National Jerky Day
June 12
About National Jerky Day
National Jerky Day is observed every year on 12 June in the United States, celebrating one of the world’s oldest snack foods and the modern industry that has grown around it. Founded by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky and the Wisconsin Beef Council in 2012, the day honours the rich history of dried meat, from its ancient Andean roots to the billions of bags sold each year in convenience stores, supermarkets, and online shops.
How to Celebrate National Jerky Day
There are plenty of ways to mark Friday, 12 June 2026, whether you are a lifelong fan or new to the world of dried meat snacks:
- Try a flavour you have never had before – The jerky market now stretches well beyond classic smoked beef. Teriyaki, peppered, sweet chilli, sriracha, and even ostrich and alligator jerky are all available from specialist retailers. National Jerky Day is the perfect prompt to branch out.
- Make your own at home – With a basic oven or a food dehydrator, home-made jerky is surprisingly straightforward. Thinly sliced lean beef marinated in soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and black pepper, then dried slowly at a low temperature, produces results that rival any shop-bought bag.
- Visit a craft jerky producer – Many small-batch producers and local butchers offer specialist jerky ranges. Seeking one out supports independent businesses and often reveals flavour combinations that mainstream brands do not attempt.
- Pack jerky for an outdoor adventure – Dried meat is an ideal trail snack: lightweight, shelf-stable, and high in protein. If you are planning a hike, a cycling trip, or a day at the beach on 12 June, bring a few strips along and celebrate in the spirit in which jerky was first created.
- Host a jerky tasting – Gather a selection of different brands, flavours, and proteins, lay them out, and invite friends to rank their favourites. It makes for a lively and low-effort social occasion.
- Share on social media – Post your jerky of choice on Instagram, X, or TikTok with #NationalJerkyDay and tag your favourite brand. Many jerky companies run competitions and giveaways on the day.
- Learn to read jerky labels – Not all jerky is created equal. Some brands add significant amounts of sugar and artificial preservatives, while others use minimal ingredients. National Jerky Day is a good moment to become a more informed consumer.
- Gift a jerky subscription box – Several companies offer monthly jerky subscriptions as gifts. If you know a snack enthusiast, a subscription delivers a rotating selection of products that they might never discover otherwise.
What is National Jerky Day?
National Jerky Day is an annual American food observance dedicated to celebrating dried meat snacks in all their forms. While the day was created with beef jerky in mind, it has expanded to encompass the full range of dried and cured meat products, including turkey, pork, salmon, and a variety of game meats. The observance falls at the height of summer, when outdoor activities, road trips, and sporting events drive demand for portable, high-protein snacks. National Craft Jerky Day, observed in November, provides a second annual moment to celebrate the artisan end of the same industry.
When is National Jerky Day?
National Jerky Day falls on Friday, 12 June 2026. It is a fixed-date annual observance, always held on 12 June regardless of the day of the week.
The History of National Jerky Day
The story of jerky begins long before the modern snack food industry. The Quechua people of the Andes in present-day Peru were making a dried meat product called ch’arki as far back as 1550 AD. The word is derived from the Quechua term meaning “dried, salted meat.” Ch’arki was made from llama, alpaca, and other Andean livestock, dried in the high-altitude sun during the day and left to freeze at night. Salt was added to draw out moisture and inhibit bacterial growth, producing a product that could sustain travellers and armies for weeks without spoiling.
Spanish explorers encountered ch’arki during their expeditions through South America in the sixteenth century and brought the concept back to Europe, where the word eventually evolved into the English “jerky.” North American indigenous peoples had their own versions of dried meat, often called pemmican, made from bison, deer, and other game. When European settlers arrived, they adopted and adapted these techniques, and dried meat became a staple of frontier life throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Cowboys, soldiers, and trappers all depended on jerky as a reliable source of nutrition during long journeys away from towns and supply routes.
The modern commercial jerky industry began to take shape in the late twentieth century. Jack Link’s, now the world’s largest manufacturer of meat snacks, traces its origins to founder Jack Link, who began producing jerky in northern Wisconsin using his family’s recipes in the 1980s. The company partnered with the Wisconsin Beef Council to establish National Jerky Day in 2012, choosing 12 June to coincide with the start of summer activity season in the United States. In 2025, Jack Link’s marked its 40th anniversary with a “Christmas for Carnivores” promotion tied to National Jerky Day, demonstrating how firmly the celebration has embedded itself in the company’s identity.
Fun Facts About Jerky
- The global meat snacks market was valued at over $9 billion in the early 2020s and continues to grow, driven partly by demand for high-protein convenience foods.
- NASA included jerky in astronaut food rations during space missions in the 1990s because of its low weight, long shelf life, and high nutritional density.
- Meat snacks, including jerky, outsell popcorn and pretzels in the United States, making them one of the most consumed salty snacks in the country.
- The United States produces and consumes more beef jerky than any other country, with hundreds of regional brands competing alongside national producers.
- Properly prepared jerky has a shelf life of one to two years if stored in a cool, dry environment, and up to several months once opened.
- Jerky made from salmon, tuna, and other fish has been produced by indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest of North America for thousands of years.
Why National Jerky Day Matters
Beyond the obvious appeal of a protein-rich snack, National Jerky Day highlights a food tradition with roots stretching back thousands of years across multiple continents. It connects modern consumers to ancient preservation techniques that kept communities alive through long winters and arduous journeys. The day also supports the wider meat snack industry, which provides livelihoods for farmers, producers, and retailers. For those following high-protein diets, jerky offers a convenient alternative to processed snack foods, and National Jerky Day is an opportunity to explore the premium end of the market. If you are interested in other celebrated American food days this month, National Cheese Day on 4 June offers another excuse to explore the full range of a beloved food category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Jerky Day?
National Jerky Day is an annual American food observance held on 12 June, celebrating the history, variety, and popularity of dried meat snacks. It was founded in 2012 by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky and the Wisconsin Beef Council.
When is National Jerky Day in 2026?
National Jerky Day falls on Friday, 12 June 2026.
Who founded National Jerky Day?
National Jerky Day was founded in 2012 by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, in partnership with the Wisconsin Beef Council, as a way to celebrate dried meat snacks and the cultural history behind them.
Spread the Word
Share your jerky picks and home-made creations on social media with #NationalJerkyDay and #JerkyDay2026. Whether you are a purist who sticks to classic smoked beef or an adventurer exploring elk and salmon varieties, join the conversation and help keep one of the world’s oldest snack traditions in the spotlight.
Related Awareness Days
- National Craft Jerky Day – Observed in November, this day celebrates the artisan and small-batch jerky producers who push the craft beyond mainstream brands.
- National Protein Day – Held in February, this observance highlights the importance of protein in a healthy diet, making it a natural companion to any celebration of protein-rich jerky.
- National Chicken Wing Day – Celebrated on 29 July, this popular food day shares National Jerky Day’s spirit of enthusiastic, communal snacking and American food culture.
Links
- Visit the official Jack Link’s National Jerky Day page
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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