What Is the Best Packaging for Jerky?

Everyone loves a snack now and then—even the health-conscious snackers. Jerky snacks, which combine flavor and nutrition, are a popular option among millions of health-conscious consumers. As a business owner, you can take advantage of this food trend by creating a jerky product business action plan. Whether it's novel plant-based jerky or the classic meat […]

Everyone loves a snack now and then—even the health-conscious snackers. Jerky snacks, which combine flavor and nutrition, are a popular option among millions of health-conscious consumers.

As a business owner, you can take advantage of this food trend by creating a jerky product business action plan.

Whether it's novel plant-based jerky or the classic meat repertoire, it's worth noting that success here necessitates more than a fantastic product that tastes great.

Your packaging is a crucial factor that must sustain your product. What is the best packaging for jerky?

Making small amounts of any jerky for your friends or relatives is one thing, and selling it to the general public is another. Remember that there is competition, and you must work on your brand image and performance to be above your competitors.


What is The Best Packaging for Jerky?

So, what is the best packaging for jerky? Resealable, lightweight, and puncture-resistant bags are the most sought-after features in jerky packaging.

Using professional barrier bags to package jerky correctly will help your brand stand out on a store shelf while also safeguarding the valuable food products inside.

The jerky market has evolved over the years. Specifically, beef jerky (and its more exotic counterparts) was once considered a special delicacy, primarily enjoyed by backpackers, campers, hikers, and other "outdoorsy" sorts.

But now, jerky is considered a healthful snack widely recognized as a great source of protein for individuals on the go, at the desk, or behind the wheel. It has become one of the most popular snack foods among Americans.


Approaching Jerky Packaging Strategically

Based on our experience with other jerky businesses, we know that consumers nowadays have higher expectations regarding food packaging due to the need for easily accessible, high-protein meat snacks.

Because of this, food marketing, specifically jerky, is critical to the success of any business.

When creating packaging pouches for jerky and other processed meats, you must consider your customers first. Look at that first before thinking about your own wants for how your branded packaging should look.


Foundational Packaging Expectations for Jerky

Let's hone in on our focus on what is the best packaging for jerky. First of all, consumers should not have to worry about leakage. Nothing spoils a brand experience more than an unexpected, messy issue that leads to food spoilage.

People who buy your jerky also need not think about doing extra steps to retain product freshness as they store their deli or lunch meat snacks for later use.

Your custom jerky packaging should also be designed for the consumer's convenience and should be easily portable.


Types of Barrier Bags for Jerky

The most common jerky barrier bags are flat three-sided seal bags, stand-up pouches, and flat bottom bags.

There are alternative packaging methods to choose from, but really, you don't need to. Barrier bags offer more flexibility and convenience compared to rigid packaging such as boxes.

The other reason we believe barrier pouches are the most excellent option is because of how effectively they protect their contents until and even after the "best by" date.

*Although vacuum sealing is a great alternative for food packaging, the final presentation of the product does not seem particularly inviting on the store shelf.


What is the best packaging for jerky: Flat Three Side Seal Pouches

As the most prevalent packaging option for jerky packages, the Pouch Me 3-side seal or flat pouch is in high demand.

It ensures the freshness of your jerky delicacies. It is cost-effective, simple, features a hang hole, easy to fill and seal, and enables high-impact printing and graphic design.


What is the best packaging for jerky: Flat Bottom Bags

The flat bottom bag has a bottom that simulates a box, allowing it to stand upright, and side gussets that provide more space for branding and labeling than a typical stand-up bag.

Flat bottom bags have a strong shelf appeal due to its elegant design and great space utilization. 


What is the best packaging for jerky: Stand Up Pouches

A stand-up pouch is perfect for presenting your product in an unconventional way. These jerky bags stand on shelves, giving buyers a better view of your products and boosting their selling prospects.


Construction and Add-on Features of Barrier Bags for Jerky

What is the best packaging for jerky? Proper construction ensures you get professional results.

We construct barrier bags for jerky by laminating together several layers of scientifically engineered, FDA-approved, food-grade film that's made to protect your product from moisture, light, air, pests, odors, vapor, and other contaminants.

Helpful features such as reclosable zippers can be incorporated into these bags to help protect your products and ease access, which is something that customers want.

Optional tear notches are also available to offer easy and mess-free use of the product, as functionality and convenience are two vital elements for any food product promotion.

What is the best packaging for jerky? Review your product components to see if your custom bags need to also include a nitrogen flush system to help lock in freshness and retain flavor as it flushes out any trapped air.

And although the bag's barrier design and structure already protect your product from external contaminants, we also recommend adding oxygen absorbers as an extra layer of protection.


Print Capabilities: Advantages of Using High Barrier Jerky Bags

Do you still need more reasons to choose barrier bags for your beef jerky? What about the marketing and branding possibilities?

Barrier bags, A.K.A. "Mylar" bags, are constructed in a way that allows you to custom print up to 12 colors, insert a clear window, use transparent or opaque barrier film, apply custom labels and promotional stickers, hang holes, and also allows you to combine any or all of these add-on features.

Whatever features you pick to customize your packaging, your capacity to produce unique jerky packaging is only limited by your creativity (or, perhaps, the ingenuity of your marketing team, but you get the idea!).

Barrier bags for beef jerky are an excellent choice for your business since they lean toward an environmentally responsible brand image.

This type of protective packaging can be made entirely of recyclable materials. Even if it weren't, it'd be environmentally suitable since it occupies so little space after disposal, generally less than an empty mailing envelope.


Added Benefits of Choosing Barrier Bags for Jerky

But wait, there's more.

Even though they are made up of numerous film layers, some barrier bag forms use up to 15% less material than most of the other flexible packaging types, resulting in less waste.

Less material implies less weight, which has the added benefit of saving fuel money during transportation.

Barrier bags are a one-stop solution for protecting and preserving your whole jerky product range.

Their robustness helps reduce expenses, wastage of material, and energy usually associated with the creation, shipping, storage, and disposal of additional protective packaging since you won't need any.


What is the Best Packaging for Jerky: Wrapping Up

Food marketing has progressed significantly, and you cannot afford to put an unprofessionally packaged jerky product on the market.

When choosing barrier bags for beef jerky, don't only pick the one that works for you but always think of what your customer would like.

If you are just getting started in the jerky industry, it is critical that you develop your company's image and brand identity as soon as possible. 

One-half of what makes your product identifiable to the consumer is the packaging. If indeed the packaging is the first thing customers see when they walk into the shop, you want to create a great first impression.

At Pouch Me, we make all kinds of barrier pouches for processed meats, jerky, and other types of meat snacks.

Our pouches can be created as top-fill or bottom-fill to meet the requirements of your production process and equipment.

Get your custom quote today!


What Is the Best Packaging for Jerky?: FAQs

+ How do you package jerky?

Here are the steps for packaging jerky:

  • After making your jerky, let it cool, then blot out all moisture and grease, then leave it to dry at room temperature.
  • Place the dried jerky in a right-sized airtight container.
  • To extend the shelf life of your jerky and prevent bacteria growth, add oxygen absorbers to your pouch.
  • Seal your bag.
  • Label the container.

+ How do you store packaged beef jerky?

Always keep unopened jerky in a cold, dry area, such as a cupboard or drawer.

Because sunlight and heat work to degrade the quality, flavor, and freshness of beef jerky, storing it somewhere dark and cold can help it last longer.

+ Does jerky need to be refrigerated?

Sealed beef jerky does not need to be refrigerated. However, after a package is opened, the moisture level of the jerky dictates whether refrigeration is necessary.

When exposed to oxygen, jerky with high moisture content is not shelf-stable and must be refrigerated.

+ What is the shelf life of beef jerky?

Processed beef jerky should generally be consumed within a year. To experience the excellent flavor and texture of the jerky, it is recommended that you eat and finish the package's contents within six months after purchase.

For homemade jerky, please make sure to place this it in an airtight container immediately after making it. It should last one to two months.

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