Behind the Scenes of Making Beef Jerky: From USDA Beef to Bold Flavor

When you tear open a bag of great beef jerky, you’re tasting more than just seasoned beef — you’re experiencing hours of craftsmanship, precision, and care. At Pap’s, we believe the best jerky starts long before it ever hits a package.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how our beef jerky is made — and how that same process can support brands looking for a trusted co-packing partner.

About the Plant: Where Craft Meets Capability

Our brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Louisville, Kentucky is where tradition and modern food manufacturing come together. This isn’t mass-produced jerky churned out on autopilot — our team is hands-on at every stage.

At the plant, the Pap’s team hand-packs big, thin slices of succulent, delicious beef jerky, ensuring consistency, quality, and that signature texture customers love. The result? A premium product that stands out on shelves and makes you the hero of any outdoor gathering.

Step 1: Selecting USDA Beef

Every batch starts with carefully selected USDA beef. Choosing the right cuts is essential to creating jerky that’s tender, flavorful, and built to absorb our marinades.

We work closely with trusted beef providers to source what each product requires, adapting to changing specs and standards while maintaining consistency from batch to batch.

Step 2: Marination & Seasoning

Once selected, the beef is marinated and seasoned with precision. This is where flavor is built layer by layer. Marinades are carefully measured, monitored, and timed to ensure consistency across batches.

Whether it’s a bold, savory profile or a custom spice blend, this stage is where brands truly come to life.

Step 3: Slow Cooking for Maximum Flavor

Great jerky can’t be rushed. After marination, the beef is slow cooked for hours, allowing flavors to deepen while achieving the perfect texture. The process is closely monitored to meet both food safety standards and taste expectations.

This balance of time, temperature, and technique is what delivers the unique and beloved flavor Pap’s Jerky is known for.

Hand Packing & Quality Control

After cooking, each batch is hand-packed by our experienced team. This ensures visual consistency, accurate portioning, and a final quality check before packaging.

Hand packing allows us to maintain a premium feel while still operating at a scale that supports growing brands.

From Our Brand to Yours: Co-Packing Capabilities

The same systems, standards, and expertise that go into making Pap’s Jerky are available to brands looking for a reliable beef jerky co-packing partner. Whether you’re launching a new jerky brand or scaling an existing one, partnering with an experienced team and a modern facility can make all the difference.

Behind every great bag of beef jerky is a process built on quality ingredients, patience, and people who care about the product. At Pap’s, we’ve designed our operation to deliver exceptional jerky — and to help other brands do the same.

If you’re looking for a behind-the-scenes partner who understands flavor, consistency, and growth, you’re already in the right place.