One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “How long does JEEERKS Beef Jerky last?”

Well, not only has beef jerky long been a favourite snack to many, it’s also a favourite snack with a very long life!

Preserving meat by drying has been done by our earliest ancestors as a means of storing food for periods when it was less available. And one of the biggest benefits of JEERKS beef jerky, is that it lasts for extended periods of time without refrigeration – Making it the perfect ‘on the go’ snack.


Why does it have such a long shelf life?

There is a reason our beef jerky lasts so long…

When beef is prepared for jerky, nearly all the visible fat is removed, making the beef used in our beef jerky extra lean.

Why? Not only does the removal of fat make the beef jerky taste better, it is also better for you as the process stops the fat from spoiling the rest of the jerky.

To increase the jerky’s resistance to spoilage the following specific preservation techniques are used:

• Dehydration

Bacteria and enzymes that would usually spoil meat quickly, if not refrigerated, need moisture to survive. However, the drying process removes moisture thereby creating an environment which is difficult for bacteria and any other spoiling nasties to survive.

• Curing

The salt used to marinate our beef jerky is not just to improve the taste (but let’s face it, it does). Salt draws any excess moisture out of the beef too, making curing a highly effective preserving technique.


How long is the shelf life?

The shelf life of beef jerky of course depends on the ‘best before date’ and how the jerky is stored, but in some cases, JEERKS beef jerky can last 1-2 years in the pantry!

This really does make it the perfect snack to put away for a rainy day.

What can you do to make it ‘live’ even longer?

If you’re anything like me, you want your beef jerky to last as long as possible!

So, what can you do to make it ‘live’ even longer?

Like any food (long lasting or not), it’s important to store it in the correct way. This can make the difference between a product that will last months and one that will last years.

Here are my two main tips for storage:

• Store in a cool dry place

As Beef Jerky is dry, it is actually prone to absorbing moisture. So, it’s important to store it in a cool, dry place away from heat or moisture.

• Keep Oxygen out

Oxygen has a degrading effect on preserved food. If you’ve opened your beef jerky packet and have some left over, keep it in an airtight container to limit the amount of oxygen exposure.


Perfect for Camping, Hiking, Fishing and even Survival

With the long, long life of beef jerky, it’s not surprising that it is a popular snack to take camping, hiking, fishing, or on road trips and other outdoor adventures.

But did you know that it’s even a recommended food for survival?

Yes, you read right. Beef jerky is also popular among survivalists because of its high protein and longevity qualities.

So, whether you’re in the wilderness, in a disaster situation, or your power has gone out, leaving your refrigerator or freezer virtually useless, beef jerky really is the perfect snack to have on hand in case of an emergency.

What are you waiting for? An emergency? Stock up on your JEEERKS beef jerky today!