PARTNERS
Top Overall Gold Jerky Award Winners, TASTY AWARDS Winners, and Official Jerky Partners of the TASTE AWARDS
SELECTED JUDGES’ COMMENTS
Neptune…outta this world!!!
Jedds brisket
Savage Jerky Maple Bacon Jerky is hands down the best bacon jerky I have tasted. Great texture and flavor. I loved it.
MattHat Jerky really nailed the truffle flavor and has great texture.
GP Jerky had great quality meat and the perfect slice thickness for the beef he chose to turn into jerky. A great snack.
The Good Life fish jerky varieties were amazing, with my favorite being the Sweet N Smoky Salmon.
Jeds Jerky always pleases, with my favorite flavors being Sweet & Spicy Beef and the Sweet & Spicy Mango.
Love Matt-Hat Jerky’s inclusion of flosser/tooth pick in their packaging. My favorite is their Keto Black Truffle jerky.
Bella Sun Luci’s tomato jerky jumps out and grabs you with intense, amazing tomato flavor; hard to put down.
Love the soft texture and sweet flavors of Old Country’s jerky. Both the Habanero and the Teriyaki flavors were amazing.
Savage Bacon, and any Jeds anytime – these two brands are standouts!
“The Good Jerky Honey Teryaki Salmon, Pescavore Smokey Poke, Fat Cow Jerky Pickle and Jed’s Jerky Mango Beef (could NOT pick only one!)
Tomato Jerkey, great sun-dried tomatoes!!!
“GP Jerky Meat Synergy – Your packaging was just fine, and the jerky had good flavor and texture, but part of the judging for me is knowing the ingredients. For instance, you didn’t even say what the meat was. I’d like to have an idea of what I’m ingesting. For example, on a personal note, I am allergic to garlic. I can take a little, while other family members cannot eat any. I need to see where it falls in an ingredient listing so I can monitor my intake. Just “food for thought”.
Fat Cow Jerky – Pickle – I absolutely love the pickle infusion (it was one of my favorites), but found the heat inconsistent. Some pieces were perfect, and other pieces tore my tongue in half! I’d like to avoid the extra-spicy pieces! LOL! Also, ingredient listing on your packaging was too tiny to read even with glasses. Please consider a larger font for those of us who need to read ingredients.
And by the way, thank you for not making your Honey Habanero too ungodly hot! 🙂
To those who put habanero in your jerky: you don’t need to overload it so that it covers up the delicious jerky flavor. ”
Surprised that nearly all Habaneros did not turn out to be very spicey — and some packages with Habanero did not have it listed in Ingredients list (“added flavors”)
Curious to know ingredients of Caribbean Jerk Herbivorous Butcher – they are not on the website (even with all their other flavored products)
“SmokeShack is a superb new entry, and love the flavor combinations, which are very unique, memorable, and recommendable – can’t wait to tell others to taste it
Superb quality and “meatiness” of base beef ingredients of Jeds products and of Fat Cow are high quality
Pollards Gentlemans Jerky’s red velvet bag did not fall short for its nicely balanced flavors and high meat quality
Surprised in a good way of the flavors in Herbivorous Butcher, and curious to learn more about their “meats and cheeses”
Appreciate the honesty, sincerity, and genuine heart-felt note of Gary and his “meat synergy” – please keep the bowling lanes filled!
Crispy nature of Southwest Jerky was a tasty surprise!
We hope Matt Hat pursues his J.D. in school — a Jerky Degree!
Savage Bacon hits on all levels – across maple and buffalo. ”
“Love the moist, soft, flaky texture of The Good Life fish jerkys. Very snackable.”
“Jed’s Mango was a delicious mixture of spices and fruit. It just melted in my mouth. The right amount of chewing and sweetness.
My mouth waters a the thought of Matt-Hat Black Truffle
The Fat Cow Pickle had an enticing flavor.Maybe the vinegar?
The Pescavor styles were a welcome change from just beef or pork jerky. I like the light flavors of the fish.
Old Farm Foods offered a nice pleasant texture and flavor”
How does Jed’s get its jerky so tender and flavorful? It’s unreal.
OFFICIAL JERKY PARTNERS OF THE 13TH ANNUAL TASTE AWARDS
Recipients of this honor have the use of the title, “Official Jerky Partner of the TASTE AWARDS,” as well as the option to place jerky samples in the VIP and Celebrity Gift Bags at the TASTE AWARDS Red Carpet celebration in California (March/April 2022).The TASTE AWARDS celebrate the year’s best in food, fashion and lifestyle programs on television, in film, online, and on radio.
STAR RATINGS: OVERALL
- JedsJerky Cowboy Beef Brisket
- JedsJerky Sweet & Spicy Beef Brisket
- JedsJerky Tropical Sweet & Spicy Mango Brisket
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Black Truffle
- Savage Jerky Co. Maple Buffalo Bacon Jerky
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Original
- Smoke Shack Jerky dojo Mojo Beef Jerky
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Teriyaki Flavor Beef Jerky
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Habanero Flavor Beef Jerky
- Pollard’s Gentleman Jerky Pollard’s Gentleman Jerky Oklahoma Blend Medium Heat
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Sweet Heat
- Fat Cow Jerky Honey Habanero Beef Jerky
- GP Jerky
- Slim Sadie’s Beef Jerky
- Smoke Shack Jerky Safari Beef Jerky
- Southwest Jerky Co. Southwest Jerky Co. Original Flavor
- The Good Jerky Sweet N Smoky Salmon Jerky
- Smoke Shack Jerky Jammin Jerk Beef Jerky
- Healthy Oceans Seafood Company Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip – Island Teriyaki
- Fat Cow Jerky Pickle Beef Jerky
- The Good Jerky Sweet Honey Teriyaki Salmon Jerky
- Jamie’s Jerky Jamie’s Jerky Original Beef
- Neptune Snacks Spicy Cajun Wild Pacific Rockfish Jerky
- The Good Jerky Habanero Honey Trout Jerky
- Healthy Oceans Seafood Company Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip – Caribbean Jerk
- Neptune Snacks Cracked Pepper Wild Alaska Pollock Fish Jerky
- The Herbivorous Butcher Vegan Caribbean Jerk Jerky
- Bella Sun Luci The Original Plant-Based Tomato Jerky Teriyaki and Cracked Pepper
- Vegan Dream Vegan Dream Jerky / Hickory Pepper
- Eat The Change Eat The Change Mushroom Jerky
AWARD CATEGORY: FLAVOR
- JedsJerky Tropical Sweet & Spicy Mango Brisket
- JedsJerky Sweet & Spicy Beef Brisket
- JedsJerky Cowboy Beef Brisket
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Black Truffle
- Savage Jerky Co. Maple Buffalo Bacon Jerky
HONORABLE MENTION
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Teriyaki Flavor Beef Jerky
- Bella Sun Luci The Original Plant-Based Tomato Jerky Teriyaki and Cracked Pepper
- Fat Cow Jerky Honey Habanero Beef Jerky
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Original
- Neptune Snacks Spicy Cajun Wild Pacific Rockfish Jerky
- The Good Jerky Sweet N Smoky Salmon Jerky
- The Good Jerky Sweet Honey Teriyaki Salmon Jerky
AWARD CATEGORY: TEXTURE
- JedsJerky Tropical Sweet & Spicy Mango Brisket
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Teriyaki Flavor Beef Jerky
- Savage Jerky Co. Maple Buffalo Bacon Jerky
- JedsJerky Sweet & Spicy Beef Brisket
HONORABLE MENTION
- Fat Cow Jerky Honey Habanero Beef Jerky
- The Good Jerky Sweet N Smoky Salmon Jerky
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Black Truffle
- Bella Sun Luci The Original Plant-Based Tomato Jerky Teriyaki and Cracked Pepper
- The Good Jerky Sweet Honey Teriyaki Salmon Jerky
- Fat Cow Jerky Pickle Beef Jerky
- Slim Sadie’s Beef Jerky
- Southwest Jerky Co. Southwest Jerky Co. Original Flavor
- Jamie’s Jerky Jamie’s Jerky Original Beef
AWARDS CATEGORY: PACKAGING
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Black Truffle
- Slim Sadie’s Beef Jerky
- Neptune Snacks Cracked Pepper Wild Alaska Pollock Fish Jerky
- Pollard’s Gentleman Jerky Pollard’s Gentleman Jerky Oklahoma Blend Medium Heat
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Teriyaki Flavor Beef Jerky
- The Good Jerky Sweet Honey Teriyaki Salmon Jerky
- Fat Cow Jerky Pickle Beef Jerky
- JedsJerky Tropical Sweet & Spicy Mango Brisket
- The Good Jerky Sweet N Smoky Salmon Jerky
- Jamie’s Jerky Jamie’s Jerky Original Beef
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Original
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Sweet Heat
AWARDS CATEGORY: UNIQUENESS
- Fat Cow Jerky Pickle Beef Jerky
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Black Truffle
- The Good Jerky Sweet Honey Teriyaki Salmon Jerky
- Savage Jerky Co. Maple Buffalo Bacon Jerky
- The Good Jerky Sweet N Smoky Salmon Jerky
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Teriyaki Flavor Beef Jerky
- JedsJerky Tropical Sweet & Spicy Mango Brisket
- Bella Sun Luci The Original Plant-Based Tomato Jerky Teriyaki and Cracked Pepper
- Smoke Shack Jerky Safari Beef Jerky
- Eat The Change Eat The Change Mushroom Jerky
- Healthy Oceans Seafood Company Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip – Island Teriyaki
- Healthy Oceans Seafood Company Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip – Caribbean Jerk
HONORABLE MENTION
- Slim Sadie’s Beef Jerky
- Neptune Snacks Cracked Pepper Wild Alaska Pollock Fish Jerky
- JedsJerky Sweet & Spicy Beef Brisket
- Southwest Jerky Co. Southwest Jerky Co. Original Flavor
- JedsJerky Cowboy Beef Brisket
- Neptune Snacks Spicy Cajun Wild Pacific Rockfish Jerky
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Habanero Flavor Beef Jerky
- The Herbivorous Butcher Vegan Caribbean Jerk Jerky
- Vegan Dream Vegan Dream Jerky / Hickory Pepper
AWARDS CATEGORY: QUALITY
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Black Truffle
- JedsJerky Tropical Sweet & Spicy Mango Brisket
- Fat Cow Jerky Honey Habanero Beef Jerky
- The Good Jerky Sweet Honey Teriyaki Salmon Jerky
- The Good Jerky Sweet N Smoky Salmon Jerky
- Slim Sadie’s Beef Jerky
- JedsJerky Sweet & Spicy Beef Brisket
- JedsJerky Cowboy Beef Brisket
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Teriyaki Flavor Beef Jerky
- Bella Sun Luci The Original Plant-Based Tomato Jerky Teriyaki and Cracked Pepper
- Southwest Jerky Co. Southwest Jerky Co. Original Flavor
- Neptune Snacks Spicy Cajun Wild Pacific Rockfish Jerky
HONORABLE MENTION
- Savage Jerky Co. Maple Buffalo Bacon Jerky
- Smoke Shack Jerky Safari Beef Jerky
- Healthy Oceans Seafood Company Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip – Island Teriyaki
- Healthy Oceans Seafood Company Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip – Caribbean Jerk
- Neptune Snacks Cracked Pepper Wild Alaska Pollock Fish Jerky
- Vegan Dream Vegan Dream Jerky / Hickory Pepper
- Pollard’s Gentleman Jerky Pollard’s Gentleman Jerky Oklahoma Blend Medium Heat
- Smoke Shack Jerky Jammin Jerk Beef Jerky
AWARDS CATEGORY: INGREDIENT COMBINATIONS
- JedsJerky Tropical Sweet & Spicy Mango Brisket
- The Good Jerky Sweet Honey Teriyaki Salmon Jerky
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Black Truffle
- JedsJerky Sweet & Spicy Beef Brisket
HONORABLE MENTION
- The Good Jerky Sweet N Smoky Salmon Jerky
- Savage Jerky Co. Maple Buffalo Bacon Jerky
- JedsJerky Cowboy Beef Brisket
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Teriyaki Flavor Beef Jerky
- Neptune Snacks Cracked Pepper Wild Alaska Pollock Fish Jerky
- Fat Cow Jerky Pickle Beef Jerky
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Habanero Flavor Beef Jerky
AWARDS CATEGORY: BEST BEEF JERKY
- JedsJerky Tropical Sweet & Spicy Mango Brisket
- Jamie’s Jerky Jamie’s Jerky Original Beef
- JedsJerky Sweet & Spicy Beef Brisket
- JedsJerky Cowboy Beef Brisket
- Slim Sadie’s Beef Jerky
HONORABLE MENTION
- Fat Cow Jerky Pickle Beef Jerky
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Black Truffle
- Matt-Hat Jerky, LLC Gourmet Keto Original
- Old Country Jerky Juicy Teriyaki Flavor Beef Jerky
- Smoke Shack Jerky Safari Beef Jerky
- Southwest Jerky Co. Southwest Jerky Co. Original Flavor
AWARDS CATEGORY: BEST POULTRY/FISH JERKY/NON-BEEF MEAT JERKY
- The Good Jerky Sweet Honey Teriyaki Salmon Jerky
- Healthy Oceans Seafood Company Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip – Island Teriyaki
- Neptune Snacks Spicy Cajun Wild Pacific Rockfish Jerky
- Healthy Oceans Seafood Company Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip – Caribbean Jerk
- Neptune Snacks Cracked Pepper Wild Alaska Pollock Fish Jerky
- The Good Jerky Sweet N Smoky Salmon Jerky
- The Good Jerky Habanero Honey Trout Jerky
HONORABLE MENTION
- Eat The Change Eat The Change Mushroom Jerky
- Savage Jerky Co. Maple Buffalo Bacon Jerky
AWARDS CATEGORY: BEST VEGAN OR PLANT-BASED JERKY
- Bella Sun Luci The Original Plant-Based Tomato Jerky Teriyaki and Cracked Pepper
- Vegan Dream Vegan Dream Jerky / Hickory Pepper
- Eat The Change Eat The Change Mushroom Jerky
HONORABLE MENTION
- The Herbivorous Butcher Vegan Caribbean Jerk Jerky
JUDGES PANEL
Awards Judges are National and Regional Magazine, Newspaper and Blog Editors, plus Topic Experts, Local Chefs and Food Gurus.
To more about the Academy, visit the site.
