Oct 30 • General discussion
How to price your beef jerky for sale to family and friends
💰 Step 1: Know Your Costs
Break down cost per batch:
- Meat cost (e.g., $6/lb for lean beef)
- Marinade ingredients (soy sauce, sugar, spices, etc.)
- Electricity/gas (dehydrator or smoker)
- Packaging (resealable bags, labels)
- Time (optional, but include it if you’re spending hours on prep & cleanup)
Example:
Item Cost
2 lbs top round $12
Marinade & spices $3
Dehydration (electricity) $1
Packaging $2
Total cost per batch $18
After drying, you might get ~1 lb of jerky. So, base cost = $18/lb (or ~$1.13 per ounce).
💵 Step 2: Add a Fair Markup
You can price based on relationship and intent:
Option A — Friendly Pricing (Cost + Small Margin):
Great if you’re just sharing your hobby.Example: $1.50–$2.00 per ounce.(~$24–$32 per lb)
Option B — Soft Business Pricing (Cost + Profit):
If you’re testing the waters for real sales.Example: $2.50–$3.00 per ounce.(~$40–$48 per lb)
Option C — Premium Craft Pricing (For Gifting or Niche Demand):
For unique flavors or smoked jerky.Example: $3.50–$5.00 per ounce.(~$56–$80 per lb)
🧠 Step 3: Read the Room
You’re selling to family and friends, so:
- Be transparent about your costs (“I just want to cover what I spend and a little for my time”).
- Offer bundle deals (e.g., Buy 3 packs, get 1 free).
- Keep your packaging clean and labeled — it builds credibility.
🎯 Step 4: Example Pricing Tiers
Pack Size: The amount of ounces in your packaging
Friendly: Pricing to cover basic costs and your hours put in
Soft Business: Some profit after covering basic costs
Premium: Good profit after covering all costs (marketing, event space rentals, etc.)
2 oz
Friendly $4
Soft Business $5
Premium $7
4 oz
Friendly $7
Soft Business $9
Premium $12
8 oz
Friendly $13
Soft Business $16
Premium $22
🔥 Pro Tip:
Add a little branding touch — even a handwritten label like“Coach Jay’s OG Beef Jerky – Small Batch, Big Flavor” This makes it feel legit and more than just a “favor sale.”
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How to price your beef jerky for sale to family and friends
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