Last updated 12 hours ago | Originally Published: October 14, 2025
I’ve been a fan of Mingua Beef Jerky for more than twenty years, going back to my mid-20s when I first discovered it at a gas station. I didn’t know much about the brand at the time, but after that first experience, I was convinced. Since then, I’ve tried every Mingua flavor, and now I have my favorites! I’m not sure about you, but I often eat jerky, especially during the fall and winter seasons when our bodies need extra protein. Although I like beef jerky year-round, it’s still a seasonal meat snack that I enjoy most during cooler months.
So, for those who don’t know, Mingua Beef Jerky is a Kentucky-based brand that was started in 1994 by Ronnie Mingua. The company is still family-operated today, and that’s something you can taste in the quality of their jerky. Each piece is sliced from whole cuts of beef, seasoned, and dried to perfection. You can taste the difference right away; it’s chewy, meaty, full of flavor, and actually tastes like real beef jerky. Based on years of experience, the texture, flavor, and quality of this meat have never changed, so you know what you’re getting every time!
Below is my full flavor ranking based on my personal taste experience and preferences. Sure, most of us won’t agree entirely, which is something I understand and anticipate, so if your ranking differs from mine, feel free to share in the comments. The truth is, when it comes to food, especially beef jerky brands and flavors, it’s all opinionated. So sharing these rankings is more about discovery than my opinions. That said, I like all the Mingua Beef Jerky Flavors, especially Original, but here’s how they all stack up for me…
1. Mingua Original Beef Jerky
When it comes to Mingua Original Beef Jerky, this flavor is the king flavor of them all, the trend starter, and the one that turned me into a believer! Everything about it is real, from the texture to the taste. It’s salty, smoky, and tastes like beef, not sugar. This is what jerky should be, plain and simple. The flavor hasn’t changed since first trying this brand over 20 years ago, which is a testament to its consistency. If you like real beef jerky, I highly recommend trying Mingua!
2. Mingua Cajun Beef Jerky
Mingua Cajun Beef Jerky offers a perfect balance of real heat and flavor, featuring a southern-style spice that builds while you chew but never takes over. You can still taste the beef, and all the flavors at once, which is why it’s my second favorite Mingua flavor. The balance between the seasoning and the meat is spot on. I’ve been eating this Cajun-flavored jerky for years, and I’ll be a fan for as long as it’s available. If you like spicy jerky, this one’s for us!
3. Mingua Hot Beef Jerky
If you’re into spicy meat snacks, Mingua Hot Beef Jerky gets straight to the point! The spice is bold, up-front, and in your face, but not so hot that it overpowers the beef taste. The texture is firm, chewy, and smoky, just the way I like it, and probably you too. I’m generally not into food that causes pain, which many spicy foods are capable of, but Mingua knows how to balance flavors, a fact well-known to anyone who’s tried all flavors, as I have. Who agrees?
4. Mingua Sweet-Hot Beef Jerky
Mingua Sweet-Hot Beef Jerky is my 4th favorite because it represents the best of both worlds. The sweetness touches first, quickly followed by a blast of heat once you start chewing, creating a balance all the way through, until the last bite. As with all Mingua Jerky, it’s chewy, bold, and different from any other jerky flavor out there, including all top-name brands; nobody does it better! This is a tough flavor to pull off, but Mingua does it right.
5. Mingua BBQ Beef Jerky
Mingua BBQ Beef Jerky tastes like a backyard cookout in a bag. It’s smoky, a little sweet, and seasoned just right. The beef flavor is strong, which is what I like most about it. Plus, it’s not sticky or heavy on sauce like most BBQ jerkies, you know the ones. At this point, you can see that I love spicy jerky, but when I desire something a little more on the mild side, that’s when I reach for a bag of Mingua BBQ Beef Jerky, and it never fails to satisfy cravings!
6. Mingua Teriyaki Beef Jerky
Next up, I have to give it up to Mingua Teriyaki Beef Jerky, which has a light, sweet flavor that blends perfectly with the beef. The flavor is clean, not too sweet, and never overdone. The texture is firm, as real jerky should be, and the flavor is authentic teriyaki. Like the previous flavor, I like this one when I want something different from the original but not spicy, which usually leaves me with either BBQ or Teriyaki; it just all depends on my mood. I highly recommend.
7. Mingua Bourbon Beef Jerky
Mingua Bourbon Beef Jerky boasts a distinctive flavor profile that I found complex and savory, with a mix of sweet, salty, and smoky notes. The bourbon isn’t strong, but it gives the beef a nice finish. It’s not too bold, it’s steady, and it’s one of those flavors that grows on you over time. I don’t eat it as often as some of the others, but I always enjoy it when I do! If you want something different that is still authentic-tasting, this one’s the real deal and worth trying!
8. Mingua Garlic-Onion Beef Jerky
Mingua Garlic-Onion Beef Jerky is bold, savory, and full of garlic and onion flavors that naturally pair well together. It’s strong, but not in a bad way, and it tastes great with a cold drink. I prefer Pepsi. This option isn’t an everyday flavor for me, but every now and then, it stares me in the face and I give in! Although it’s ranked last on my list, it’s still the best garlic-onion flavored beef jerky on the market; no other brand does it better! Like all Mingua flavors, I highly recommend it.
Where to Buy All Mingua Beef Jerky Flavors
First and foremost, Candy Retailer has one of the largest selections of Mingua Beef Jerky online, including the best prices and shipping options. Other than that, you can generally find this brand wherever jerky is sold, including gas stations, but based on my experience, most stores don’t carry all flavors at once, which is why I recommended Candy Retailer right from the beginning. Best of all, you don’t have to travel far; you’re already here, just click on any button or link above and choose the Mingua Beef Jerky flavors that sound most appealing to you! After that, place your order and use promo code CANDY10, and enjoy 10% OFF your entire purchase!
About Mingua Beef Jerky
Mingua Beef Jerky is an unfunded, family-owned, Kentucky-based brand founded in 1994 by Ronnie Mingua. Now a generational tradition, this company uses premium, whole-muscle beef cuts. The jerky is hand-made and naturally preserved with sodium, the correct way. Mingua also maintains a strict all-natural mandate, using specialized USDA-compliant equipment for producing high-protein meat products that are free of nitrites and preservatives. This commitment to quality distinguishes the brand from others, which is why everyone loves it.
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