Jerky Guide
Buffalo, elk, venison, wild boar, alligator and kangaroo — what each one is like
Exotic jerky is jerky made from meats beyond beef, pork, turkey and chicken. At Jerky.com that means buffalo, elk, venison, wild boar, alligator and kangaroo. This guide covers what each meat is like next to beef jerky, how exotic jerky is made, and which one to try first.
- Closest to beef: Buffalo Jerky - Original (from $10.99)
- Try several at once: Exotic Jerky Sampler Pack ($24.99)
- Lowest-cost way in: 4 pc Adventure Pack: Backwoods Bundle ($13.99)
- Most adventurous: Alligator Jerky - Cajun or Kangaroo Jerky - Original
What counts as exotic jerky?
Exotic jerky is any jerky made from game or uncommon meats. Beef, pork, turkey and chicken are the everyday meats; buffalo, elk, venison, wild boar, alligator and kangaroo are the exotics. The process is the same as beef jerky. The difference is the meat, and that changes the flavor and the chew.
What does each exotic meat taste like?
Buffalo jerky
Buffalo is the easiest step up from beef. Ours is hand-sliced from top-round buffalo and marinated, and it's our best-selling exotic jerky. Expect a familiar red-meat flavor in a lean strip. Comes in Original, Teriyaki and Hot.
From $10.99
The beef lover's first exotic.
Shop now“If you like ultra lean steaks, i.e. sirloin, then this is for you, there is no of the fat taste or texture, nothing but some good ol' fashioned red meat!!”
— Jay R., Judge.me review
Elk jerky
Elk jerky is made from whole muscle elk meat and lightly marinated so the meat's own flavor comes through. It's a popular choice with exotic jerky fans. Original, Teriyaki and Hot.
From $10.99
Lightly seasoned so you taste the elk.
Shop now“elk jerky is excellent. i compared it to a local butcher's beef jerky, and the elk was way more tender, and less satly.”
— matt k., Judge.me review
Venison jerky
Venison is deer meat. Ours is 100% whole muscle venison, seasoned with crushed black pepper, brown sugar and a splash of pineapple juice. It has a mild game flavor that's stronger than buffalo but still easy to like. Original, Teriyaki and Hot.
From $10.99
Classic game jerky with a light game-y edge.
Shop now“It’s delicious and not too chewy!”
— Stephanie, Judge.me review
Wild boar jerky
Wild boar eats more like pork than beef. The Maple flavor pairs sweet maple with that savory pork-like meat. Also comes in Original and Barbecue.
From $10.99
Sweet and savory in one bite.
Shop now“Best of the North (Maple Syrup) and South (Wild Boar), right here in one meaty snack. I wish we could all get along with each other as much as this jerky gets along with my taste buds.”
— Leah, Judge.me review
Alligator jerky
Our alligator jerky is made from farm-raised alligator tenderloin, hand-sliced, seasoned with natural spices and smoked. It comes in Cajun. Reviewers often mention it has a bit more chew than beef.
From $15.99
The one to try when you want a story.
Shop now“Great flavor profile and not really spicy, just great Cajun seasoning. I've had gator bites before and these were just as good. If you're not familiar with gator meat, it's a little chewy, so go in prepared to do some extra chewing.”
— David B., Judge.me review
Kangaroo jerky
Kangaroo is one of our more popular exotic jerkies, mostly because so few people have tried it. Reviewers describe the Original as sweet with a peppery finish.
From $14.99
A true conversation piece.
Shop now“Wasn't sure how I felt about Kangaroo. This was very good. Soft and Chewy. Peppery and sweet. I enjoyed it. Ate as many of the crumbs as I could scrape together. Would definitely try this one again.”
— Harvey Y., Judge.me review
How does exotic jerky compare to beef jerky?
Here's a quick, general guide. Every batch and flavor is a little different, so treat this as a starting point.
| Meat | Flavor vs. beef | Flavors | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | Very close to beef, lean | Original, Teriyaki, Hot | $10.99 |
| Elk | Close to beef, natural meat flavor | Original, Teriyaki, Hot | $10.99 |
| Venison | Mild game flavor | Original, Teriyaki, Hot | $10.99 |
| Wild boar | Closer to pork | Original, Maple, Barbecue | $10.99 |
| Alligator | Unusual, smoked, more chew | Cajun | $15.99 |
| Kangaroo | Unusual, sweet and peppery | Original | $14.99 |
If you like this, try that
- If you like classic beef jerky, try Buffalo Jerky - Original.
- If you like teriyaki beef jerky, try Elk Jerky - Teriyaki or Buffalo Jerky - Teriyaki.
- If you like hot jerky, try Venison Jerky - Hot or Buffalo Jerky - Hot.
- If you like pork or maple flavors, try Wild Boar Jerky - Maple.
- If you like barbecue, try Wild Boar Jerky - Barbecue.
- If you like Cajun seasoning, try Alligator Jerky - Cajun.
- If you like sweet and peppery, try Kangaroo Jerky - Original.
How is exotic jerky made?
Exotic jerky is made the same basic way as beef jerky:
- Slice lean meat into strips.
- Marinate the strips in a seasoning blend.
- Dry them low and slow until they become jerky. Some kinds, like our alligator, are smoked as well.
Our exotic jerkies are made with all-natural ingredients, and several, like our venison, elk and wild boar, list no added MSG or preservatives.
Which exotic jerky should I try first?
Follow this beginner path, one step at a time:
- Start with buffalo. It's the closest to beef.
- Move to elk or venison for a little more game flavor.
- Try wild boar if you like pork or sweet flavors.
- Finish with alligator or kangaroo when you're ready for something truly different.
Or skip the line and try several at once:
From $24.99
Several exotic meats in one pack.
Shop now“I think Venison and Elk are my favorites”
— Pasquale P., Judge.me review
Buffalo, Boar and Venison Exotic Bundle
From $32.97
Buffalo, boar and venison side by side.
Shop now
4 pc Adventure Pack: Backwoods Bundle
From $13.99
Venison and elk jerky plus two exotic meat sticks.
Shop now
Exotic Snack Sticks Variety Pack - 8 Pieces
From $24.99
Exotic sticks and strips for easy snacking.
Shop now“This is a great assortment, a it has little bit of everything. I'm not a fan of hot, but it has a really good flavor, with a kick. The original and Teriyaki were phenomenal. The sticks were all delicious”
— Charles W., Judge.me review
Also worth a look: fish jerky
Fish jerky isn't game meat, but it's another way to try something different. Our Salmon Jerky - Original starts with wild caught Alaskan salmon that's smoked and air dried, and our Rainbow Trout Jerky - Original is farm-raised. Both start at $11.99. Expect a fish flavor, not a beef-like one.
Heading out on the road? See our guide to high-protein road-trip snacks.
Frequently asked questions
What is exotic jerky?
Exotic jerky is jerky made from meats other than the usual beef, pork, turkey or chicken. At Jerky.com that includes buffalo, elk, venison, wild boar, alligator and kangaroo.
What exotic jerky does Jerky.com sell?
Buffalo, elk, venison, wild boar, alligator and kangaroo jerky. The Exotic Jerky Sampler Pack lets you try several at once.
What does exotic jerky taste like?
It depends on the meat. Buffalo, elk and venison eat a lot like beef jerky, wild boar is closer to pork, and alligator and kangaroo are the most unusual of the group.
Is exotic jerky gamey?
Some meats have a mild game flavor. Our venison jerky is described as having just the right amount of game-y flavor, while buffalo is the closest to beef.
Which exotic jerky should I try first?
Start with buffalo, then elk or venison. The 4 pc Adventure Pack: Backwoods Bundle and the Buffalo, Boar and Venison Exotic Bundle are easy ways to try more than one.
How is exotic jerky made?
The same basic way as beef jerky: lean meat is sliced, marinated in seasoning, then dried. Some kinds are smoked too, like our Cajun alligator jerky.
What flavors does exotic jerky come in?
Buffalo, elk and venison come in Original, Teriyaki and Hot. Wild boar comes in Original, Maple and Barbecue, and alligator comes in Cajun.
Do you sell exotic meat sticks?
Yes. The Exotic Snack Sticks Variety Pack - 8 Pieces mixes exotic sticks and strips.
Do you sell fish jerky?
Yes. We carry Salmon Jerky - Original and Rainbow Trout Jerky - Original. They're fish, not game meat, so they taste very different from the jerky above.
How do I find the right jerky for me?
Read 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 and heat levels. To see every exotic meat we carry side by side, visit our exotic jerky guide.
Also from the blog: High-Protein Road-Trip Snacks, The Best Spicy Jerky, Ranked by Heat, Pork Jerky and Bacon Jerky, What Is Turkey Jerky?