Spicy Jerky
From a little kick to Carolina Reaper
The best spicy jerky depends on how much heat you want. At Jerky.com the ladder runs from JalapeƱo and Sweet & Spicy up through Hot, Habanero and Ghost Pepper, topping out at Carolina Reaper. Here's every step, rated with our own Jerky.com Heat Scale where the product page lists one.
- Mild kick: All-Natural Beef Jerky - Jalapeno (from $8.99)
- Sweet heat: All-Natural Beef Jerky - Sweet & Spicy (from $8.99)
- Real heat: All-Natural Beef Jerky - Hot (from $8.99)
- Hottest: All-Natural Beef Jerky - Carolina Reaper (from $10.99)
- Try the ladder: Hot Jerky Sampler Pack ($19.99)
How hot is each spicy jerky?
Ratings below come straight from each product page's Jerky.com Heat Scale. Where a page doesn't list a number, we describe it in words.
| Flavor | Heat | From |
|---|---|---|
| JalapeƱo | Not-too-hot | $8.99 |
| Sweet & Spicy | Sweet heat | $8.99 |
| Chipotle Bourbon | 6 out of 10 | $8.99 |
| Hot | 7 out of 10 | $8.99 |
| Habanero | 8 to 9 out of 10 | $8.99 |
| Ghost Pepper | 9 to 10 out of 10 | $10.99 |
| Scorpion Pepper (Soft and Tender) | 9 to 10 out of 10 | $10.99 |
| Carolina Reaper | Top of the ladder | $10.99 |
What is a good mild spicy jerky?
Start here if you like a little warmth but still want to taste the beef.
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Jalapeno
From $8.99
A not-too-hot jalapeƱo flavor with a slightly drier texture.
Shop nowāNice size piece and flavorful. Not too spicy.ā
ā Crystal M., Judge.me review
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Sweet & Spicy
From $8.99
Sweet and spicy in balance.
Shop nowāsweet and spicy, really goodā
ā Sherri H., Judge.me review
What is a medium-heat jerky?
Chipotle Bourbon is a 6 on our scale, with real bourbon sweetness against smoky chipotle. Hot is a 7, with habanero and crushed pepper.
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Chipotle Bourbon
From $8.99
6 out of 10. Sweet bourbon meets smoky chipotle.
Shop nowāI've tried about 20 different brands of jerky and I must say that Jerky.com's Chipotle Bourbon beef jerky is the best I've ever had. I'm ready to order more already!!!ā
ā Quinn W., Judge.me review
From $8.99
7 out of 10. Bold habanero and crushed pepper.
Shop nowāJust the right kick, along with a great texture. I cant stop eating it!ā
ā Cole, Judge.me review
What is the hottest jerky?
This is where the heat gets serious. Habanero rates 8 to 9, Ghost Pepper 9 to 10, and Carolina Reaper sits at the top.
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Habanero
From $8.99
8 to 9 out of 10. Full of bold habanero flavor.
Shop nowāIt was tender and spicy just how i like it ! I wont buy jerky anywhere else !ā
ā Nicholas M., Judge.me review
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Ghost Pepper
From $10.99
9 to 10 out of 10. For heat chasers.
Shop nowāI liked the ghost pepper I prefer the Carolina reaper though!ā
ā Marcellis F., Judge.me review
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Carolina Reaper
From $10.99
The top of our heat ladder.
Shop nowāThis stuff is delicious but be wary, it is spicy hot. I love hot and spicy food but OMG. If you're into that then, by all means, this is the jerky for you!ā
ā Arby, Judge.me review
Is there a soft, spicy jerky?
Yes. Our Soft and Tender Scorpion Pepper is made with real scorpion peppers and rates 9 to 10. It's a good pick if you want big heat with an easier chew. Learn more in Soft vs. Old-Fashioned Jerky.
Soft and Tender Style Beef Jerky - Scorpion Pepper
From $10.99
9 to 10 out of 10, with a soft, easy chew.
Shop nowāI've tried all of the hot and spicy varieties from this site thinking that the Carolina Reaper jerky would be the hottest... It actually ended up being the Bricktown Scorpion pepper jerky, I would say simply because it has a lot of spice coating the meat. Good stuff!!Ā¹ā
ā Jon M., Judge.me review
How do I find my heat level?
Climb one step at a time. The Hot Jerky Sampler Pack gives you four 1 oz. bags in order, so you can stop where it stops being fun.
Want heat on the road? See High-Protein Road-Trip Snacks. Want spicy exotic meats? Read What Is Exotic Jerky?.
What should I eat with spicy jerky?
Hot jerky is great on its own, but a few easy pairings make the high end of the ladder more fun. Salty, crunchy snacks like peanuts and sunflower seeds give your mouth a break between bites. A cold drink helps too. And if you're sharing, pass the bag from mild to hot so everyone finds their stopping point.
Spicy jerky is also a fun way to bring heat to the road or the trail. A few hot sticks or a bag of Habanero rides along fine in a backpack or glovebox, and it's a lot more interesting than another granola bar.
One last tip: heat builds as you go. The first piece of Ghost Pepper may feel manageable, and the third will tell you the truth. Take it slow, and enjoy the climb.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hottest jerky at Jerky.com?
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Carolina Reaper sits at the top of our heat ladder. Our Ghost Pepper page even says to step up to Carolina Reaper if you need it hotter.
What does the Jerky.com Heat Scale mean?
It's our 1 to 10 rating for how hot a flavor is. Chipotle Bourbon is a 6, Hot is a 7, Habanero is an 8 to 9, and Ghost Pepper and Scorpion Pepper are 9 to 10.
What's a good mild spicy jerky?
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Jalapeno is described as not-too-hot, and All-Natural Beef Jerky - Sweet & Spicy balances sweet and heat.
What's the best way to try several hot jerkies?
The Hot Jerky Sampler Pack ($19.99) climbs the ladder in 1 oz. bags: Hot, Habanero, Ghost Pepper, then Carolina Reaper.
Is there a spicy jerky with a soft texture?
Yes. Soft and Tender Style Beef Jerky - Scorpion Pepper is in our Soft and Tender line and rates 9 to 10 on our heat scale.
Is there a spicy jerky that's also sweet?
Try All-Natural Beef Jerky - Sweet & Spicy or All-Natural Beef Jerky - Chipotle Bourbon, which pairs bourbon sweetness with smoky chipotle.
Do you have spicy exotic jerky?
Yes. Buffalo, elk and venison all come in Hot. See What Is Exotic Jerky? or our exotic jerky guide.
What's a hot jerky for heat lovers on a budget?
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Hot starts at $8.99 and rates 7 out of 10.
How do I find my heat level?
Read the heat section of our What Jerky Is Right for You? guide, or Take the Quiz, Get a Free Bag.
Find your jerky
Not sure where to start? Our What Jerky Is Right for You? guide breaks down meats, flavors, heat and texture.
Keep reading: What Is Exotic Jerky? Ā· Soft vs. Old-Fashioned Jerky Ā· Jerky vs. Meat Sticks