Buffalo Jerky vs Beef Jerky: Which Is Better?

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Walk into any M&S Meats store and you'll hear the same question at the counter: buffalo or beef? Both are Montana favorites, both are slow-smoked from whole cuts, and both disappear fast on a road trip.

So we put them head to head. Six rounds, one scorecard and a guide to picking the right bag for you.

The quick answer

Buffalo jerky is the leaner pick, with a slightly sweeter, earthier flavor.

Beef jerky is the rich, classic chew, with the biggest range of flavors.

Which one wins comes down to what you want from your snack.

First, what is buffalo jerky?

In North America, "buffalo" almost always means the American bison, the animal on our logo. True buffalo (water buffalo and Cape buffalo) live in Asia and Africa. So buffalo jerky and bison jerky are the same thing.

Bison are wilder and harder to raise than cattle, and there are far fewer of them. That makes the meat scarcer and more expensive to buy wholesale, which is why buffalo jerky sits at a higher price point than beef.

Holding an old postcard of the M&S Meats store in front of the store in Rollins, Montana

Round 1: Protein

Both are high-protein snacks. Jerky is dried slowly, so the protein gets concentrated as the water leaves, whichever meat you start with.

Bison starts out as a slightly more protein-dense meat than beef, gram for gram, so it nudges ahead here. Either bag is a strong choice if you're hitting a protein target.

Winner: Buffalo

Round 2: Fat & calories

Bison is naturally lean, with less marbling than most beef. Less fat in the meat usually means fewer calories in the bag.

Beef jerky is still a lean snack when it's made from whole cuts, as ours is. Buffalo just takes it a step further.

Winner: Buffalo

Round 3: Taste

Buffalo is slightly sweeter and earthier than beef, with a clean finish. Handled well, it isn't gamey at all. Beef is the rich, savory, smoky flavor most people grew up on.

Try them side by side in the same seasoning, like Pepper Buffalo and Pepper Beef, and the difference is easy to spot. Which one you prefer is personal.

Verdict: Depends on you

Bag of M&S Meats Old West Beef Jerky on a muddy mountain bike

Round 4: Texture

Leaner meat dries a little firmer, so buffalo jerky has a denser, chewier bite. Beef has a touch more marbling, which keeps it slightly more tender.

Both are cut from whole muscle, never chopped and pressed, so you get real strips of meat either way.

Verdict: Tie

Round 5: Sourcing

Bison are mostly raised on open range and can't be farmed at the scale of cattle. Herds are smaller, and the supply of good bison meat is limited.

We're picky about the meat we use, so when supply runs short, buffalo jerky can sell out.

Out of stock? Leave your email on any buffalo product page and we'll let you know the moment it's back.

Winner: Beef

Round 6: Variety

Beef runs away with this one. Our beef lineup covers everything from Original and Pepper to Old West, Honey Jalapeño and Cowboy Garlic, with new flavors landing regularly.

Buffalo comes in a tighter set of favorites, including Pepper, Teriyaki, Honey and Jalapeño.

Winner: Beef

The scorecard

Round	Buffalo	Beef	Result
Protein	Slightly higher	High	Buffalo
Fat & calories	Leaner	Lean	Buffalo
Taste	Sweeter, earthier	Rich, classic	Depends on you
Texture	Denser, chewier	Slightly more tender	Tie
Sourcing	Open range, limited supply	Widely available	Beef
Variety	Core favorites	Biggest lineup	Beef

The verdict: a split decision. Pick buffalo for the leanest, most protein-packed chew. Pick beef for that classic jerky taste and the most flavors to choose from.

Two hikers sharing a bag of M&S Meats jerky above a glacier in Montana

Which should you pick?

Counting macros or training hard

Go buffalo. It's the leanest way to get a serious hit of protein between meals. Shop Buffalo Jerky →

Hiking, hunting or out on the trail

Pack both. Jerky is light, needs no fridge and keeps you going for miles. Buffalo for lean fuel, beef for flavor variety. Shop Buffalo → Shop Beef →

Hiker eating M&S Meats jerky at a picnic table with mountains behind

Trying M&S for the first time

Start with beef. Original Beef is the one that's kept customers coming back for decades. Shop Beef Jerky →

Buying a gift

Give both. A mix of buffalo and beef lets them find their own favorite. Shop Buffalo → Shop Beef →

Can't choose? Try them all

Our samplers put every flavor in one box, so you can run your own taste test.

Buffalo Jerky Sampler

Every buffalo flavor we make, in one pack.

Shop now

Beef Jerky Sampler

Discover all five of our favorite beef flavors, side by side.

Shop now

M&S Meats Hunter's Pack with elk, buffalo and beef jerky

The Hunter's Pack

Original Beef, Buffalo and Elk in one pack. The ultimate head to head.

Shop now

Shop All Jerky

FAQ

Is buffalo jerky healthier than beef jerky?

Buffalo is naturally leaner, with a little more protein and less fat than beef. Both are high-protein snacks when they're made from whole cuts. Check the nutrition panel on each bag for exact numbers.

Does buffalo jerky taste gamey?

Not when it's made well. Buffalo tastes a little sweeter and earthier than beef, with a clean finish. Most people describe it as a richer version of beef.

Is buffalo the same as bison?

In North America, yes. "Buffalo" is the everyday name for the American bison. True buffalo, like water buffalo, are a different animal found in Asia and Africa.

Why does buffalo jerky cost more?

Bison herds are much smaller than cattle herds, so the meat is scarcer and costs more to buy wholesale. That cost carries through to the bag.

Why is buffalo jerky sometimes out of stock?

Good bison meat is in limited supply, and we won't cut corners on quality. If a flavor is sold out, leave your email on its product page and we'll let you know when it's back.