Jerky has been around for as long as humans have had to preserve meat, but it's not just subsistence food anymore, thanks to craft jerky companies. There's a big, flavorful world of dried meat and meat alternatives to explore. Consider giving one of these protein-packed snacks and gift boxes to a jerky lover in your life.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
$89 from Manly Man Co.
A flower bouquet made out of three different flavors of beef jerky and snack sticks will steal the show at any holiday party. This gift comes fully assembled and sealed for freshness.
$20/month and up from Cratejoy
Your jerky lover will receive a package of two to eight bags of American-made jerky every month with this subscription box. There will always be new brands and flavors in each shipment from some of the highest-rated artisan jerky companies.
$27 from Amazon
Biltong is the South African version of beef jerky, and it's gaining popularity in the States. Try four different flavors of it — peri peri, teriyaki, hickory, and zesty garlic — in this variety pack from Stryve.
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$60/month and up from Cratejoy
Jerky lovers on special diets deserve gifts, too. This subscription box will bring gluten-free joy to their doorstep for as many as 12 months. Giving just one box is also an option.
$41 from Mouth
There's probably a large overlap of people who love jerky and people who love spicy foods, and for those people, there's this trio of hot jerkies. They'll get a package of Buffalo chicken jerky, peri peri biltong, and habanero beef jerky.
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$70 from Man Crates
Hang these jerky-filled camouflage ornaments on the tree Christmas Eve and let the meat-loving members of your household have a fantastic beef-filled treasure hunt Christmas morning.
$14 from Amazon
Jerky doesn't have to be made with beef, as demonstrated by this sampler pack of highly rated ahi tuna jerky. There's five flavors, including sriracha and lemon salt, in small packs so your giftee can find a favorite.
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$30 from Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.
There's no reason that vegans and vegetarians can't enjoy jerky, too. Soy protein is the main ingredient in these plant-based versions from Louisville. This variety pack includes five bags in flavors like Buffalo dill and pepperoni.
$90 from Man Crates
Plan ahead and order an advent calendar that will brighten your giftee's December days until Christmas. Each window has a half-ounce package of jerky in flavors like chili lime, Thai satay, and ghost pepper.
$11 from Amazon
Jerky superfans can save some money by making their own jerky. This book explains that it's not rocket science to dry and cure meat, and includes recipes for all types of jerky like venison, fish, and fowl.
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$20 from Harry and David
Dogs like jerky, too! Grab this stocking stuffed with meaty snacks for dogs for your own pooch, or the faithful friend of your jerky-loving coworker or in-law.
$46 from Amazon
Righteous Felon jerky is a popular brand based in Philadelphia with great reviews on Amazon. This big eight-pack sampler of 2-ounce bags is sugar-free, gluten-free, and made with sustainably sourced beef from family farms.
$60 from Mouth
This gift box is great for the casual jerky fan because it has a lot of variety. It comes with five bags from independent makers, including cracked pepper turkey jerky and filet mignon chipotle adobo jerky.
$23 from Manly Man Co.
Have something really important to say to a jerky lover? Have it laser-engraved on a greeting-card-size piece of jerky so they'll be sure never to forget it.
$24 from Manly Man Co.
A Mexican variation of beef jerky is called carne seca, and they'll get three bags to try in this sampler, including limón con chile, habanero, and a finely shredded machaca.
$59/month and up from Cratejoy
If the jerky fiend you're buying for also loves beer, you're in luck with this subscription box. Each month, the jerky will be made with alcohol, usually beer. You can purchase up to 12 months at a time, or just once for a one-time gift.
$33 from Amazon
Salmon jerky is sweet, savory, and smoky, like a preserved version of smoked salmon. You'll get spicy barbecue, sweet honey teriyaki, and sweet and smoky flavors in this three-pack with high ratings.
$70 from Man Crates
Pork and jerky don't often go together, unless that pork happens to be bacon. This wooden crate comes with two bags of bacon jerky in jalapeño and maple flavors, along with a few other sweet and savory bacon goodies.
$170 from Amazon
Your giftee could set up a serious jerky-making operation with this food dehydrator. It's got digital controls that you can set for up to 48 hours, a space-saving design, and runs quietly so you won't notice it operating.
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$40 from Man Crates
A great gift for a dad, grandpa, or husband, this tie-shaped box is filled with 10 small packages of beef jerky. Flavors include root beer, habanero, honey bourbon, and black pepper.
$21 from Amazon
Mushrooms are the main ingredient in the plant-based jerky from Urban Cowboy that has a very meat-like texture. This three-pack is nut-free and gluten-free and includes sriracha, black pepper, and sweet onion teriyaki varieties.
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$15/month and up from Cratejoy
You can choose options from two bags to a full pound of jerky to be delivered to your giftee with this monthly subscription box. The selected, highly rated brands have no high fructose corn syrup, nitrates, or nitrites.
$26 from Amazon
The fun, colorful bag designs of Baja jerky hold beef that's very highly rated on Amazon. Your jerky lover will get four 2.5-ounce packages of meat in traditional, salsa fresca, lime and serrano pepper, and sweet orange flavors.
$50 from Man Crates
For the jerky lover who's tried all the beef out there, get this jerkygram filled with exotic meats. There's wild boar and buffalo jerky, plus elk, ostrich, duck, and pheasant strips and sticks for extra snacking.
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$34 from Mouth
Made with filet mignon for the ultimate flavor and tenderness, you'll get three bags in this package from Three Jerks. Flavors include chipotle adobo, Memphis BBQ, and hamburger, an unusual combination of ketchup, mustard, and pickle.
$119 from Manly Man Co.
Brunch is a great time to enjoy some beef jerky, especially if it's garnishing a bloody mary. This kit comes with a bouquet of beef jerky and snack sticks along with everything you need to make a bloody mary — minus the vodka. Pick a flower from the bouquet and voilà: easy, tasty garnish.
