Chicken Jerky Vs Beef Jerky: What’s The Difference?
Do you ever find yourself craving a salty snack? That’s when it is time to consider whether or not you want chicken jerky or beef jerky.
They are made from different sources of protein, therefore, there must be plenty of things to talk about when putting chicken jerky and beef jerky in comparison.
Read on to find out the interesting facts about these two popular snacks and find our favorite one.
What is chicken jerky?
Chicken jerky is a kind of snack that is made from fried and seasoned strips of chicken meat, usually chicken breast.
It has become more popular in recent years as it is savory, affordable, and can be eaten at any time of the day.
Since the meat is seasoned with salt and cooked in a smoker, oven, or dehydrator, it is safe to eat and can even last longer than other kinds of meat, making it perfect for on-the-go snacks, especially when traveling or hiking.
Chicken jerky can be made at home or bought from a grocery store.
It can come in different flavors and sizes.
Since chicken jerky is mainly made from white meat chicken breast, it is high in protein and low in fat.
A lot of people are afraid of jerky because it is usually packed with a high sodium level.
However, if you make it from scratch at home, you can control the salt content, turning it into a healthier snack to enjoy.
What is beef jerky?
Beef jerky is a more popular type of jerky.
It is dried meat that is made by cutting raw slices of lean beef into thin strips and then drying them with low heat from an oven, smoker, or dehydrator.
This process reduces moisture content, concentrating flavor and texture while making the meat easier to chew.
Beef jerky was originally created as a way to preserve food before refrigeration became widespread.
Over time, people enjoy the savory and rich taste as well as the chewy texture of this product, so beef jerky is still a favorite among many people.
When making beef jerky at home, you can marinate the beef with your favorite spices, either a dry rub or sauce before dehydrating it.
What are the differences between chicken jerky vs beef jerky?
Chicken jerky and beef jerky are mainly different from each other due to the difference in the main ingredient.
Here are what makes chicken jerky and beef jerky apart from each other:
| Chicken jerky | Beef jerky | |
| Ingredients | Chicken breast | Beef |
| Appearance | Usually lighter in color (dark yellow to bright brown) | Darker in color (dark red or brown) |
| Taste | Salty, but milder than beef jerky | Salty, similar to beef sausage but richer in flavor |
| Nutrient value | Lower in fat, cholesterol, and sodium | Higher in fat, sodium, iron |
| Popularity | Less popular | More popular |
What are the similarities between chicken jerky vs beef jerky?
Despite the aforementioned chicken jerky and beef jerky, there are also several features in common between these two kinds of snacks:
1. Chicken jerky and beef jerky are made in the same way
The cooking method to make chicken jerky and beef jerky is basically the same.
The meat is marinated with any kind of favorite spices before being dehydrated.
2. Chicken jerky and beef jerky can come in different flavors and sizes
Another similarity between chicken jerky and beef jerky is that both can come in different flavors and sizes.
If you opt for store-bought jerky, you should read the label carefully to make sure the flavor meets your taste buds.
If you want to give a new flavor a try, it is better to stick with a smaller package.
3. Chicken jerky and beef jerky are perfect on-the-go snacks
Chicken jerky and beef jerky have a long shelf life.
The salt and dehydrating process help keep the meat from being contaminated by bacteria.
Therefore, they are great for on-the-go snacks that can keep you from starving on a long trip.
4. Chicken jerky and beef jerky are not ideal to consume frequently
Jerky, no matter what kind of meat, is usually high in sodium.
Although chicken jerky has a lower sodium content than its beef counterpart, they are both not ideal to consume on a daily basis because they can pose some risk to your heart health.
Which one is better?
| Product Comparison | Chef's Cut Real Smoked Chicken Breast Honey Barbecue Jerky, 14 Ounce | Jack Link's Beef Jerky, Original - Flavorful Meat Snack for Lunches,... |
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It can be tough to decide which type of jerky is best for you because beef jerky and chicken jerky are both delicious.
However, if you are looking for a diet-friendly snack, chicken jerky stands out as a better choice.
It has fewer calories and fat, as well as is lower in sodium.
It will be just fine to have beef jerky occasionally because you won’t want to miss the best taste of this snack.