Your Low-Carb Snack On the Go: Old-Fashioned Jerky

Are you always looking for tasty and nutritious low-carb snacks on the go? If so, you should try old-fashioned beef jerky. Jerky is lean, dehydrated meat packed with flavor. Some jerky products are moist and crumble in your mouth, while others are dry and tough.

At Wild River, our old-fashioned jerky consists of premium beef slow-cooked to savory perfection. Each time you bite into the chewy meat, wave after wave of flavor will burst into your mouth until the jerky is tender enough to swallow.

Even better, our long-lasting, old-fashioned jerky contains high-quality protein and calories to fuel your outdoor adventure, be it hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping. Depending on your palate, you can choose between our spicy and mild old-fashioned beef jerky flavors.

Origins of Old-Fashioned Beef Jerky

Making dried meat (jerky) is a centuries-old practice. According to People’s Choice Beef Jerky, current jerky-making methods originated from the Andes Mountains in Peru. The indigenes of this area (the Quechua Indians) called beef jerky Ch’arki, which meant dried meat. As you can see, Ch’arki and jerky sound a lot alike.

The Quechua Indians made Ch’arki by drying meat from llamas, vicuñas, and alpacas in the sun and freezing it in the cold night air. The Spanish conquistadors copied this style of curing and preserving meat and added their own twist to it by adding spices during the curing process.

In Northern America, Native Americans made jerky with meat from bison, buffalo, and wild game. Instead of sun and air drying, they smoked meat to dehydrate and preserve it. Early North American settlers learned the jerky-making process of the Native Americans and, over the years, adapted it. By the 1820s, cowboys were making jerky by smoking, salting, or sun-drying beef and other types of meat.

What is Old-Fashioned Beef Jerky?

The originators of old-fashioned beef jerky or cowboy style jerky were the cowboys (also called cow hunters). Compared to other types of jerky, old-fashioned jerky is typically drier, tougher, chewier, less fatty, and very flavorful. Even though most cowboys had their own recipe, their results were usually quite similar.

Most preparation styles require slaughtering the cattle and cutting the meat into thin strips that dry faster. The meat then undergoes salting, which prevents bacteria growth and dehydrates the meat. Afterward, the meat will undergo smoking to dry it further and flavor it with wood smoke. Once dried, old-fashioned beef jerky can last for weeks without refrigeration.

Where to Enjoy Your Old-Fashioned Beef Jerky?

During outdoor activities, eating low-carb snacks on the go can keep hunger pangs at bay and your mind off your exertions. More importantly, the snack can provide you with the nutrition and energy you need to conquer the outdoors.

While several low-carb snacks are available, old-fashioned beef jerky is an excellent choice because it’s portable and ready to eat. Even better, Wild River’s old-fashioned beef jerky is rich in protein, vitamins, iron, calcium, and other nutrients that will keep you energized and nourished during your adventure.

Lastly, since dried jerky can last for weeks in its sealed packaging, you don’t have to take extra measures to prevent spoilage. Pack some mild or hot old-fashioned jerky with you when heading out for any of these outdoor activities:

Hiking

Hiking burns a lot of calories. Our old-fashioned beef jerky contains 80 to 90 calories per serving, making it a nutritious energy source as you traverse your chosen terrain. Lastly, since old-fashioned beef jerky is lightweight, you can carry as many as you want in your backpack without feeling the weight.

Fishing

Most times, it can take hours to hook a fish. During your wait, you can pass the time by enjoying some old-fashioned jerky and a cold drink.

On a Road Trip

Driving and snacking can be clumsy, messy, or even dangerous if you have a snack that requires careful handling or both hands. You won’t have such problems with jerky since you only need one hand to take a piece out of the pack and pop it into your mouth.

Also, since old-fashioned jerky is chewy, prolonged chewing of the meat can keep you awake and your eyes focused on the road. Lastly, since beef jerky is a light snack, you won’t need to use a rest stop every few miles.

Seek New Snacking Adventures with Wild River

Various jerky recipes are available. At Wild River, we offer only delicious old-fashioned beef jerky products that contain no synthetic nitrates, gluten, or fillers. If you need low-carb snacks on the go, you can’t go wrong with our Green Chile Old-Fashioned Beef Jerky or Black Pepper Old-Fashioned Beef Jerky.

Check out our tasty old-fashioned beef jerky products today to find the best one for your next adventure.