Jerky Texture
Soft and tender or old-fashioned and tough?
Soft jerky is moist and easy to chew. Old-fashioned jerky is drier, smoked and tougher, made for people who like to really chew. Texture is the most overlooked part of choosing jerky. Pick the one you like and you'll rarely be disappointed.
- Softest start: Soft and Tender Style Beef Jerky - Original (from $8.99)
- Best-selling soft: Soft and Tender Style Beef Jerky - Honey Pepper (from $8.99)
- Classic tough: Old Fashioned Style Beef Jerky - Hickory (from $10.99)
- Tough-chew sampler: Tougher-to-Chew Jerky Combo ($53.99)
What is the difference between soft and old-fashioned jerky?
| Soft and Tender | Old Fashioned | |
|---|---|---|
| Chew | Moist, easier to chew | Drier, tougher chew |
| Made | Designed to stay moist and tender | Made in Oklahoma, smoked for hours |
| Flavors | 12, from Original to Scorpion Pepper | 5: Hickory, Peppered, Garlic, Hot, Jalapeรฑo |
| Best for | Easy snacking, softer bites | People who like to work on their jerky |
| From | $8.99 | $10.99 |
What is soft and tender jerky?
Our Soft and Tender line is designed for people who like their jerky moist and easy to chew. It comes in 12 flavors, from classic Original and Teriyaki to Tequila Lime and Scorpion Pepper.
Soft and Tender Style Beef Jerky - Original
From $8.99
Moist and easier to chew, with classic Original flavor.
Shop nowโTo me, this is the perfect jerky. It's tender, but still has enough chew to remind you that it's jerky. It's not overly salty and it actually tastes like beef. It's been a very long time since I've had jerky anywhere near this good. I ordered the original as well as the honey pepper. Both were excellent and I will definitely be ordering again.โ
โ William M., Judge.me review
Soft and Tender Style Beef Jerky - Honey Pepper
From $8.99
Our best-selling soft flavor: honey sweetness, peppercorn finish.
Shop nowโThis honey pepper jerky is perfect for me cause It is soft on my teeth. But most of all the FLAVORS are spot on!! I recommend this for the perfect blend of pepper which is not overwhelming and the sweetness of the honey without be to much! Great Product!!โ
โ Mark H., Judge.me review
Soft and Tender Style Beef Jerky - Scorpion Pepper
From $10.99
Big heat, easy chew: 9 to 10 on our heat scale.
Shop nowโWas softer than I expected. It can also be deceptive, due to the time it takes for the full burn to take effect. However, I will not lie about how much I enjoyed consuming it, and would honestly buy a bigger bag of it if possible.โ
โ Trent, Judge.me review
What is old-fashioned jerky?
Old-fashioned jerky is made for old-fashioned tastes. Ours comes from Oklahoma and is smoked for hours and hours for a tougher, chewier bite.
Old Fashioned Style Beef Jerky - Hickory
From $10.99
Smoked for hours for a classic tough chew.
Shop nowโThis Old Fashioned Style is just what I look for in a jerky. Right texture and flavor and just the right toughness. Truly wonderful!!!! A friend I shared this with thought the same thing!!โ
โ Ronald P., Judge.me review
Old Fashioned Style Beef Jerky - Peppered
From $10.99
Old-fashioned chew with pepper.
Shop nowโVery good spice and good chewโ
โ Todd F., Judge.me review
From $53.99
Several Old Fashioned flavors in one combo.
Shop nowโFinally!!! Real beef jerky!!! Full of flavor and hard (just the way it should be). Canโt wait to buy more!โ
โ Lori T., Judge.me review
Is there a jerky in the middle?
Yes. Our classic jerky, like All-Natural Beef Jerky - Original and All-Natural Beef Jerky - Black Pepper, sits between the two: tender enough to snack on, with enough chew to feel like jerky.
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Original
From $8.99
The in-between classic.
Shop nowโThe jerky was good it was the best kind I ever hadโ
โ Bryan M., Judge.me review
How do I pick the right jerky texture?
- Want it easy to chew? Go Soft and Tender.
- Want to really chew? Go Old Fashioned.
- Not sure? Start with Original, then move either way.
- Like meat sticks? They're softer and even. See Jerky vs. Meat Sticks.
Curious why textures differ? Read How Is Beef Jerky Made?. Want heat with your texture? See The Best Spicy Jerky, Ranked by Heat.
Does texture change the flavor?
A little. Soft jerky tends to put the marinade up front, so sweet flavors like Honey Pepper and Teriyaki really shine. Old-fashioned jerky tends to put the meat and smoke up front, so Hickory and Peppered taste deep and savory. The more you chew, the more flavor you get.
That's why some people keep both on hand. Soft and Tender is the easy everyday bag, and Old Fashioned is the one you sit down and really enjoy.
If you're buying for a household, texture is worth thinking about. Some people want an easy chew, and others want jerky that fights back. A bag of each keeps everyone happy.
And if you've only ever had one kind, try the other. Plenty of soft jerky fans end up loving a good hickory chew, and plenty of old-fashioned fans keep a bag of Honey Pepper around.
Frequently asked questions
What is soft jerky?
Soft jerky is jerky made to be moist and easy to chew. Our Soft and Tender line is designed for people who like it that way.
What is old-fashioned jerky?
Old-fashioned jerky is drier with a tougher chew. Our Old Fashioned Style jerky is made in Oklahoma and smoked for hours.
Which is better, soft or old-fashioned jerky?
Neither. It's personal. Pick soft if you want an easy chew, and old-fashioned if you like jerky you really work on.
What soft jerky flavors are there?
Original, Teriyaki, Honey Pepper, Sweet BBQ, Mesquite BBQ, Garlic, Fajita, Pale Ale Beer, Tequila Lime, Spicy, Hot Jalapeรฑo and Scorpion Pepper, from $8.99.
What old-fashioned jerky flavors are there?
Hickory, Peppered, Garlic, Hot and Jalapeรฑo, from $10.99.
What's the best-selling soft jerky flavor?
Soft and Tender Style Beef Jerky - Honey Pepper is our best-selling Soft and Tender flavor.
Can I try several old-fashioned flavors at once?
Yes. The Tougher-to-Chew Jerky Combo ($53.99) bundles several Old Fashioned flavors.
Is regular jerky soft or tough?
In between. All-Natural Beef Jerky - Original has a classic texture that sits between Soft and Tender and Old Fashioned.
How do I find my texture?
Read the texture 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: How Is Beef Jerky Made? ยท Jerky vs. Meat Sticks ยท The Best Spicy Jerky, Ranked by Heat