Celebrate National Jerky Day with a delicious snack - choose from beef, turkey, pork, and more for the perfect jerky experience!
Get ready to celebrate National Jerky Day on June 12! This special day has been celebrated since the late 1800s and honors jerky, a delicious snack made from dried meat. Jerky is packed with protein and comes in many different varieties including beef, chicken, pork and even vegan options. It's also incredibly versatile - you can eat it as a snack or add it to your favorite recipes for a flavor boost!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1500s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Jerky's Early Beginnings</div><div class='timeline-text'>Native South Americans began creating a dried meat snack, which was the early form of jerky, thus laying the foundation for the tasty treat we know today.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Jerky’s Popularity Spreads</div><div class='timeline-text'>Jerky became a popular snack among pioneers in North America due its lightweight, non-perishable nature - ideal for long treks and journeys.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1900s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Industrialization of Jerky Making</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the advent of industrial dehydrators, jerky production was scaled up significantly, marking a milestone for commercially available jerky.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1991</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div the='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>USDA Involvement</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United States Department of Agriculture established guidelines for safe meat preparation, including jerky, improving safety standards of jerky sold commercially.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Jerky Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The nation-wide observance of National Jerky Day was established by Jack Link's Beef Jerky to celebrate this long-loved snack.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Jerky Varieties Expand</div><div class='timeline-text'>New flavors and types of jerky, including plant-based jerky, continue to emerge, providing a wide range of options for jerky enthusiasts.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make your own jerky</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Making jerky is a fun and rewarding experience. Get some lean meat, cut it into strips, add your favorite marinade and spices, then bake in the oven or use a dehydrator to make delicious homemade jerky.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go out for jerky</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check out the local butcher shop or specialty store and see what kinds of jerky they have to offer. You may be surprised at the different varieties that are available.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a jerky-making class</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Search out your local cooking school and sign up for a jerky making class. You'll learn how to make different types of jerky, from beef and pork to poultry, turkey and fish.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Throw a Jerky Party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over to sample all the delicious flavors of jerky. Serve it as an appetizer or as the main course, with beer or wine pairings.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Order Jerky Online</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Skip the trip to the store and order some of your favorite flavors online from reliable vendors. Have them delivered right to your door for an added bonus!</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Jerky is a healthy snack</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Jerky is an excellent source of protein and other essential nutrients, making it the perfect snack for health conscious eaters. It's low in fat and provides long lasting energy, so you can get all the nourishment you need without feeling weighed down!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Jerky comes in lots of flavors</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>No matter what kind of jerky you prefer, there is bound to be something to suit your taste buds. Whether you like a classic beef flavor or something more exotic like teriyaki or BBQ, there's sure to be a way to satisfy even the pickiest eater!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Jerky is easy to take anywhere</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Since jerky is dried and packaged just for convenience, you don't have to worry about refrigeration or preservatives. That means you can easily bring a few bags of jerky with you on any outing - whether its for lunch at work or an outdoor camping adventure!</p></div></div>
National Jerky Day is celebrated on June 12 every year. In 2024 National Jerky Day will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
Jun 12
Monday
2024
Jun 12
Wednesday
2025
Jun 12
Thursday
2026
Jun 12
Friday
2027
Jun 12
Saturday