What is carne seca beef jerky?

Carne seca (literally "dried meat") was traditionally prepared by indigenous tribes in the American southwest who slow-dried strips of cured beef in the sun to remove moisture and preserve the meat without refrigeration.

The result of this process is a dry, brittle strip of beef with a crispy texture that differs from most commercial beef jerky products, which often contain oil for moisture, sugar for taste, and artificial preservatives to remain shelf-stable.

While our modern preparation uses electric ovens to speed up the drying process, our product is nearly identical to what our ancestors ate over a century ago: dry, cured beef that "snaps" apart and rehydrates in your mouth as you chew.

For almost 40 years, Old Santa Fe Trail Beef Jerky has been making our family's traditional recipe for carne seca, as well as four additional flavors that highlight local New Mexico ingredients.

Explore our five delicious flavors or buy a Sampler Pack to try them all!