Best Jerky Guns (2026)
The best jerky guns for turning seasoned ground meat into even strips and snack sticks, from budget plastic kits to stainless steel.
A jerky gun lets you skip the knife work. You mix seasoning into ground meat, load the tube, and squeeze out strips or sticks that are all the same thickness, so they dry at the same rate. These are the guns worth your money, from cheap starter kits to heavy stainless models.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: LEM Jerky Cannon
- Best stainless steel: WILDDIGIT Stainless Steel Jerky Gun
- Best value: Weston Original Jerky Gun
- Best starter kit: Nesco BJX-5 Jumbo Jerky Works Kit
- Best small gun: LEM Jerky Gun
1. LEM Jerky Cannon
Best for: Regular jerky makers and hunters
The Jerky Cannon is LEM's big, heavy-duty gun. Its tube holds about 1.5 pounds of meat, and it comes with a stainless flat jerky nozzle, a round snack stick nozzle, a barrel brush, and two Backwoods seasoning packs to get you started. Owners like how solid it feels compared to plastic guns. Some reviewers note that real-world capacity is a little under the rated amount once you pack out the air pockets.
What we like
- Sturdy metal build
- Big 1.5 lb tube means fewer refills
- Starter seasoning included
Keep in mind
- Hands get tired on very large batches
- Costs more than plastic starter guns
2. WILDDIGIT Stainless Steel Jerky Gun
Best for: Big batches and snack sticks
WILDDIGIT's gun uses a 304 stainless steel barrel that holds a bit over 2 pounds of meat. The kit comes with five nozzles for flat strips, double strips, round sticks, double sticks and thin meat sticks, plus a set of cleaning brushes. Owners report it holds up well to heavy use. A common complaint is that some meat stays stuck in the nozzle tip after each load.
What we like
- Largest capacity on this list
- Five nozzle shapes
- Stainless barrel is easy to sanitize
Keep in mind
- Metal edges can be sharp when cleaning
3. Weston Original Jerky Gun
Best for: Beginners who want metal on a budget
Weston's Original Jerky Gun has a lightweight aluminum tube that holds up to 1.5 pounds of ground meat. It comes with a stainless double jerky nozzle, a double snack stick nozzle, a sausage funnel, a stomper for packing meat, and two cleaning brushes. It takes apart fully for washing. For the price, it's a lot of gun.
What we like
- Low price for an aluminum tube
- Double nozzles make two strips per squeeze
- Includes a meat stomper and brushes
Keep in mind
- Some plastic parts
4. Nesco BJX-5 Jumbo Jerky Works Kit
Best for: Nesco dehydrator owners trying it for the first time
The Nesco BJX-5 is a complete beginner kit. You get a gun with a see-through tube that holds about 1 pound, three attachments for strips, sticks and double strips, and original-flavor spice and cure packets. It's a natural add-on if you already own a Nesco dehydrator. Owners say the plastic body is fine for occasional batches but can wear out with heavy use.
What we like
- Seasoning and cure included
- Clear tube shows how much meat is left
- Very low price
Keep in mind
- Plastic parts can crack over time
- Smaller tube means more refills
5. LEM Jerky Gun
Best for: Small batches and tight storage
LEM's basic Jerky Gun is the smaller, cheaper sibling of the Jerky Cannon. The plastic tube holds about three-quarters of a pound, and it comes with one flat and one round nozzle plus a Backwoods seasoning pack for 5 pounds of meat. It's a simple way to try gun-made jerky without buying a big kit.
What we like
- Inexpensive
- Seasoning for 5 lb included
Keep in mind
- Small capacity
- Plastic housing
How to choose a jerky gun
Capacity. This is how much meat the tube holds per load. A 1-pound tube is fine for a small batch. If you make 5 pounds or more at a time, a 1.5 to 2 pound tube saves a lot of refilling.
Build. Plastic guns are cheap and light but can crack after many batches. Aluminum and stainless steel cost more and last longer. Stainless is also the easiest to fully clean.
Nozzles. Every gun here does flat strips and round sticks. Double nozzles push out two pieces per squeeze, which is faster. Extra nozzle shapes are nice but not required.
Cleaning. Ground meat gets into every gap. Look for a gun that comes apart fully and includes brushes.
| Gun | Tube capacity | Build | Seasoning included |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEM Jerky Cannon | About 1.5 lb | Metal | Yes |
| WILDDIGIT Stainless | About 2.1 lb | Stainless steel | No |
| Weston Original | Up to 1.5 lb | Aluminum tube | No |
| Nesco BJX-5 | About 1 lb | Plastic | Yes, with cure |
| LEM Jerky Gun | About 0.75 lb | Plastic | Yes |
Food safety for ground meat jerky
Ground meat jerky needs extra care. The USDA notes that ground beef jerky is safer when it is heated to 160°F before or during drying, and that the dehydrator should hold at least 130–140°F the whole time. Use a cure-and-seasoning mix made for ground meat and follow the package amounts exactly. Keep mixed meat in the fridge until it goes in the gun.
What to pair it with
A jerky gun works with any dehydrator, oven or smoker. If you still need a dryer, see our best dehydrators for jerky. For flavor, start with our picks for jerky marinades and seasoning kits, most of which include instructions for ground meat.
Keep reading
The Best Fish for Smoking (and the Ones to Skip)
Which fish smoke best? Compare 18 fish by fat, flavor, best smoking style and wood, plus which lean fish to skip and how to smoke shellfish.
Beef Brisket Injection
A simple beef broth brisket injection that keeps the flat juicy, with how much to use per pound, where to inject and how to keep it safe.
Cajun Beef Jerky
Spicy Cajun beef jerky with a homemade Cajun rub, hot sauce and garlic, heated to the USDA 160°F before drying.