Why Is Some Beef Jerky Tender?

A key part of beef jerky’s classic appeal is its dry, rugged texture that can be chewed at your leisure. So why is store-bought jerky tender at times?

The difference between chewy, old-fashioned jerky and tender jerky lies in each brand’s production process. Here, you’ll learn why some store-bought jerky comes out tender while other options retain that dry, classic mouthfeel that’s been enjoyed for hundreds of years.

Why Is Store-Bought Beef Jerky tender?

While each brand of beef jerky has its own twist on the classic smoked snack, most jerky is made using the same steps. First, the beef is sliced before being marinated in a blend of liquids and spices. Then, it’s cooked and smoked before being packaged and shipped to your nearest store.

Why does some store-bought beef jerky turn out tender when the methods for making it are similar? The answer lies in the specific manner each brand carries out these steps, which can vary among different store-bought options.

Liquid Added

A variety of liquid ingredients are added to help season and marinate beef jerky. This can include soy sauce, liquid aminos, hot sauce, molasses, or teriyaki sauce, depending on the style and flavor. Water can also be used to help evenly distribute dry seasonings, such as salt, black pepper, garlic, or sugar.

The amount of liquid added to each piece will affect the tenderness of store-bought beef jerky. The type of liquids added will also affect the tenderness. For instance, soy sauce has salt and will dry out more easily than thick molasses.

At Wild River, our beef jerky is marinated using water, dry seasonings, and soy sauce. As a result, you get a rip-and-tear texture that lets you slowly savor each flavorful bite.

Drying Process

The degree to which store-bought jerky is tender or tough depends significantly on the drying process. First, jerky needs to be laid far enough apart to make sure each piece is evenly cooked. When jerky strips are laid too close together, they could steam during the cooking process instead of drying out, so it’s important to give them ample room.

Once the jerky is laid out properly, it’s then smoked and cooked at a low temperature over a prolonged period of time. This dries each piece out gradually and can take several hours or a whole day. The longer and slower you cook jerky, the drier and more rugged it will be.

The texture of beef jerky also depends on how each strip is cut. The thicker it’s cut, the less dry it can become when it’s smoked. That’s why at Wild River we cut each strip thin enough to dry satisfactorily, but still thick enough to sink your teeth into.

Packaging

Once jerky is cooled and dried, it needs to be stored in airtight packaging. Keeping out oxygen helps keep jerky fresh and prevents mold from growing. At Wild River, we use oxygen absorbers in each sealed bag so it can stay dry and prolong its shelf life.

Where to Get Dried Beef Jerky

From gas stations to big-box retailers, there are tons of places to find your favorite beef jerky. If you’re looking for classic dry beef jerky, Wild River’s products are available both online and in stores.

If you love the convenience of shopping online, you can purchase Wild River on Amazon or right on our website. Simply browse through our flavors, click the “shop now” button, and then add single packs or multiple packs to your cart.

Once your purchase is complete, you’ll have your favorite jerky shipped right to your door. If you opt to use our website, don’t forget to create a free account, which lets you track orders and check out faster. If you find yourself plowing through your jerky supply, subscribe for regularly-timed orders and save 15% on your purchase!

If online shopping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of places to buy jerky in person. The next time you need to fill up your gas tank, refuel your own tank by picking up some beef jerky inside the gas station. Convenience stores that carry our jerky include Kwik Trip, Speedway, and Casey’s.

Doing a home project or picking up some fishing gear? Head to Menards, where you can conveniently grab some Wild River beef jerky right at the counter as you stock up on supplies.

Rough and Tough Beef Jerky

At Wild River, our philosophy is simple. We believe that jerky is best when it can be savored over sunsets and chewed at your leisure. Each morsel of jerky is slow-smoked and slow-dried to create an old-fashioned, chewy texture that’s robust in flavor.

When you tear into Wild River’s jerky, you won’t find a tender, mellow jerky that disappears in an instant. Instead, you’ll enjoy a traditional-style jerky that’s rough, tough, and made to gnaw on throughout the day. Whether you’re headed out to the lake or need an afternoon pick-me-up, our time-tested recipe delivers you classic jerky that always hits the spot.

Our beef jerky styles and flavors include:

• Mild Old Fashioned Beef Jerky: Enjoy the classic taste of beef jerky from 100% beef with simple seasoning and thin-cut strips.
• Black Pepper Old Fashioned Beef Jerky: The black pepper seasoning delivers a delightful punch of flavor without overpowering the robust, beefy taste.
• Green Chile Old Fashioned Beef Jerky: Enjoy hints of green pepper that’s artfully marinated into this jerky’s smoky, rich flavor.
• Hot Old Fashioned Beef Jerky: This fiery twist on classic jerky includes spicy chili pepper seasoning to give your jerky a touch of zing.

Get Old-Fashioned Jerky Today!

Authenticity is the name of the game when it comes to old-fashioned beef jerky. At Wild River, we only deliver you jerky with the slow-dried and smoked texture that you know and love.

Just choose your favorite flavor and enjoy the leisurely chew of a rugged jerky that’s rich in taste. Get back to your roots and shop our products today.