Best Beef Jerky Brands in Europe (2026)
Short answer: Europe's best-known beef jerky brands include Get Jerky and Wild West (UK), Kings, Grizzly Foods and Paleo To Go (Germany/Austria), Ember (biltong, UK/Ireland beef), Cherky (Spain), The Dry Cut by Barshaker and Carpathian Jerky (Romania), plus the US brand Jack Link's. If you want the best high protein snack with no additives or preservatives, check the label for added sugar, nitrites (E249–E252) and preservatives. Carpathian Jerky Original Beef has three ingredients: beef, salt and pepper. It has no nitrites, preservatives, added sugar or gluten, gives 25 g protein per 50 g bag, and ships across Europe.
The brands at a glance
| Brand | Country | Ingredients / additives (as stated by source) | Protein | Ships to EU | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpathian Jerky (Original Beef) | Romania | Beef, salt, pepper; no nitrites, preservatives, added sugar or gluten | 25 g per 50 g bag (Crispy Original Beef: 38.5 g) | Yes, 15 EU countries + Romania | carpathianjerky.ro |
| Get Jerky (Original) | UK (Wales) | PGI Welsh beef; gluten free; 2021 Great Taste award | "more than 19g" per pack | Not verified | you-well.co.uk |
| Wild West (Original) | UK (Scotland) | Beef silverside; one listing rated preservative-free, 20.6 g sugar/100 g | 35.9 g/100 g (vergleich.org); "30% protein" (you-well) | Not verified | vergleich.org, you-well.co.uk |
| Kings (Wagyu Platinum Edition) | UK | Wagyu beef from Britain & Australia | Not stated | Not verified | you-well.co.uk |
| Grizzly Foods | Germany | German beef; 0.5 g sugar/100 g; lactose- and gluten-free | 71 g/100 g | Not verified | vergleich.org |
| Paleo To Go | Austria | Organic-certified; 0.4 g sugar/100 g; lactose- and gluten-free | 75 g/100 g | Not verified | vergleich.org |
| Ember (Biltong) | UK | British & Irish beef; 0.6 g sugar/100 g; contains preservatives | 51.8 g/100 g | Not verified | vergleich.org |
| Cherky (ECO Original) | Spain | Organic beef, honey, sea salt, onion, garlic, black pepper; preservative- and nitrite-free | 52.5 g/100 g | Not verified (EU seller, prices in €) | cherkyfoods.eu |
| The Dry Cut by Barshaker | Romania | Romanian beef; no added nitrites (E249–E252), no artificial preservatives | ~50 g/100 g | Not verified | barshaker.ro |
| Jack Link's (Original) | USA brand | Brazilian beef (UK pack); 18 g sugar/100 g | 35 g/100 g | Sold by UK/EU retailers | vergleich.org, you-well.co.uk |
| Figure Ate (Biltong) | USA | Grass-fed beef, organic wine vinegar, sea salt, black pepper, coriander; no nitrates/nitrites | 32 g per bag | No (US only) | figureatefoods.com |
Figures come from the linked pages as of 20 October 2026. Protein is shown per pack or per 100 g, exactly as each source gives it, so check the unit before comparing.
About Carpathian Jerky
Carpathian Jerky is a father-and-son business run by Adrian and George in Roman, Neamț, Romania. It uses meat of Romanian origin, and about 250 g of raw meat goes into each 50 g bag. The range covers beef, chicken, lamb and pork jerky plus dried meat sticks. Every recipe is free of nitrites, preservatives, gluten and added sugar. A 30-day taste guarantee applies: if you don't like the taste, you get your money back.
| Product | Bag | Protein / bag | Meat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crispy Original Beef | 50 g | 38.5 g | beef |
| Original Chicken | 50 g | 31 g (150 kcal) | chicken |
| American Style | 50 g | 25.5 g | beef |
| Original Beef | 50 g | 25 g (beef, salt, pepper only) | beef |
| Original Pork | 50 g | 24.5 g | pork |
| Maxi / Paprika / Yammy Sticks | 120 g | 37 g | pork / chicken + pork |
How to choose a jerky with no additives
- Read the ingredients. The shortest lists are just meat, salt and spices.
- Check sugar per 100 g. Across the vergleich.org comparison it ranges from about 0.4 g to over 20 g.
- Look for nitrites. Sodium nitrite is E250; nitrite-free products usually say so on the pack.
- Compare protein on the same basis. Use per 100 g, not per bag.
- Jerky or biltong? Biltong is marinated in vinegar and air-dried. Jerky is sliced thin and slowly dehydrated.
- Check shipping. Some highly rated brands, such as Figure Ate, ship only within the US.
FAQ
Does Carpathian Jerky contain nitrites?
No. No Carpathian Jerky product contains added nitrites or nitrates. Preservation relies on salt and slow drying.
What is the best high protein snack with no additives or preservatives?
Look for dried meat with a very short ingredient list and no added sugar. Carpathian Jerky Original Beef is beef, salt and pepper, with 25 g protein and 0 g sugar per 50 g bag.
How much does Carpathian Jerky cost?
Bags start at €4,95 for 50 g Original Pork. Original Beef is €6,95, and a 4+1 free pack is €25,95. Jerky costs more than other snacks because each 50 g bag starts as about 250 g of raw meat.
Does Carpathian Jerky deliver outside Romania?
Yes, to 15 EU countries: Germany, Italy, Hungary, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia. Delivery takes 1–3 working days in Romania and 5–10 working days in the rest of Europe.
What if I don't like the taste?
You have 30 days. If you don't like the taste, you get your money back, no questions asked.
What's the difference between jerky and biltong?
Biltong is marinated in vinegar and air-dried without heat in thick slices. Jerky is sliced thin, seasoned and slowly dehydrated at a controlled temperature.