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Good Housekeeping / Mike Garten

Good Housekeeping's Best High-Protein Snacks for On-the-Go Energy

Fuel your day with the best high-protein snacks like jerky, tinned fish and bone broth, all winners in our Good Housekeeping 2025 Best Snack Awards.

Protein is the macronutrient of the moment and a great go-to whether you're fueling up post-workout or in the middle of the workday. This year's high-protein winners in Good Housekeeping's Best Snack Awards don't disappoint. We tested everything from savory jerky and bold flavors of canned tuna to soothing bone broth to find the best options full of flavor and quality ingredients. Not only did these winners pass rigorous taste tests, but they are better-for-you options that boast impressive nutritionals. Check out which protein-rich picks stood out from the rest of the pack. And if you're looking for other protein-packed picks, this year's winning dairy products fit the bill too.

Explore All of Good Housekeeping's 2025 Snack Award Winners

Best Beef Jerky

Lorissa's Kitchen Heat Seeker Jalapeño Beef Stick

Heat Seeker Jalapeño Beef Stick

This fiery protein-packed snack from Lorissa's Kitchen delivers a smoky and savory taste explosion, all while packing in 8 g of protein from 100% grass-fed and finished beef.

LAB RESULTS: Our dietitians were impressed that this is the first and only meat stick on the market that is certified free of the top nine allergens. And the jalapeño heat was just right. "I was concerned that it might set my mouth on fire, but it had less of a kick to it, which I enjoyed very much," one taste tester said.

Best Bone Broth

Brodo Signature Hearth Bone Broth

Signature Hearth Bone Broth

Named after Chef Marco Canora’s iconic NYC restaurant, Brodo's Signature Hearth Bone Broth is made from scratch and features a family recipe that combines roasted organic chicken, organic turkey, 100% grass-fed beef and organic vegetables. Drink it straight or use it as the ultimate cooking hack.

LAB RESULTS: Cozy and flavorful, this bone broth is a nutritional superstar with 10 g of protein at under 50 calories. "Wonderful layers of flavor and great ingredients," chef and TV personality Alejandra Ramos commented. "I also love the convenient packaging and the fact that it's shelf-stable."

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Best Turkey Jerky

PREVAIL. Original Turkey Jerky

Original Turkey Jerky

If you're looking for a beef jerky alternative, Prevail's turkey jerky fits the bill. Its smoky and savory flavor profile is complemented by a hint of coconut sugar for a seriously delectable protein-forward snack.

LAB RESULTS: Prevail's quality ingredient list is second to none, and taste testers absolutely loved each and every bite of the unique jerky. "The texture of each piece is so delicious and so tender," one taste tester raved. "You still chew it, but it's melting in your mouth. Perfect for the whole family, and my kids love it too."

Best Tuna in a Can

Wild Planet Skipjack Tuna with Dill Pickle

Skipjack Tuna with Dill Pickle
Credit: Wild Planet

Dill pickle is the moment, and it has made its way into the tuna aisle. Wild Planet brings that briny, tangy dill pickle flavor you know and love to its Skipjack tuna. Best of all, the snack is loaded with 16 g of protein and 19 mg of omega-3's.

LAB RESULTS: "I’ve had my fair share of bland tuna, and the texture can sometimes be off-putting, but this Skipjack tuna was different," dietitian Valerie Agyeman described. "The fish was super fresh, and the flavor was spot on with the tangy pickle, lemon and just the right touch of salt. Definitely one of the better-tasting and fresher tuna options I’ve had!"

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Best Grass-Fed Jerky

Archer Grass-Fed Beef & Cheese Mini Sticks

Grass-Fed Beef & Cheese Mini Sticks

Perfectly portable, this mini savory snack from Archer has only 50 calories but packs in 4 g of protein. It's crafted from 100% grass-fed beef and real cheddar cheese, which adds a savory note, and is made without preservatives and nitrates.

LAB RESULTS: Testers loved that the snack was something different than their usual rotation and was ideal for on the go. "Nice size snack that fits in your purse or backpack," one person commented. "It has a good amount of protein for its size and the cheese adds nice flavor."

Best Chicken Jerky

New Primal Snack Mates Chicken & Maple Mini Sticks

Snack Mates Chicken & Maple Mini Sticks

Made from all-natural chicken raised without hormones or antibiotics, this family-friendly meat stick from New Primal is individually wrapped, making it great for school lunchboxes or parents' office snacks.

LAB RESULTS: "A great blend of flavors, handy to grab and go and a healthy alternative to most portable snacks," a tester commented. Another loved that the touch of maple syrup wasn't too sweet and complemented the savory chicken flavor profile nicely.

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Best Turkey Breast

True Story Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Snack Pack

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Snack Pack

Fabulously snackable, each convenient, ready-to-eat package from True Story features humanely raised, slow-roasted mini turkey slices. Enjoy them on their own or atop your favorite crackers.

LAB RESULTS: We appreciated that the snack is crafted without added nitrates or preservatives. And testers loved that the bites were curated for snacking. "I like that I could pop a small round of turkey in my mouth without a mess of biting it off of a bigger piece," one person explained.

Best Tuna in a Pouch

StarKist Tuna Creations Lemon Pepper

Tuna Creations Lemon Pepper

The ultimate balance of protein, flavor and convenience, StarKist's Tuna Creations Lemon Pepper comes in a portable pouch (no draining or can opener needed)! Enjoy it straight from the pouch or pair it with your favorite crackers and veggie sticks.

LAB RESULTS: Registered dietitian Valerie Agyeman loved how easy these pouches make it to add more fish into her routine and get in those omega-3's. "The wild-caught tuna has a great flavor, enhanced with refreshing lemon and cracked black pepper," she described. "With just 80 calories and 16 g of protein, it’s a nutrient-packed option for busy days and for getting everyone on board with seafood."

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Hungry For More?

a green table with board games and assorted snacks
Good Housekeeeping / Mike Garten
Headshot of Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT
Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT
Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab, where she oversees all nutrition and fitness-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women's Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

Headshot of Alyssa Jung
Alyssa Jung
Senior Editor, Fitness & Nutrition
Alyssa is a senior editor for the Hearst Health Newsroom, where she has written research-backed health content for Prevention, Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day since 2017. She has more than 13 years of reporting and editing experience and previously worked as research chief at Reader's Digest, where she was responsible for the website's health vertical as well as editing health content for the print magazine. She has also written for Chowhound, Healthination.com, Huffington Post and more.
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