U.S. Meat Snacks Market Size to Reach USD 4.55 Billion in 2025

U.S. Meat Snacks Market Driven by Protein Demand and Snack Innovation

The U.S. meat snacks market size is expected to grow from USD 4.55 billion in 2025 to USD 7.96 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 6.4% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. This market growth is fueled by rising demand for high-protein, on-the-go snacks and expanding flavor innovations. Health-conscious consumers and clean-label trends are reshaping the category across retail and convenience channels.

Last Updated: 07 July 2025 Category: Meat Products and Seafood Industry Insight Code: 5697 Format: PDF / PPT / Excel

U.S. Meat Snacks Market Size, Share and Top Companies

The U.S. meat snacks market size reached at USD 4.28 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to grow from USD 4.55 billion in 2025 to USD 7.96 billion by 2034, witnessing a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The market is fueling due to increasing consumer’s preference for portable snacks with high nutritional value due to busy lifestyle, versatile flavor and product launches for meat snacks, strong agricultural base to provide necessary raw materials along with strategic partnerships among key players.

U.S. Meat Snacks Market Size 2025 to 2034

Key Highlights

  • By product type, the jerky products segment accounted for the largest market share of 42% in 2024. The beef jerky offers affordability and wide availability along with high quality protein and versatile flavors.
  • By product, the meat bars segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period of 2025 to 2034. The segment is expanding due to ease of handling and various taste profiles for meat snacks.
  • By meat source, the beef segment accounted for the largest market share of 55% in 2024. Beef is traditionally used as a high protein food source in the U.S., and it is an integrated part of their daily food palate.
  • By meat source, the turkey and exotic meats segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period of 2025 to 2034. The segment is growing due to it offers unique taste and high-quality protein at the same time.
  • By flavor profile, the original and classic segment accounted for the largest market share of 37% in 2024. The segment is expanding significantly as the original flavor profile can mix with other food products, and many people opt for traditional savory meat taste.
  • By flavor profile, the ethnic and spicy flavor segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period of 2025 to 2034. The segment is growing due to versatile flavor options for meat snacks and increasing consumer’s demand for ethnic flavors.
  • By distribution channel, the convenience stores segment accounted for the largest market share of 40% in 2024. These stores are expanding due to impulse purchase and wide availability in the U.S. increasing their turnover on a large scale.
  • By distribution channel, online retail and e-commerce segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period of 2025 to 2034. The segment is growing due to convenience and doorstep delivery of desired products with various brands.
  • By consumer demographics, the fitness and active adults segment accounted for the largest market share of 46% in 2024. Many health-conscious people are actively looking for high protein and low carb diet and food products that align with their fitness goals.
  • By consumer demographics, the millennials seeking functional nutrition segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period of 2025 to 2034. Millennials are becoming more aware of their health and food habits and following market trends due to social media platforms.
  • By packaging type, the single-serve packs accounted for the largest market share of 48% in 2024. The segment is dominating due to its convenience and ease of handling along with portion control strategy for health enthusiasts.
  • By packaging type, the resealable pouches and multipack innovation segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the foreseeable period of 2025 to 2034. Resealable pouches and multipack offers food preservation from environmental interaction and ideal packaging format for import/export as well.

Market Overview

Why does Meat Snack a popular Food Option in the U.S.?

The U.S. meat snacks market includes all processed meat-based snack products designed for direct consumption, portability, and shelf stability. These snacks are typically high in protein and include products such as jerky, sticks, bars, and bites made from beef, pork, poultry, and exotic meats. The market is driven by health-conscious consumers seeking protein-rich, low-carb, and keto-friendly snack options, along with increased on-the-go consumption trends.

Innovation in flavours, clean-label ingredients, grass-fed and organic sourcing, and plant-based meat alternatives are redefining the market landscape. Strict USDA and FDA regulations regarding processing, labelling, and safety standards also shape the market's structure.

  • Consumers are majorly looking for food options that are high in protein, micronutrients and less in carbs and unnecessary fats to stay active and energetic the whole day. These requirements are fulfilled by various meat snacks products, fueling its demand in the U.S.
  • Inherently, meat snacks are easy to prepare and need minimal effort and other components with easy portability. Meat snacks are becoming popular choice for people having hectic lifestyle which is mostly seen in the U.S. as a leading country.
  • Cultural and habitual factors are also influencing the market growth as meat consumption is integrated part of U.S. people’s daily food habits. Thus, meat snacks are a convenient way to keep a healthy diet routine.
  • Targeting marketing and various product launch as per demographics is another factor that increases popularity of meat snacks in the U.S. many campaigns are highlighting importance of protein content for maximum health benefit that can be achieved by meat snacks along with taste and convenience fueling the U.S. meat snacks market.

Market Opportunity

Growing Preference for Plant-based Meat Products

A significant opportunity that the U.S. meat snacks market holds is increasing interest in plant-based meat options because of health factors, environmental awareness and ethical regulations, which are creating lucrative opportunities for the market on a large scale. These snacks provide a similar taste to meat snacks without deriving ingredients from animals. This inclination is attracting consumers like vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians.

Moreover, many leading manufacturers are now presenting plant-based meat products to strengthen their base and increase their sales. For example, leading company VegaBytz has launched different plant-based meat products that were completely vegan alternatives in India. Options like vegan meat, tuna, and chicken are majorly crafted from vegetable sources with plant ingredients and a similar taste to non-vegan items, further offering a range of products for consumers looking for a nonvegetarian taste but without harming animals.

Market Challenge 

Supply Chain Barriers 

A notable challenge that the U.S. meat snacks market is witnessing is supply chain disruptions related to factors like processing, animal feed availability and distribution. Such disruptions can cause higher costs than usual and reduced product availability, which directly affects the production of meat snacks. Another factor that affects market growth is increasing e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer channels that are challenging conventional supply chain procedures. Manufacturers need to adapt to this new cycle of supply and demand to stay ahead of the competition.

Consumers are also changing their eating patterns and inclining more towards healthy and gut-friendly vegan products. For non-vegetarian people, manufacturers are launching various new plant-based meat products to meet the evolving demands of consumers. Environmental awareness is leading people to ditch non-veg products and embrace more eco-friendly and sustainable food options, further creating a hurdle for the market’s growth. 

Segmental Insights

Product Type Insights

Why is Beef Jerky Product Popular in the U.S.?

The jerky products segment dominated the U.S. meat snacks market in 2024. The segment is dominating due to various factors including its affordability and convenience, increased shelf life, higher availability rate, high quality protein content, variable flavors and consumers preference for beef jerky products for consumption. Beef jerky is inexpensive as compared to other meat-based products while offering various flavors and taste. People are opting for beef jerky snacks due to its high protein content which is now buzz word in the food and beverage sector. Everyone is looking for high quality protein either by veg products or from nonveg sources to stay active and healthy. Also, traditional choices to eat beef jerky products due to its easy availability in every retail outlet and perceived as a health food option further fuelling the segment’s growth.

The Meat Bars Segment is Expected to Showcase the Fastest CAGR Over the Foreseeable Period. 

The segment is expanding significantly due to growing need for on-the-go snacking because of busy lifestyles, increased focus on protein content in daily food habits, increasing shift towards low-carb and keto friendly diet along with various products launch by major key players in the meat snacks market to gain traction of consumers and to offer promise of high quality food with convenience.

Meat Source Insights 

How is Beef as a Prime Meat Source Evolving in the U.S. Meat Snacks Market?

The beef segment dominated the U.S. meat snacks market in 2024. The segment is dominating due to factors like the highly developed market and familiarity of beef as a main non-vegan food source for the U.S. people, its rich protein content along with a strong agricultural foundation which supports the meat processing sector and ensures easy offerings of required raw materials. The introduction of various flavors along with high-end options like organic beef jerky and grass-fed have influenced the segment’s growth further.

The Turkey & Exotic Meats Segment is Expected to Showcase the Fastest CAGR Over the Foreseeable Period. 

The segment is witnessing the fastest growth rate in the U.S. meat snacks market owing to its adventurous palates offering various flavors to satisfy the search of many consumers for a unique taste with healthy content. Innovation in product formats like meat bars and bites are creating convenience to eat even while traveling or amid daily hustle, especially gaining traction from the younger generation in the U.S. The government is further supporting it by offering initiatives to adopt sustainable livestock farming and ethical sourcing to comply with stringent food safety regulations within a country.

Flavour Profile Insights

Why is Original and Classic Flavour Profile Gaining Traction in the U.S. Meat Snacks Market?

The original & classic segment dominates the U.S. meat snacks market in 2024. The original and classic flavor profiles offer an authentic traditional taste that might have disappeared due to various taste profiles that launched recently, making it a foundational flavor among a range of mixed and exotic flavors. The segment is dominating as it offers a straight savory flavour instead of the mashup which dominates the main taste of meat snacks. Some people generally look for plain, simple and traditional meat products due to their habitual eating pattern. Moreover, original and classic meat snacks can be used with various other snacks, making it a versatile food option.

The Ethnic & Spicy Flavors Segment is Expected to Showcase the Fastest CAGR Over the Foreseeable Period. 

The segment is experiencing a tremendous growth rate due to various factors including social media influence, travel and cultural sharing, flavor innovations, diversification of products, bold/spicy and exotic profile with different spices, high-protein convenient snacks and consumer's preference for ready-to-eat food options. Many leading players are making strategic partnerships to launch new flavors aligning with the goals of health-conscious people.

Distribution Channel Insights

What are Offerings of Convenience Stores in the U.S. Meat Snacks Market?

The convenience stores segment dominated the U.S. meat snacks market in 2024. The segment is dominating due to; convenience stores offer various snacks options by targeting consumers to enable impulse purchase by presenting these snacks in a particular way which attracts consumers. Convenience stores provide grab-and-go method along with wide availability. Meat snacks are easily portable and do not need separate preparation due to their effective packaging and shelf life further fuelling the sales of convenience stores.

The Online Retail & E-commerce Segment is Expected to Showcase the Fastest CAGR Over the Foreseeable Period. 

The segment is highly impacting the growth of the U.S. meat snacks market due to its convenience and easy accessibility, various applications and internet penetration have fuelled expansion of online retail and e-commerce platforms. These channels offer wide product selection and enable targeted marketing for specific group consumers to excel their sales and branding on a large scale.

Consumer Demographics Insights

Why are Fitness Conscious People Opting for Meat Snacks?

The fitness and active adults segment dominated the U.S. meat snacks market in 2024. A major reason for this segment’s growth includes, increasing awareness of healthy mind-body corelation and impact of foods on it. Many people are opting for high protein and low carbs diet to stay active and full of energy as protein is a building block which supports health growth of muscle and reduce fat level in the body. Meat snack is offering exact and high-quality protein content which is essential after workout session to recover muscles. Also, these snacks are easy to carry is another key driver for the segment’s growth.

The millennials seeking functional nutrition segment is expected to showcase the fastest CAGR over the foreseeable period. The segment is expanding due to growing preference of convenient food options, high-protein snacks along with unique flavor which is in demand meat snack among millennials. Also, social media is influencing food choices of millennials and drawn them towards trending food options for healthy lifestyle.

Packaging Type Insights

Why are Single-Serve Packs Majorly Used in the U.S. Meat Snacks Market?

The single-serve packs segment dominated the U.S. meat snacks market in 2024. The segment is dominating due to increasing shift towards portion control by people on various diets, growing trend of on-the-go snacking, product innovation along with convenience and portability. Single serve packs are easy to carry even while travelling making it most in demand packaging type for meat snacks sector. manufacturers are continuously experimenting to offer exciting products with different texture, flavor, packaging format with single serve packaging further expanding the market growth.

The Resealable Pouches & Multipack Innovation Segment is Expected to Showcase the Fastest CAGR Over the Foreseeable Period. 

The segment is significantly growing due to factors like minimize waste, easy use and portability can be achieve effortlessly with resealable pouches and multipack, making them an attractive packaging type for manufacturers and consumers as well. Resealable pouches can save foods from environment interaction which preserve food items for longer time.

Recent Development in the U.S. Meat Snacks Market

Vermont Smoke and Cure

  • Product Innovation: In March 2025, a leading player in the U.S. meat market, Vermont Smoke and Cure offered its innovative and newly launched product to Expo West 2025 attendees to stay as frontier in the meat snacks market. (Source: Nosh)

Natural Products Expo West Conference

  • Product Exhibition: In March 2025, a leading meat snacks brand like Archer, Think Jerky, Chomps, Lorissa’s Kitchen and others revealed their latest meat snacks products at the Natural Products Expo West Conference 2025 amid hype of plant-based meat snacks products. (Source: Food Navigator-USA)

U.S. Meat Snacks Market Leading Companies

U.S. Meat Snacks Market Leading Companies

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product Type

  • Jerky Products
  • Beef Jerky
  • Turkey Jerky
  • Exotic Meat Jerky (bison, venison, elk, etc.)

Meat Sticks

  • Traditional Meat Sticks
  • Flavoured/Spicy Meat Sticks
  • Premium/Artisanal Sticks
  • Meat Bars
  • High-Protein Meat Bars
  • Paleo/Keto-Friendly Bars
  • Meat + Nut/Grain Fusion Bars
  • Bites, Cubes & Chips
  • Meat Bites & Cubes
  • Meat Chips & Crisps

Other Specialty Snacks

  • Sausage Snacks
  • Deli-Style Sliced Packs
  • Combination Packs (meat + cheese/nuts)

By Meat Source

  • Beef
  • Turkey
  • Pork
  • Chicken
  • Bison, Venison & Exotic Meats
  • Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

By Flavour Profile

  • Original & Classic
  • Spicy (Chili, Jalapeño, Hot BBQ)
  • Sweet (Teriyaki, Honey BBQ)
  • Savory & Herb-Infused (Garlic, Pepper, Smoked)
  • Ethnic/Global (Korean BBQ, Szechuan, Mexican Spice)

By Distribution Channel

  • Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
  • Convenience Stores
  • Online Retail & E-commerce
  • Gas Stations & Travel Retail
  • Specialty Health & Fitness Stores

By Consumer Demographics

  • Fitness and Active Adults 
  • Millennials Seeking Functional Nutrition 
  • Outdoor & Sports Consumers
  • Children & Teenagers (Flavoured/Sweet Variants)

By Packaging Type

  • Single-Serve Packs
  • Multi-Pack Family Size
  • Resealable Pouches
  • Shelf-Ready Boxes
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  • Report Covered: [Revenue + Volume]
  • Historical Year: 2021-2023
  • Base Year: 2024
  • Estimated Years: 2025-2034

Meet the Team

Vidyesh Swar, Senior Research Analyst at Towards Food & Beverages, specializes in market research, focusing on supply-demand evaluation, pricing analysis, alternative proteins, plant-based foods, and sustainable food technologies within the industry.

Learn more about Vidyesh Swar

Aditi Shivarkar, with 14+ years in Food and Beverages market research, specializes in food, beverage, and eco-friendly packaging. She ensures accurate, actionable insights, driving Towards FnB's excellence in industry trends and sustainability.

Learn more about Aditi Shivarkar

Related Insights

FAQ's

The U.S. meat snacks market was valued at USD 4.28 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4%, reaching USD 7.96 billion by 2034. This growth is driven by rising demand for high-protein, on-the-go snacking options among health-conscious and busy consumers.

Consumers are seeking clean-label, low-carb, and high-protein snacks, fueling the rise of innovative flavors and plant-based alternatives. Ethnic and spicy variants, as well as functional nutrition snacks, are gaining popularity, especially among millennials and health-conscious buyers.

Within the U.S. Meat Snacks Market, meat bars and plant-based meat snacks are expected to yield the highest return on investment due to increasing demand for keto-friendly, protein-rich, and easy-to-carry food formats. These segments are particularly appealing to health-focused millennials and fitness-conscious adults.

The shift toward healthier snacking has led to increased demand for protein-rich, low-sugar, and clean-ingredient snacks. Consumers prefer products that support active lifestyles and offer convenience, fueling rapid growth in premium and functional meat snacks.

The U.S. meat snacks market faces challenges such as supply chain disruptions, rising raw material costs, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the rise of plant-based eating and sustainability concerns are pushing traditional brands to rethink product development and sourcing.

The U.S. meat snacks market is driven by fitness-focused adults and millennials, who demand high-protein, low-carb snacks with convenient packaging. These groups value nutritional functionality and are influenced by social media and lifestyle trends.

In the U.S. meat snacks market, single-serve packs dominate due to convenience and portion control, while resealable pouches are rising due to improved shelf life and reusability. Packaging innovation is key to capturing consumer attention and enabling e-commerce growth.

E-commerce is transforming the U.S. meat snacks market by providing broader reach, personalization, and convenience. Online channels support targeted marketing and allow brands to offer a wider variety of flavors and formats directly to consumers.