Meat sticks are jerky's easier cousin. They're soft, they come in single wrappers and they fit in a pocket. These are the best ones you can buy right now, from clean-label grass-fed sticks to the classic snap of a Slim Jim.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Chomps Original Grass-Fed Beef Stick
- Best value grass-fed: Archer Original Grass-Fed Beef Stick
- Best turkey stick: Chomps Original Turkey Stick
- Best classic: Slim Jim Giant Original Smoked Meat Stick
- Best smoked sausage: Duke's Original Recipe Smoked Shorty Sausages
- Best beef and pork: Vermont Smoke & Cure Original Beef & Pork Stick
1. Chomps Original Grass-Fed Beef Stick
Best for: Clean-label snacking
Chomps makes its sticks from grass-fed, grass-finished beef with a short ingredient list and zero sugar. The Original has a mild, very beefy flavor, and taste testers often rank it at the top of beef stick roundups. It's sold at most big grocery and warehouse stores. It costs more per stick than old-school brands, but most owners think it's worth it.
What we like
- Strong, real beef flavor
- Zero sugar, short ingredient list
- Easy to find in multipacks
Keep in mind
- Pricier per stick than mass-market brands
2. Archer Original Grass-Fed Beef Stick
Best for: Grass-fed sticks for less money
Archer, formerly Country Archer, makes grass-fed beef sticks that reviewers often rank right behind Chomps. The Original has a warm, earthy spice note that sets it apart. Warehouse stores sell big boxes of the mini sticks, which are great for kids' lunches. Older packaging may still say Country Archer.
What we like
- Grass-fed beef
- Distinct, slightly spiced flavor
- Mini sizes for kids
Keep in mind
- Spice note won't suit everyone
3. Chomps Original Turkey Stick
Best for: People who want a leaner stick
If you'd rather skip red meat, Chomps also makes turkey sticks with the same short ingredient list and zero sugar. The Original turkey stick is mild and savory, with a softer flavor than the beef version. It's a good pick for kids or anyone who finds beef sticks too rich.
What we like
- Leaner than most beef sticks
- Mild flavor kids like
Keep in mind
- Less bold than beef
4. Slim Jim Giant Original Smoked Meat Stick
Best for: Cheap, nostalgic snacking
Slim Jim is the meat stick almost everyone has tried. The Giant Original is smoky, salty and tangy with that well-known snap. It's made from a blend of meats and isn't trying to be a health food, but it's cheap, shelf-stable and sold in nearly every store. Buy it in bulk boxes for the best price.
What we like
- Very low price
- Sold everywhere
- Classic tangy, smoky flavor
Keep in mind
- Longer ingredient list than premium sticks
- Lower protein per stick
5. Duke's Original Recipe Smoked Shorty Sausages
Best for: A meatier, sausage-style snack
Duke's shorties are short, thick smoked sausages that taste more like real link sausage than a typical meat stick. The Original Recipe is seasoned with garlic and herbs and comes loose in a resealable bag. Owners like them for hunting trips and tailgates. Duke's also makes spicier flavors.
What we like
- Hearty, sausage-like bite
- Resealable bag
Keep in mind
- Not individually wrapped
6. Vermont Smoke & Cure Original Beef & Pork Stick
Best for: Fans of a rich, snappy stick
Vermont Smoke & Cure blends beef and pork for a richer, juicier stick with a good snap. The brand uses meat raised without antibiotics and smokes its sticks over wood. Reviewers like the texture, though it's on the salty side. You'll find it at Whole Foods and many regular grocery stores.
What we like
- Juicy, snappy texture
- Raised without antibiotics
Keep in mind
- Higher in sodium
How to choose a meat stick
Meat sticks differ mainly in the meat they use, how much sugar they add and how much they cost.
| What matters to you | Look for | Pick from this list |
|---|---|---|
| Clean ingredients | Grass-fed, zero sugar, short label | Chomps, Archer |
| Leaner snack | Turkey sticks | Chomps Original Turkey |
| Lowest price | Big national brands, bulk boxes | Slim Jim |
| Rich, juicy bite | Beef and pork blends, sausage styles | Vermont Smoke & Cure, Duke's |
Check sodium. Almost every meat stick is salty. If you're watching salt, compare labels and stick to one per snack.
Buy in bulk. Multipacks and warehouse boxes cut the cost per stick a lot, and individually wrapped sticks keep for months in the pantry.
Mind the storage label. Most wrapped sticks are shelf-stable until opened. Loose sausages in a bag, like Duke's, should be eaten within a few days of opening or kept cold, so follow what the package says.
Think about the eater. For kids, mini sticks and mild flavors are easiest. For hikes and hunts, pick sticks with more protein so one or two actually hold you over.
Meat sticks vs. jerky
Jerky is whole-muscle meat that's sliced and dried. Meat sticks are made from ground meat stuffed into a casing, then smoked and dried. That's why sticks are softer and easier to eat, especially for kids. If you want a chewier snack, check our best beef jerky brands.
Making your own
Want to make sticks at home? A jerky gun can pipe seasoned ground meat into stick shapes for your dehydrator. See our picks for the best jerky guns. Follow USDA guidance and heat ground meat to 160°F (165°F for ground poultry) before or during drying.
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