Best Vegan Jerky: All The Taste, None of The Guilt

One of the last things vegetarians and vegans probably every imagined themselves eating was jerky. But that was before the creation of some really tasty vegan jerky! Luckily for those people who don’t eat meat for either health or moral concerns, there are some really good boutique companies around the country that are creating healthy meat free jerky.

Since this is a new area for so many vegans and vegetarians (even those who have been making their own vegan jerky) I’m going to provide some info about vegan jerky as well as some links to the best brands currently on the market.

Ethical Concerns About Jerky

Right off the bat, normal jerky is made from meat. That right there is enough stop most people from considering it. However, there are other reasons that might make even the normal meat eater switch to vegan jerky.

First, you’re not getting really good quality meat. Unless you specifically seek out brands that deal in grass fed, pasture raised meat, you’re getting factory farmed product. This is even morally and ethically abhorrent to the average meat eater once they look into it.

You don’t have this problem with vegan jerky since it’s not made with meat.

Health Concerns: Or Why Meat Eaters Might Want To Eat Vegan Jerky

The next reason to reconsider eating regular meat jerky and to switch to something that is made without animal produces is that it’s simply healthier.

The chemicals used to dry out the meat in many of the mass produced jerky are really harmful.

Not to mention that meat itself has been linked to quite a bit of negative health issues (there is debate back and forth on this, but overall, a vegetarian diet that focuses on plants is going to be healthier.

However, in addition to this, there are some other really nasty things in regular beef jerky:

• BVO- Brominated Vegetable Oil. This is a really nasty chemical. It’s been banned in certain countries (the Japanese have done so).
• MSG – Well known to have adverse healthy effects.
• Synthetic Smoke Flavor.

Does Vegan Jerky Taste As Good?

Yes, although it certainly depends upon who you ask. Much like traditional beef jerky. The main thing that good vegan jerky will provide is a savory flavor, a good texture, and some complexity. And that’s not hard to do, especially when you are working with dried out materials. It’s much easier to approximate the texture of jerky than it is something such as a burger or hot dog.

How Is Vegan Jerky Made? 

There are various different methods used to make vegan jerky.

There are vegan jerkys that are made from tofu, setien, fruit, as well as mushroom. However, all of the methods of making vegan jerky are essentially the same in that they take a food and then extract the moisture from it.

The process of air drying out the food creates the desired texture. Be aware that like all dried products, sodium should be looked at.

If you are on a low sodium diet, then make sure to choose a brand that has a lower ratio of sodium. These vegan jerkys might not be as shelf stable as the ones with sodium, but if you’re comfortable with that, then go with it.

The Best Vegan Jerky Brands

The vegan jerky brands I selected for this list all have a few things in common. First, they are all rated relay highly. Secondly, none of them have unhealthy ingredients in them. Finally, what I’ve done is listed a few different options. There are

Best Soy Vegan Jerk: Louisville 

Soy gets a bad wrap, and while there is some debate as to the health benefits of soy, most people believe that as long as you get non-GMO soy then you’re safe.

The upside to using soy is that it’s one of the best materials for mimicking the texture of meat. That’s why you find it in so many meatless dishes that look to create the effect of the meat texture (be it tofu hot dogs, tofu burgers, or the infamous Tofurkey).

It’s high in protein, like meat, except it’s ethical. Louisville is ranked amongst the best vegan jerkys for several reasons.

• • Organic  and Local Ingredients: Not just soy, but local maple syrup, and and sogrum.
  • Small Batch Craftsmanship: You’re not getting a product made in some nightmare industrial factory.
  • Delicious Taste: Chipolte, Maple Bacon, and other flavors.

 

Best Vegan Jerky Made With Seitan

People who are averse to choosing soy often find themselves opting for Stiean. This is a food that is made from wheat glueten.

This is the protein in wheat. Some people are allergic to it, but for those people who are not allergic to it, and who prefer to steer clear of tofu for fear of phytoestrogens, then stitan is a perfect option. Personally, I like seitan as an alternative to soy.

When i get fake bacon or sausage, i tend to opt for seitan.  Try this vegan jerky made with Stiean as it’s chewy and has a very nice lime flavor.

Best High Protein Vegan Jerky

Primal Strips is going to be on the list for anyone who is serious about finding protein in their jerky. It’s made from a mixture of soy, seitan, and mushrooms.

These jerky’s have been made in order to have a high degree of protein, so they make a great addition to protein bars.

So, if you’re a bit sick of eating protein bars, or just want something that has more of a chewy texture that you can pair with your salad. You can add these to your salad at lunch and get a nice amount of protein.

Best Vegan Soy Free Jerky Made From Plants

It’s hard to find a soy free jerky, but this one fits the bill. Check out the reviews to see what people think. It’s primarily made from bananas.

Best Vegan Jerky Made From Mushroom

Really, if you’re looking to get a super healthy vegan jerky and avoid soy or wheat based products (seitan) then a mushroom jerky is perfect.

These has not only an amazing texture but it’s healthy and has healthy benefits. Mushrooms are long known to have a multitude of health benefits such as cancer fighting, blood cleaning benefits, and immune health.

They are filled with vitamins and minerals, not to mention anti-oxidants. Really, if I was to choose any one vegan jerky, my personal choice would be mushroom jerky as its both tasty as well as really beneficial to your health.

Best Vegan Jerky Made From Jackfruit

One of the more interesting vegan jerky brands is made from Jackfruit.

If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan and you have ever looked into the different meat alternatives out there, you will know that jackfruit is fast becoming one of the more popular ingredients.

It’s less controversial than soy or GMO wheat, or vital wheat gluten (which is not suitable for people with gluten allergies). This fruit is especially popular in Asia, where it’s been used for centuries. It is incredibly healthy, and also has a high nutritional value.