Beef Jerky: All the Benefits of Jerky

Jerky, also known as beef jerky, is a snack traditionally of American origin (although every ancient culture developed its own version), and it's becoming increasingly popular outside the United States too. In Italy, it has recently entered the market as a healthy and tasty alternative for a quick snack.

Not everyone knows how jerky (“beef jerky” in English) is made, or the many health benefits it offers.

How Jerky or Beef Jerky Is Made

Beef jerky is made using natural methods: several selected slices of meat are marinated in a special marinade.
It's important that the cuts of meat used are of the highest quality, completely trimmed of fat, and skillfully sliced to be perfect for drying. This way, the meat will not only dry perfectly, but will also have the right texture to eat.

The marinade is made up of various carefully selected ingredients that make the beef jerky even tastier. These include paprika, garlic and spices. Every blend matters in giving the meat slices a unique taste, and it's an important step that contributes to the right flavor of the jerky.

After 24 hours of marinating, the beef jerky is dried in a dedicated dehydrator for 6 to 9 hours. Each slice is placed with care, because it needs to dry perfectly.

The Different Types of Beef Jerky

There are different types of jerky, usually chosen based on each person's personal taste.

The meats used are mainly beef, chicken, pork and salmon. The famous American “beef jerky” is made from beef, with lean and appetizing meat. The jerky industry has since developed enormously over time, creating different products in terms of flavor and raw materials.

Beef jerky alone is available in a huge variety of flavors: from the classic, to spicy with chili or jalapeños, to the ever-popular BBQ. Chicken jerky, which normally has a mild, delicate taste, is enriched by the flavor of spices.

Besides beef, pork and salmon, there are also types of jerky made from game cuts, such as moose, deer and reindeer, special specialties that are unique in flavor.

Health Benefits

There are many health benefits when it comes to jerky: it's definitely a light snack, with very few carbs and a high protein content.
Not only that, the process it undergoes also makes it a perfect meat for athletes.

Here are all the many benefits of jerky for our body:

• It's light and low in calories: since it's made from the lean part of the cut of meat, and cooked without oils or animal fats, it has a low calorie content. This makes it a suitable snack for those on a diet, or following a low-carb eating plan.
• It's high in protein: meat is made up mostly of protein, as well as minerals and vitamins. Its protein content makes it suitable for both people on a diet and athletes looking for a healthy, light snack, with the right protein to help build muscle. That's why it's also suitable for bodybuilders who need to follow a protein-rich diet.
• Zinc and iron: jerky is high in zinc and iron, essential elements for our body to function well. Iron is useful for producing red blood cells, while zinc helps boost our immune defenses.
• It's convenient and quick: it needs no further preparation and can be eaten at any time of day. Jerky is easy to carry, even in a bag, and no utensils are needed to cut the meat. The portions are perfect for eating by hand.
• It has no artificial flavors or colorings: the drying process requires no artificial flavors or colorings. What's more, this type of cooking completely eliminates pathogens, so it's safe to eat even outside the fridge. In fact, there's no need to keep it refrigerated, because the cooking process makes it resistant to spoilage.
• It's natural: just top-quality meat (available in various types), spices, natural flavorings and a careful process carried out by expert hands. Jerky is a minimally processed product, rich in natural ingredients that give it its unique flavor.
• It's versatile: it can be eaten simply as a snack, perhaps after a workout, but it can also be part of a healthy meal as a lean, tasty source of protein.

Jerky, or beef jerky, is definitely a delicious product, and it's well worth discovering. Not only because it's part of a rich, ancient tradition (drying meat was, after all, necessary before refrigerators existed), but also because it's a different way to enjoy meat and fish.

Its high content of protein, vitamins and minerals, combined with its wide variety of flavors, make it a tasty, healthy product full of natural elements that are great for the body's health.