Frequently Asked Questions

We get a lot of questions about our jerky, so we thought we would provide you with the most common questions and answers to them. If you have any questions, comments or raves about our products, send us an e-mail at info@chipsamericanjerky.com.

Q: What is Jerky?
A: Jerky is a nutrient-dense meat that has been made lightweight by drying. Because most of the moisture is removed, it is shelf stable. It can be stored without refrigeration, thus making it a handy food for backpackers and others who don't have access to refrigerators. Jerky is a food known at least since ancient Egypt. Humans made jerky from animal meat that was too big to eat all at once, such as bear, buffalo, or whales. Our word "jerky" came from the Spanish word "charque." (From the U.S.D.A. website on beef jerky)

Q: Is Dried Meat Safe?
A: Drying is the world's oldest and most common method of food preservation. The scientific principal of preserving food by drying is that by removing moisture, enzymes cannot efficiently contact or react with the food. Whether these enzymes are bacterial, fungal, or naturally occurring, preventing this enzymatic action preserves the food from biological action or spoiling." (From the U.S.D.A. website on beef jerky)

Q: What kind of meat do you use?
A: We use inspected and certified beef round. It is much like the beef round roasts you see in your grocery store, only larger. We slice our beef across the grain to make a tender beef jerky for you that's superior to most other products on the market.

Q: How long will my jerky last?
A: Our packaged jerky, unopened, has a shelf life of about 6 months. We are being conservative because we want you to have the freshest product available. The U.S.D.A. states on their website, "Commercially packaged jerky can be kept 12 months." Once you open the package, however, you subject the meat to the outside environment so please, eat it soon. If you are unable finish it or your friends don't beg you to share with them, please close the package tightly and refrigerate it if possible. When exposed to the outside air, your jerky will continue to dry out and we don't want you eating totally dried out, brittle jerky. Though it should be safe, it won't be as tasty as when it's fresh.

Q: How much sodium is in our Jerky?
A: We use just enough salt to preserve our product but not too much to overpower the flavor. We are lower in sodium than most other beef jerky products on the market - click here to read more about our sodium content. Also, we are a great snack and food alternative to other items that are higher in sodium, per serving, such as Lasagna 490 mg, Doughnuts 500 mg, Chili con carne, 531mg, Peanut butter 607 mg, Potato chips, up to 1000, Sausage, Frankfurter (Hot Dog) 1,100 mg, Pickles 1,428 mg, Pretzels 1680, Popcorn 1,940 mg, Bacon, 2,500 mg. Chip's American Jerky only has 220 mg of sodium per serving. Only 9% of your daily recommended amount.

Q: Is your beef jerky a tasty on-the-go snack? What about using Chip’s American Jerky as part of a sensible diet for those people trying to lose weight?
A: Well you'll have to try ours and see. I would bet after one taste, you'll have a smile on your face! Beef jerky is a great nutritional value. It is low in calories and carbohydrates and high in protein. It is particularly good for people that are on the South Beach or Atkins diets. For those of you on other dietary plans, a serving of our beef jerky (2 oz) only takes up one “unit” of your daily dietary goal or recommendation. Because our jerky is so lean, this is a great opportunity to get protein into your diet without the high fat content of other foods and other types of meat. We only have 2 grams of fat per serving (2 ounces) and that's only 3 percent of your daily recommended intake. That's a lot of snacking for your dietary dollars.

Q: So why should I buy Chip's American Jerky?
A: Our jerky is a tasty, all natural, convenient on-the-go snack that you can take anywhere. I have spent about 25 years making jerky for my friends and family and now I have taken that homemade jerky recipe and transitioned that from my kitchen to a commercial manufacturer. We kept the process and recipe as close as possible to the way I make it at home. Over my 23 year career in the Air Force, my buddies and I tried jerky all over the U.S. and the world but, we kept coming back to the jerky I made at home. Nothing can compare to HOMEMADE! That's what we have duplicated here for you. Homemade recipe, homemade flavor, homemade jerky for you. (OK, a U.S.D.A. certified manufacturer makes it but, you get the idea!)

Seriously, this is the Best ALL NATURAL Beef Jerky you’ll ever eat. Try us once, and you’ll never forget us. You just can't beat Chip's meat!