National Craft Jerky Day Date in the current year: November 27, 2025

Jerky is a meat product made from lean cuts of meat that are sliced into thin strips and dried for preservation. Most of the fat is trimmed beforehand to reduce spoilage, and the meat is salted or marinated to inhibit bacterial growth and enhance flavor.

Drying is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. The term “jerky” comes from the Quechua word ch’arki (Spanish spelling: charqui), meaning dried, salted meat. Originally, dried meat was used as an ingredient in soups, stews, and other dishes, rather than as a snack. Over time, however, it has become a popular snack on its own.

Jerky can be made from various domesticated and game animals, including beef, pork, lamb, turkey, goat, bison, and deer. Typically, the meat is marinated and seasoned with spices or cold-smoked before drying to develop additional flavor.

The drying process occurs at relatively low temperatures. To prevent bacterial growth before the meat is fully dry, the drying process must be quick. Since high heat would cook the meat, it is sliced very thin to speed up the process. Industrial jerky is dried in large ovens, while homemade jerky can be prepared in a conventional oven or a specialized dehydrator.

Mass-produced jerky is made using standardized ingredients and processes that enable the production of a high volume of the product with a consistent taste and long shelf life. Often, this type of jerky is made from lower-cost cuts of meat to reduce costs, and it may contain preservatives and artificial flavors. Additionally, some manufacturers use finely ground and formed meat instead of whole-muscle meat slices. Although these snacks are sold as jerky, they usually contain more fat and artificial preservatives than traditional jerky.

Craft jerky, on the other hand, is made in smaller batches with more manual control at every stage. It relies on higher-quality meat, slower drying, and unique marinades and spice blends without artificial preservatives or other additives. Many craft jerky businesses use family recipes passed down for generations. Craft jerky may have a shorter shelf life than mass-produced jerky, but it has a more unique and pronounced flavor. Craft jerky also tends to retain more of the meat’s natural nutritional content.

National Craft Jerky Day was launched in 2016 by Long Beach Jerky Co., a California-based craft jerky producer. The company’s founder, Alex Naticchioni, learned to make jerky from his grandfather, Albert, and he chose November 27, Albert’s birthday, as the date for National Craft Jerky Day.

National Craft Jerky Day celebrates small-batch, artisan jerky producers and homemade jerky recipes. You can celebrate by supporting a local craft jerky business, making jerky at home, and spreading the word on social media with the hashtag #NationalCraftJerkyDay.