A Growthbuster ranking of the meaty misfits redefining meat snacks. No gas station Slim Jims allowed (Sorry, Macho Man!).
There was a time when “meat snack” meant grabbing the omnipresent Slim Jim next to a register and hoping Macho Man didn't snap into it...or you. But the game has changed. Meat snacks are having a moment.
American Wagyu in a wrapper. Maple-glazed salami in your glovebox. Herb-packed turkey sticks that hit like a chef-made snack built for macros. This is the new wave of portable protein, and these seven brands are leading the charge.
🥇 1. Snake River Farms — Wagyu Meat Sticks
Snake River Farms doesn’t play around. This stick is made with American Wagyu and eats like it. Juicy, tender, and ridiculously flavorful. Rich and salty in the best way, with a deep savory punch that hits different.
You taste the quality with every bite, and this is the Rolls-Royce of meat snacks.
🥈 2. Carnivore Snacks — Ribeye
Carnivore Snacks makes one of the most indulgent meat snacks on the planet. The ribeye is flaky, wafer-thin, and melts like meat candy. Easily one of the tastiest bite-for-bite snacks in the category.
At nearly $40 a bag, you’ll want to ration these for special occasions. Good luck not eating the whole thing in one sitting.
🥉 3. Delicious — Beef Jerky
Delicious is a New Mexico mom-and-pop shop that has been around for a long time. They make massive one-pound bags of jerky for around $40, which feels like a steal once you’ve tasted it.
The green chile flavor is the standout. It’s bold, smoky, and just spicy enough. The jerky is dry and crunchy, almost like a meat chip. Big slabs of beef you’ll end up snacking on endlessly.
🏅 4. Schaller & Weber — Crown Maple Salami Stick
Schaller & Weber goes in a different direction. Most meat sticks are made from beef, turkey, or chicken. This one is salami, and it stands out right away.
The Crown Maple collab brings a light sweetness that makes it taste like breakfast. Pair it with orange juice and you’ve got a surprisingly elite combo.
5. Lorissa’s Kitchen — Herb-alicious Turkey Stick
Lorissa’s Kitchen has just undergone a rebrand, and it absolutely nails it: clean design, strong shelf presence, and even better flavors.
The Herb-alicious Turkey Stick is the standout. Salty, herby, and super craveable. One of those snacks you finish before you even realize it’s gone.
6. Chomps — Meat Sticks
Chomps is the Toyota Camry of meat snacks. Dependable, consistent, and always there when you need it.
The Jalapeño stick is my go-to, but I’m also into the Taco and Italian flavors. Chomps might be the most successful brand on this list, but the texture can lean a little dry at times. That’s why it slid down the charts.
7. Archer — Rosemary Turkey Stick
Archer’s Rosemary Turkey Stick delivers bold flavor with an impressive protein-to-calorie ratio. It’s clean, lean, and easy to keep in rotation.
Personally, I think it could use a little more fat to round it out, but it’s still a solid execution and earns its spot at number seven.
The Final Bite
The best meat snacks today are doing more than just riding the protein wave. They’re carving out real shelf space with bold flavors, clean ingredients, and clear intent.
This list is proof that small brands can outflavor the big dogs, win loyal fans, and turn a meat snack into a cult following. The category is growing, and taste runs the show.
Disclaimer: This article was briefed and Written by Growthbuster. Edited by AI. Then polished and published by Growthbuster.
We help food and beverage brands stop blending in and start lifting off online and at the shelf.
