The New Primal Jerky Review: Sweetened with Fruit, Not Sugar
Most jerky leans on sugar for flavor balance. This one swaps it for honey and pineapple juice. Here's how that tastes.
Our Take
The New Primal built its jerky around 100% grass-fed beef with zero added cane sugar, using pineapple juice and honey to carry sweetness instead. The Honey & Cayenne flavor is the standout, a mild heat balanced by real sweetness rather than the one-note saltiness that shows up in a lot of mass-market jerky.
It's Whole30 approved and raised without antibiotics or added hormones, consistent sourcing across the product line. If you want more heat, the straight Spicy flavor runs hotter without changing the sourcing standard underneath.
The Basics
100% grass-fed, Whole30 approved, 0g added sugar, gluten-free. See our full jerky guide for how jerky differs from meat sticks and what to check on the label.
The New Primal, Available on Amazon
The New Primal 100% Grass-Fed Beef Jerky, Honey & Cayenne, 16oz (8 bags)
Sweetened with honey and pineapple juice, 0g added sugar, mild cayenne heat. Gluten-free, Whole30 approved.
The New Primal Spicy Beef Jerky, 2oz
A hotter flavor on the same 100% grass-fed base, Whole30 approved, zero sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is The New Primal jerky sweetened with 0g added sugar?
It uses pineapple juice and honey as the sweetening agents rather than cane sugar or corn syrup. Honey does contain natural sugars, which is why the label reads "0g added sugar" rather than "sugar-free," the distinction is about the source, not the total sweetness.
Is Honey & Cayenne very spicy?
It's a mild-to-moderate heat, cayenne pepper balanced by the honey's sweetness, not a hot-sauce-level burn. The Spicy flavor runs hotter if you want more kick.
Is The New Primal jerky genuinely grass-fed, not just "natural"?
Yes, 100% grass-fed beef, Whole30 approved, no antibiotics or added hormones, a specific sourcing claim rather than a vague "natural" label.