With a glass of excellent grape-grained wine, a piece of grass-fed beef jerky is an ideal pairing. It might not seem like an obvious choice, but the meat chunk’s peppery flavor, with a hint of lemongrass, will enhance the wine’s flavor. This combination of foods tastes significantly better since the soft proteins in meat help to intensify the flavor of fat.

Jerky is made by meat marinated in red wine, which is rich in tannin, a chemical that aids in the perfect softening of the meat. So, if you have not tried the pair of jerky and wine yet, we recommend that you read the rest of this article before deciding whether to try them. Here, we will discuss the several kinds of jerkies to match with.

Teriyaki Flavored Beef Jerky

Not all beef jerkies are of high quality, and they won’t go well with a fine glass of wine. So, for the best results, you must first get yourself some high-quality fresh jerkies from jerkybrands.com. Teriyaki Flavored Beef Jerkies are the most popular. This type of jerky has a less dry texture than the other kind flavored with black pepper. 

Teriyaki jerky is mostly spiced and seasoned with berries. The jerky pairs well with dark cherries and coffee-flavored wine. Some other wines to pair with Teriyaki flavored beef jerky are Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. 

Teriyaki Turkey Jerky

Teriyaki turkey jerky has a flavor that is similar to beef but is more pullable and chewable. The turkey meat is sweeter than that of the beef. Therefore, extra black pepper is required to marinate the chunks of turkey meat to balance its sweetness. Turkey jerky does not complement wine as much as beef jerky. However, a glass of Dry Rosé white wine will taste just perfect with turkey jerky. 

Buffalo Jerky

Buffalo jerky has a lower moisture level and is less chewy than beef jerky. The spice list is almost similar to the previously mentioned jerkies. Buffalo jerkies go great with any wine with a strong flavor, especially red wines. The pair will flourish more with the side of any dry fruit. If you add different roasted spices on top of the jerky, it will be just perfect.

Salmon Jerky

To produce salmon jerky, the fish filet must be chopped into strips after peeling the skin. Then the strips are marinated in an orange zest and juice mixture, as well as soy sauce, black pepper, brown sugar, and liquid smoke. With a few sprinkles of minced garlic, this jerky will taste delicious.

Pinot Noir is the best wine to mix with salmon jerky. The earthy and light body flavor of Pinot Noir is preferred for its warm, sweet, yet spicy taste. Plums, berries, cherries,  spices, and violets flourish in this wine’s flavor. The fresh and earthy flavor of this wine makes it a perfect match with dishes made with fatty fish, especially tuna and salmon.

Bak Kwa Jerky

Bak Kwa is the name given to a type of dried beef. It has a flavor similar to thin slices of grilled pig jerky. This is made in the style of pork jerky and is roasted over charcoal to keep it moist. Bak Kwa comes in two varieties. One is chewier than the other because it contains visible tiny bits of grilled pork. The other is made with pork mince, which makes it more tender.

With a glass of Off-Dry Riesling, this jerky will be perfect. The wine’s delicate flavors of green apple and white peach are a perfect match for the jerky’s powerful flavor. This wine is thought to be the best for this type of jerky since its somewhat sweet flavor can help to soften the intensity of any spice in a dish. Any wine with a harsh taste will just feel bitter in the mouth, making the jerky taste terrible.

Duck or Goose Jerky

Jerkies made from duck or goose are equally delicious as beef jerky. Duck meat has a distinct texture that allows it to absorb any herbs and spices quickly. The flavor of duck jerky will be at its peak when the meat is marinated for 24 hours before cooking, and the ratio of salt is just right.

A glass of Pinot Grigio will be a perfect combination with duck or goose jerkies which are cooked with a dash of fresh herbs. The wine’s crisp, the light flavor will go well with the earthy flavor of the duck jerky. 

Another wine pairing that will go well with this jerky is Syrah. As duck jerky isn’t particularly spicy, the wine’s spicy flavor will complement the food perfectly. If both the wine and the meal served with it are spicy, the flavor of both will be overwhelming, and neither will taste good.

Tofu Jerky

Vegetarian jerkies can also be prepared deliciously. Tofu strips can be used to make vegetable jerkies easily yet in a delicious way. With the addition of garlic and soy sauce flavor, as well as sriracha, the tofu jerky bites become spicy, sweet, and salty.

A glass of sparkling wine is an excellent match for tofu jerky. Because of its unique feature, this wine is usually reserved for special events. The taste of this wine is what makes it popular with everyone. The wine, on the other hand, pairs well with salty and fried dishes. The sparkling wine’s carbonation cuts through the saltiness of a meal and balances out the correct flavor combination in our mouth.

Venison Jerky

Venison jerky is made with deer meat, and it tastes much tastier than beef. Though this meat is more expensive than regular beef, it is also healthier than beef meat. 

A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon will be excellent with your jerky if you want to freshen your palate after each bite. Plum, tannins, black currant, and blackberry flavors abound in this wine. With time, the wine’s fruity flavor becomes stronger. Due to the wine’s robust flavor, it pairs well with venison jerky.

Any dining set-up will be significantly better with the right food-and-wine combo. We tried to enlighten you with the idea of combining jerkies with wine in this article. We hope our jerky-wine pairing suggestion will provide you with some ideas for your next meal.