TOP GOLD & OFFICIAL JERKY PARTNERS
Top Overall Gold Jerky Award Winners, TASTY AWARDS Winners, and Official Jerky Partners of the TASTE AWARDS
THE BEST ARTISAN JERKY OF 2026
From smoky and savory to bold and inventive, artisan jerky continues to evolve with new flavors, ingredients and techniques from makers around the world.
The International Jerky Awards are pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 competition, recognizing outstanding flavor, texture, quality and creativity in artisan jerky.
Products entered from around the world were submitted to a select jury of food and wine media, industry professionals and members of the Academy of Media Tastemakers, who tasted, reviewed and voted on this year’s outstanding selections.
Taking the top Gold Awards for 2026 are:
- Brisket Chips Co. — Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
- Brisket Chips Co. — Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
The winners lead a diverse field ranging from traditional beef jerky, Wagyu and Lao-style fried beef to lemongrass and whiskey-inspired flavors, as well as innovative plant-based creations.
The International Jerky Awards are part of the TASTY AWARDS, TasteTV’s product- and brand-focused awards celebrating outstanding artisan Food, Drink and Fashion products, as well as Restaurants and Chefs.
The TASTY AWARDS are distinct from the TASTE AWARDS, which recognize achievements in food, fashion, health, travel, sports and lifestyle programming across television, film, online video, radio, podcasts and photography.
2026 TOP JERKY SELECTIONS
See the complete Gold, Silver and Bronze winners, category awards, star ratings and judges’ favorites below.
SOME TOP JERKY SELECTIONS
SELECTED JUDGES’ COMMENTS & FAVES
“Brisket Chips Thin & Crispy!
All of them! Every flavor is spectacular!
Love the concept!
Also love Gilbert’s! Fabulous texture! Really nice!
Circle Jerky: OMG! The flavor is spectacular! Such a great texture! Why such a small sample? Soooooooo gooooooooood!!!!”
Brisket Chips!! Hard to stop eating those! I don’t know how much like “jerky” they are – they kind of have their own category. Like preserved meat candy! Plus they have a balanced flavor.
Wagyu spicy, the fat slices were fantastic!
“#1 – Wagyu Boyz OG – savory, buttery meat that melted in my mouth, with a clean crisp texture. This is jerky to die for! And apparently my cat feels the same way – he got into the big bag of entries, and this is the only jerky he pulled out and tore open…. and devoured!
#2 – Brisket Chips Mild Spicy – absolutely addictive, delicious meat taste and sharp crispy texture. Just like potato chips, “you can’t eat just one”. ”
Wagu Boyz Spicy OG
Sudar I- Taste like Prime Rib!
“It’s Jerky you All- Keep doing what you are doing in bringing interesting Jerky to non-meat eaters”
“Wagyu Boyz – thank you for not overpowering the spicy options with too much heat. Why scorch the tongue and over take the flavor of the meat itself?
Brisket Chips Co – your crispy texture is unparalleled. I only wish the spice levels were dialed down so I can taste the flavor without my tongue being on fire. The Mild Spicy feels more like a Medium Spicy, and the Medium obliterates my taste buds for a bit.
All Y’All’s Foods – the prickly pear flavor is an absolutely delicious alternative to meat. I will definitely recommend it to my vegetarian and vegan friends.
Gilbert’s – who knew ginger, lime & whisky would be so delicious in a jerky. Perfect with a Whisky Ginger Cocktail. ”
“I was surprised at how good the plant based jerky was! Kudos!”
OFFICIAL JERKY PARTNERS OF THE 18TH ANNUAL TASTE AWARDS
Recipients of this honor have the use of the title, “Official Jerky Partner of the TASTE AWARDS,” as well as the option to place jerky samples in the VIP and Celebrity Gift Bags at the TASTE AWARDS Red Carpet celebration in California (March 2027).The TASTE AWARDS celebrate the year’s best in food, fashion and lifestyle programs on television, in film, online, and on radio.
STAR RATINGS: OVERALL
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – Sweet Garlic and Pepper
- Sidari Artisan Brands, Corp. Guinness Steak Cuts Original 2.5oz
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Medium Spicy
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – OG
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Maple Barbeque
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Smoke BBQ
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Lemongrass Hot
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – Spicy OG
- TKO Jerky Japanese BBQ
- Bella’s Lao Beef Jerky and Cafe LLC Bella’s Lao Fried Beef Jerky Original
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Ginger Lime Whiskey
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Sweet Chesapeake
- TKO Jerky Lemon Pepper
- All Y’alls Foods It’s Jerky Y’all, prickly pear teriyaki
- Circle Jerky
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Sweet & Savory X-Hot
- Field Snacks Company Bang Bang
- All Y’alls Foods It’s Jerky Y’all, black pepper and sea salt
- Bella’s Lao Beef Jerky and Cafe LLC Bella’s Lao Fried Beef Jerky Spicy
- Field Snacks Company Glaze & Blaze
- Tennessee Brown Bag LLC Tennessee Brown Bag – Blackberry Whiskey
- Tennessee Brown Bag LLC Tennessee Brown Bag – Dill Pickle
- Weirdo Beardo Jerky Lemon Pepper Beef Jerky
- Weirdo Beardo Jerky Limon Piquin Beef Jerky
AWARD CATEGORY: FLAVOR
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Medium Spicy
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – OG
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Smoke BBQ
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – Sweet Garlic and Pepper
HONORABLE MENTION
- Bella’s Lao Beef Jerky and Cafe LLC Fried Beef Jerky Original
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Lemongrass Hot
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Ginger Lime Whiskey
- TKO Jerky Japanese BBQ
- Field Snacks Company Glaze & Blaze
- Tennessee Brown Bag LLC Tennessee Brown Bag – Dill Pickle
AWARD CATEGORY: TEXTURE
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Medium Spicy
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Smoke BBQ 80.00% 4 80.00% 4
- Sidari Artisan Brands, Corp. Guinness Steak Cuts Original 2.5oz 28.57% 2 57.14% 4
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Sweet Chesapeake 40.00% 2 80.00% 4
HONORABLE MENTION
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – OG
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Lemongrass Hot
- Field Snacks Company Glaze & Blaze
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – Spicy OG
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Sweet & Savory X-Hot
Circle Jerky
AWARDS CATEGORY: PACKAGING
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Medium Spicy
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Sweet Chesapeake
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – OG
- Bella’s Lao Beef Jerky and Cafe Fried Beef Jerky Original
HONORABLE MENTION
- Sidari Artisan Brands, Corp. Guinness Steak Cuts Original 2.5oz
- Field Snacks Company Glaze & Blaze
AWARDS CATEGORY: UNIQUENESS
- All Y’alls Foods It’s Jerky Y’all, prickly pear teriyaki
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Lemongrass Hot
- Tennessee Brown Bag LLC Tennessee Brown Bag – Dill Pickle
- Tennessee Brown Bag LLC Tennessee Brown Bag – Blackberry Whiskey
HONORABLE MENTION
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Ginger Lime Whiskey
AWARDS CATEGORY: QUALITY
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – OG
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
- Sidari Artisan Brands, Corp. Guinness Steak Cuts Original 2.5oz
HONORABLE MENTION
- Bella’s Lao Beef Jerky and Cafe Fried Beef Jerky Original
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Smoke BBQ
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Medium Spicy
AWARDS CATEGORY: INGREDIENT COMBINATIONS
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Lemongrass Hot
- Field Snacks Company Glaze & Blaze
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Medium Spicy
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Ginger Lime Whiskey
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – Sweet Garlic and Pepper
- TKO Jerky Japanese BBQ
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Smoke BBQ
HONORABLE MENTION
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – OG
- Sidari Artisan Brands, Corp. Guinness Steak Cuts Original 2.5oz
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Sweet Chesapeake
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – Spicy OG
- All Y’alls Foods It’s Jerky Y’all, prickly pear teriyaki
- Tennessee Brown Bag LLC Tennessee Brown Bag – Dill Pickle
- Tennessee Brown Bag LLC Tennessee Brown Bag – Blackberry Whiskey
AWARDS CATEGORY: BEST BEEF JERKY
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Mild Spicy
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Medium Spicy
- Sidari Artisan Brands, Corp. Guinness Steak Cuts Original 2.5oz
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Smoke BBQ
- Bella’s Lao Beef Jerky and Cafe LLC Fried Beef Jerky Original
- Brisket Chips Co. Brisket Chips Cracked Black Pepper
- VUEtastic Jerky LLC Lemongrass Hot
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – OG
HONORABLE MENTION
- Gilbert’s Premium Jerky Maple Barbeque
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – Spicy OG
- Wagyu Boyz Wagyu Boyz – Sweet Garlic and Pepper
AWARDS CATEGORY: BEST POULTRY/FISH JERKY/NON-BEEF MEAT JERKY
- All Y’alls Foods It’s Jerky Y’all, prickly pear teriyaki
- All Y’alls Foods It’s Jerky Y’all, black pepper and sea salt
JUDGES PANEL
Awards Judges are National and Regional Magazine, Newspaper and Blog Editors, plus Topic Experts, Local Chefs and Food Gurus.
To more about the Academy, visit the site.
