Updated February 6, 2025

We’ve all been there — finding a forgotten bag of beef jerky at the back of the pantry or bottom of a backpack and wondering, How long does beef jerky last? Given that jerky is made from meat yet can be stored at room temperature, it’s a fair question. Unlike fresh cuts of beef, which spoil quickly without refrigeration, the process and ingredients used to make jerky naturally extend its shelf life. But exactly how long it lasts still depends greatly on how it’s packaged and stored.

Understanding the factors that affect beef jerky shelf life can help you keep this high-protein snack fresh and flavorful. With a few simple steps, you can store your jerky for years so you never have to second-guess whether you’re about to take a bite of something that’s gone bad.  

How long does beef jerky last?

Jerky’s shelf life varies based on the processes and ingredients used to make it as well as how it’s packaged. Generally speaking, an unopened and properly stored bag of commercial beef jerky can last a long time — several months or even a couple of years. Once you open a package, however, exposure to air, moisture, and temperature fluctuations begin to shorten its shelf life. Knowing how to store this nutrient-dense snack after opening can help keep it fresh a lot longer. 

Factors Affecting Beef Jerky Shelf Life

To maximize the life of store-bought or homemade beef jerky, you must first understand the factors that impact its freshness and longevity. 

• Moisture content: Jerky is made via dehydration or smoking, both of which aim to remove moisture to create a shelf-stable product. Smoked jerky removes enough water to create a safe product but not so much that it becomes tough and dry. 
• Fat content: The best cuts of beef to use for jerky are lean cuts like top and bottom round. The lower fat content of these high-quality cuts helps extend shelf life and provides a better flavor and texture than jerky made with less expensive, fattier cuts. 
• Preservatives: Salt in beef jerky acts as a natural preservative by drawing out excess moisture to inhibit bacterial growth. Some commercial brands also add preservatives like sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrate to extend expiration dates even longer, though these additives may have potential health risks.
• Packaging: Many commercially prepared jerky brands use oxygen-absorbing packets to extend shelf life, but vacuum sealing offers superior protection. Vacuum packaging removes air entirely, preventing bacterial growth while preserving the jerky’s moisture, texture, and flavor. 
• Storage method: Storing an unopened bag of jerky in a cool, dry place helps maintain its freshness. Once opened, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to slow degradation. Heat and humidity can cause it to spoil more quickly. 

Storing Beef Jerky 

Jerky lasts longer when you follow a few basic storage practices. Minimizing exposure to air and moisture using proper storage maintains peak flavor and freshness.  

• Unopened jerky: To extend the life of beef jerky before opening, store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Opened jerky: Once you’ve opened a bag of jerky, the clock starts ticking, so to speak. Minimally, you should store it in a zip lock bag or other airtight container in the refrigerator. To help it last even longer, wrap it in aluminum foil or wax paper, put it in a zip lock bag, remove as much air as possible, and put it in the freezer. If you have a vacuum sealer, that’s the best way to preserve it before freezing. It’s also a good idea to label the container with the date to track how long zip-lock or vacuum-sealed bags have been stored.

Signs of Spoilage in Jerky 

Even if you’ve used proper storage methods, you may have a moment where you wonder if your jerky is still safe to eat. Signs of food spoilage aren’t always obvious, so it’s important to be aware of the more subtle cues.

• Mold growth: Mold is the clearest indicator that jerky should be thrown away. Moldy jerky may appear fuzzy or look like it has a powdery substance on some parts.
• Off odor: A rancid or sour smell as you bring a piece toward your mouth is a strong sign jerky has gone bad. When the fat in jerky starts to spoil, it can emit a musty odor that simply smells “off.” 
• Texture changes: The best jerky is chewy, not tough, but if it gets overly soft, slimy, or wet, it’s likely gone bad.
• Discoloration: If the color of your favorite jerky looks different than you remember, the change can be an indication of spoilage. 

Why Mountain America Jerky Tastes Better Longer 

When it comes to making jerky, quality measures are essential at every step. At Mountain America Jerky, we start with the finest cuts of lean meat to ensure superior flavor and a long shelf life — without unnecessary additives and preservatives. Our USDA-approved facility maintains precise production processes, including vacuum sealing and proper storage, to guarantee each package of jerky we sell is delivered as fresh as possible. Unlike chemical-laden products that spend months sitting in warehouses, the jerky you receive from us has been recently made, with a texture and flavor that reflect the care we invest in creating a long-lasting, high-protein snack you can trust. 

Ready to experience jerky made the right way? Try a sample pack of our top beef jerky flavors and taste the difference in every bite.