What’s Up With All This Soy in Jerky?

I have seen it many times before and I saw it again yesterday.  And I’m sure you have, too.

Why on earth is there soy in nearly every brand of commercially prepared jerky?  The one I saw at REI stood out in particular as it was labeled ‘Primal’ something or other.

Argh!

Aside from the obvious, contributing that salty flavor that millions of Americans are hooked on, soy actually is high in glutamic acid which serves to chemically tenderize meat.

And certainly, eating jerky on a regular basis is not exactly the idea in a Paleo regime.

However, say you’re on a road trip and your other options include stopping for a low-bar cheeseburger or a hot dog off a conveyor belt at a gas mart.

Ah- in this instance, that jerky you brought along with you comes in quite handy.

And while making your own is quite simple, and doesn’t even require you purchase a dehydrator (check out Pocket Paleo Snacks, where I share recipes for salt-free salmon, beef and chicken jerky), there are options available that do not have that nasty soy.

This is precisely the focus of the Portable Proteins Basket that Barefoot Provisions and I are giving away this week.

Jerky every day?  Not so much.  But jerky now and then, for travel or in a pinch?  Yes, absolutely!