Last updated 1 hour ago | Originally Published: September 9, 2025
Slim Jim meat sticks have been around for nearly 100 years, so, in other words, all my life! I’ve been a fan of them ever since I could remember, which would put us somewhere around the mid-1980s. Then the ‘90s rolled around, and that’s when the brand roared the loudest with its popular advertisement slogan, “Snap into a Slim Jim,” a phrase made famous by the late legend, Macho Man Randy Savage. The brand still pays homage to the man who smashed Ted DiBiase in WrestleMania IV, winning his first WWF Championship belt.
Slim Jim Flavors and Rankings
Since then, many years have passed. Nowadays, Slim Jim is the King of meat sticks and is more popular than ever before. Nowadays, you can find this brand in many flavors and sizes, and I’ve tried them all, including several beef jerky flavors, as well as discontinued flavors like Habanero and Smokin’ Apple, although those were part of the brand’s jerky product line, but now that I think about it, I don’t recall a meat stick flavor that was ever discontinued, maybe a few sizes here and there, but not flavor. Let me know if you can think of one!
As for my rankings, they’re based solely on my personal experiences over the years. All I did was rank them in the order of the Slim Jim flavors (meat sticks only) that I liked the most to the least. However, I like them all, some more than others, of course, but I think they’re all pretty good. Not to mention, my least favorite might be your new #1, so only you can determine which ones are the best. My goal for ranking all these flavors is to highlight what’s available, making my list below strictly about discovery!
1. Slim Jim Beef ‘n Cheese
Beef ‘n Cheese is Slim Jim at its absolute best in my opinion. The meat sticks have a salty, smoky flavor that I really like a lot, but when paired with the stick of cheese, it hits another level. The Big Boss size is the way to go because it’s meatier and cheesier, and the balance between the meat and cheese hits the spot every time. Plus, it provides just enough protein and calcium to hold me over to my next meal, usually dinner. If I had to pick one Slim Jim flavor for life, this would be the one. It’s the ultimate combo snack, especially with a bag of chips!
2. Slim Jim Original ‘n Cheese
The Original ‘n Cheese is straightforward and delicious. You get the classic Slim Jim flavor we all know and love, plus a stick of cheese that adds a smooth finish that complements the meat stick flavor. If you know, you know. It doesn’t need anything extra; it’s just good the way it is. However, like all Slim Jim flavors, they pair perfectly with a bag of chips, especially Doritos! For me, these are the best for a road trip, a long day at work, or wherever I just want a quick grab at the gas station. It’s familiar, tasty, and always available!
3. Slim Jim Original
Original Slim Jim is the classic for a reason. It’s the one that made the brand and perhaps the best-selling flavor of them all. From the small Original size to the giant Savage size, it doesn’t matter; the flavor is the same. I could eat these all day long, especially the little .25¢ ones, I could eat 10 of those and keep it pushing! Plus, they go with any chips you can think of, including something like Lay’s Salt & Vinegar, which I know because I’ve had many times, and highly recommend. It’s the flavor that started everything, and it’s still America’s favorite today!
4. Slim Jim Nacho
Nacho Slim Jim meat sticks taste like they were made to be eaten with chips, especially Doritos Cool Ranch, not Nacho, as you’d expect. The contrast somehow brings them together as if it were meant to be. Available in the Giant size, I found these Jim Jim meat sticks to be meaty, cheesy, and loaded with flavor! The need to come out with one that offers the original Slim Jim with a separate nacho cheese stick would be crazy! Now that I’m thinking about it, I want one of these now, plus some Doritos and a Pepsi. Challenge accepted.
5. Slim Jim Pepperoni ‘n Cheese
Pepperoni ‘n Cheese isn’t your traditional Slim Jim, which is exactly why I love it so much! The pepperoni flavor gives it a more cheesy pizza taste, and the cheese stick on the side is a bonus. Without it, I don’t think I’d like these as much; in fact, I know I wouldn’t. These sticks are available in Original and Big Boss sizes, so it all depends on how hungry you are! As for pairing, I recommend something like a bag of Lay’s Original potato chips and a cold bottle of your favorite soda; anyone will do the trick! If you have a better way, please share!
6. Slim Jim Original Deli Style
The Original Deli Style Slim Jim changes up the texture a little, making it a little thicker, meatier, and closer to the kind of meat stick you’d find at your local butcher shop. The flavor is still that classic Slim Jim taste, but the style makes it taste like a fresh cut of meat. In a nutshell, it’s just a meatier version compared to the original. So, if you like a heavier bite, Deli Style is worth grabbing. Although it’s great just the way it comes, I’m still going to town with a bag of chips! For this Slim Jim flavor, I recommend Lay’s Sweet Southern Heat BBQ.
7. Slim Jim Original ‘n Jalapeno Cheese
Original ‘n Jalapeno Cheese Slim Jim meat sticks aren’t my favorite, but every now and then, I catch myself craving them. As for taste, it starts off with the classic Slim Jim snap, then the jalapeno heat sneaks in, balanced by the creamy cheese stick that it comes with. It’s not overpowering, which makes it easy to finish. For me, it’s one of the better spiced Slim Jims because the cheese makes sure the heat doesn’t take over, even though it’s the cheese putting off all the heat; strange how that works, right? I recommend Nacho Doritos and maybe a Mtn. Dew!
8. Slim Jim Mild
Mild is the flavor that tones things down while preserving the traditional Slim Jim snap you know and expect. I don’t eat these often, but when I do, it’s usually because I’m in the mood for a Slim Jim but nothing too spicy, which is a mood that doesn’t come often. They’re available in Original size, Giant, Monster, or Savage, so you definitely have options. As for pairing, I recommend gas station nachos & cheese and your favorite soda, I suggest grape! If you have a better pairing idea, please share in the comments below; I have to know!
9. Slim Jim Teriyaki
Teriyaki Slim Jim is perhaps the sweetest flavor in the entire lineup, and it comes in Giant and Monster sizes, perfect for when you want more than a quick snack. The teriyaki sauce adds a sweet, soy-based flavor that complements the usual smoky taste. It’s not my first pick, but it’s a good change of pace when I want something different. If you’re into jerky-style teriyaki, this Slim Jim version scratches that itch without going too far. You can enjoy these with whatever comes to mind, but I recommend Backyard Barbecue Kettle Chips! Sounds good, right?
10. Slim Jim Hot AF
All I can really say about this one is, Hot AF lives up to the name! It’s the spiciest Slim Jims out there, and it’s available in Giant and Monster sizes, and it doesn’t pull back on the heat. I don’t always go for spicy Slim Jims, but this one has a solid balance of flavor and burn. I had one with a Subway tuna footlong and a bag of Classic Lay’s Potato Chips recently, and it was a perfect combo. Usually, I wouldn’t go for this one, but I was in the mood and I knew that the cold tuna sandwich would ease the pain. For a drink, I recommend a big, cold bottle of water!
11. Slim Jim Tabasco
Tabasco Slim Jim is made for people who love Tabasco sauce. The heat and tang are unmistakable, and it comes in Giant and Monster sizes, so you can get as much as you want. Personally, I’m more of a Frank’s RedHot person, but I can see why this flavor hits with fans of the sauce. It tastes exactly like a Tabasco Slim Jim should, so if that’s your favorite hot sauce brand, this is your Slim Jim! Now that I think about it, maybe I should write to them and suggest a Franks RedHot collaboration; after all, you can put that sh*t on everything!
12. Slim Jim Dill Pickle
Dill Pickle is, without a doubt, my second least favorite Slim Jim flavor! I don’t hate it, even though I’m not a huge fan of pickled-flavored snacks, which are a big hit this year, and I had some good ones, including this Dill Pickle-flavored Slim Jim, which I kind of like, but when compared to the other flavors, it’s honestly ranked. It wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t finish it, but one was enough for me. Only you can judge, so if this sounds as interesting to you as it did to me, then snap into one and see if it hits the spot. I double dare you to try it.
13. Slim Jim Monster Honey BBQ
Honey BBQ sounded like it was going to be a home run, but for me, it just didn’t pair well with a Slim Jim, so it ranks last. The sweet sauce flavor clashed too much with the smokiness of the meat stick, although it shouldn’t have. Now, I like Honey BBQ, so my rankings aren’t because I dislike this flavor; it just simply didn’t go together. However, nobody really has a say, as our taste buds tell us what we like and dislike, so don’t take my word with a grain of salt; it may be your next favorite Slim Jim flavor! I guess the only thing to do now is pick up a pack and give it a try!
Where to Buy All Slim Jim Flavors Online
As most people know, you can buy Slim Jims from just about anywhere meat snacks are sold, including here at Candy Retailer, where we offer 20 different brands. To no surprise, Slim Jim is one of the leading names in this category, and one of our best-selling snack brands in our store! Knowing that, we’re always looking for something new, which at the time of this post would be the new limited-edition Slim Jim x Buffalo Wild Wings collaboration flavor. You can only find it at 7-Eleven, Speedway, and some other convenience stores, but not online yet. However, by the time you read this, it may be available in our store or discontinued, depending on when you find us! On that note, we carry all flavors, including limited-edition flavors, so whatever you’re in the mood for, we’ve got you covered.
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