Why does beef jerky contain sugar?

When looking at the ingredient list of Beef Jerky, one ingredient might particularly catch your eye: sugar. It is obvious that excessive sugar consumption can be associated with negative health effects. However, increasingly even the smallest amounts of sugar are being demonized.

But is a little sugar really harmful to your health? And why do the strips of dried meat contain sugar at all?

Why does Beef Jerky contain sugar at all?

Depending on the manufacturer, Beef Jerky usually contains either sugar or another sweetener. In addition to white table sugar or brown sugar, glucose or natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup are used to make the dried beef. All these sweeteners contribute to different final results in taste and texture due to their special properties.

The sugar content in industrially produced jerky can vary between 0 and 10 grams per 50-gram pack. The sugar contained not only contributes to the characteristic Beef Jerky flavor but also affects its texture. While sugar-free products often have a hard texture, very sugary variants can be too soft. Sugar has so-called hygroscopic properties: this means it can bind moisture from the air, keeping the jerky tender for a longer period. Furthermore, sugar in Beef Jerky can contribute to increased shelf life. As a natural preservative, it enables longer-lasting freshness of the meat together with the salt contained.

We are therefore convinced that the golden mean leads to a perfect final result and jerky should contain neither too much nor too little sugar. When buying dried meat, you should therefore take a look at the nutrients contained. We recommend choosing a product with a moderate sugar content and a high protein content. Artificial preservatives should be completely avoided.

How much sugar is harmless?

It is now almost known to every adult that consuming large amounts of sweets, soft drinks, and sugary processed products is unhealthy. Undoubtedly, it is better for our health to limit daily sugar consumption. However, many health-conscious people go a step further and eliminate sugar completely from their diet.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies a daily sugar intake of at most 50 grams for adults and 30 to 42 grams for children and adolescents as largely harmless. The recommended daily amount refers to "free sugar", meaning all types of sugar contained in both foods and drinks. This therefore includes not only the consumption of ice cream, chocolate, and the like but also natural fruit juices and fruit. Accordingly, it is recommended to enjoy even many healthy foods in moderation. A sugar amount of 50 grams would correspond, for example, to about 300 grams of grapes, a large glass of orange juice, two chocolate bars, or a small bottle of cola.

How much sugar does Beef Jerky contain?

Simple Jerky contains, depending on the flavor, a few grams of sugar per pack. Our Smoky Original is particularly low in sugar with 3.7 grams of sugar per 50-gram pack or 1.85 grams per 25-gram pack. To exceed the WHO recommendations, you would have to consume 14 large packs per day. Some varieties like Hawaiian Teriyaki are a bit higher in sugar with 5 grams per 50-gram pack and 2.5 grams per 25-gram pack. Even from these, you could theoretically enjoy 10 large packs daily without consuming too much sugar. For comparison: an apple contains about 12 grams of sugar and is thus a significantly sweeter snack than a protein-rich pack of Beef Jerky.

For the production of Simple Jerky, we use small amounts of sugar. Thanks to the ingredients contained, our jerky has a moisture content of 45 percent and is neither too dry nor too wet. Beef Jerky without sugar would not have the taste and texture we desire. Our recipes contain some sugar to achieve the tender texture, the perfect bite, and the delicious taste of the thin strips. We avoid a too high sugar content and use only as much as we consider necessary to provide you with a perfect taste experience.

Frequently asked questions: Why does Beef Jerky contain sugar?

How much sugar does Simple Jerky contain?

The sugar content of Simple Jerky varies from flavor to flavor. Austrian Style and Salt & Pepper have almost no sugar content with 0.6g (per 100g) and <0.5g (per 100g) respectively.

Is Beef Jerky with sugar unhealthy?

Beef Jerky contains large amounts of animal protein and numerous other nutrients that are very important for your health. Our Simple Jerky is also low in sugar with a sugar content of at most 5 grams per pack. According to WHO, you should not consume more than 50 grams of sugar daily - a pack of Beef Jerky is therefore well below this amount.

Why is sugar important for Beef Jerky?

A small amount of sugar contributes to a pleasant texture, a good taste, and a long shelf life of Beef Jerky.