Use in Moderation
Beef Jerky
2.60g net carbs per 1 oz
Dried and seasoned, a 1 oz portion runs about 2.6 g net carbs, which is fine in small amounts but adds up fast since many brands sweeten the marinade. Check the label for added sugar and keep your portion to an ounce or so, with 9.3 g protein per serving making it an easy snack to overeat.
Built by Barron Hansen · Last updated July 2026
Nutrition Facts
Fits My Daily Budget?
Set your daily net carb limit to see how one serving fits.
One serving uses 13% of your 20g daily budget.
Plan the rest of your day
Good to Know
The biggest variable is added sugar. Many mainstream brands like Jack Link's use brown sugar or honey in the marinade, which can push carbs well past this number, so flip the bag and read the ingredient list. Look for brands that market themselves as zero sugar or keto, such as People's Choice or Country Archer, and watch teriyaki and honey BBQ flavors in particular since those tend to be the sweetest. Stick to plain, peppered, or original styles for the lowest carb count.
Is Beef Jerky Keto? The Full Answer
Beef Jerky contains 2.60g net carbs per 1 oz (3.10g total carbs minus 0.50g fiber). Dried and seasoned, a 1 oz portion runs about 2.6 g net carbs, which is fine in small amounts but adds up fast since many brands sweeten the marinade. Check the label for added sugar and keep your portion to an ounce or so, with 9.3 g protein per serving making it an easy snack to overeat.
On a standard ketogenic diet, most people target 20-25g net carbs per day. A single serving uses 13% of a 20g daily carb limit. Track your portions carefully and account for other carbs in your meals.
Better Keto Swaps
Jerky is fine in a pinch, but the sugar in most marinades adds up fast. At 2.6 g net carbs per ounce, a few pieces can quietly stack carbs you did not budget for. Here are a few swaps that keep the protein and chew without the added sugar. First, beef sticks like Chomps Original. They run close to 0 g net carbs per stick because they skip the sweet glaze, and they travel just as well in a bag or glove box. Second, pork rinds (think Epic or 4505). A half-ounce serving is 0 g net carbs, and you get a salty crunch plus a little collagen-rich protein. Third, biltong, the air-dried South African cousin. Brands like Stryve come in around 1 g net carbs per ounce since it is cured with vinegar and spices rather than sugary teriyaki. Any of these lets you snack without watching your carb count creep.
Track Your Ketone Levels
The Keto-Mojo meter is the gold standard for confirming you're actually in ketosis. Know your numbers - don't guess.