Beef Jerky Trail Mix Snack Board
Beef Jerky Trail Mix Snack Board
A beef jerky trail mix snack board is a no-cook spread that turns the components of trail mix into a shareable board: piles of beef bites, dark chocolate, granola, nuts, and dried fruit set out together so everyone can build their own handful. To make it, you arrange a few protein-rich and sweet-salty elements in small piles or bowls on a board and fill the gaps so it looks full. What makes it special is that the anchor ingredients are real, named makers, grass-fed beef bites, single-origin dark chocolate, and grain-free granola, so it eats better than a bag of mixed snacks. It serves 6 to 8 and takes about 15 minutes to assemble.
The Madeline's products that make this work
Sogo Snacks Original Grass-Fed Beef Bites
These bite-sized pieces of 100 percent grass-fed and grass-finished beef are the savory anchor of the board. They are sized for snacking straight from the pile and bring the salty, protein-rich side that makes trail mix satisfying.
Goodnow Farms Boyaca Dark Chocolate
This single-origin Colombian dark chocolate bar from Goodnow Farms is made with beans from Boyaca. Broken into shards, it is the sweet, melt-in-your-hand piece of the board that stands in for chocolate chips in classic trail mix.
Grandy Organics Original Coconola
This grain-free, coconut-based granola from Grandy Organics is certified gluten-free and loaded with seeds and coconut chips. A scoop adds crunch and clusters to scatter across the board for the trail-mix feel.
Hidden Hollow Honey Stix
Raw honey straws from Hidden Hollow Honey are single-serving and mess-free, a sweet, portable bonus tucked into the board. Guests can snap one open for a hit of honey alongside the salty and crunchy bites.
Ingredients
- 8 oz Sogo Snacks Original Grass-Fed Beef Bites
- 1 bar Goodnow Farms Boyaca Dark Chocolate, broken into pieces
- 1.5 cups Grandy Organics Original Coconola
- A handful of Hidden Hollow Honey Stix
- 1 cup mixed roasted nuts, such as almonds, cashews, and peanuts
- 1 cup dried fruit, such as cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots
- 1 cup pretzels or seeded crackers
Instructions
- Choose a large wooden board or platter. Set out two or three small bowls for loose items like nuts and dried fruit, which keeps the board tidy and easy to refill.
- Place the beef bites in a generous pile toward one side as the savory anchor.
- Break the chocolate bar into shards and stack them in their own corner so they do not soften against warmer items.
- Add scoops of granola and the pretzels or crackers in separate piles, letting some clusters spill onto the board for the trail-mix look.
- Fill the small bowls with the nuts and dried fruit and tuck them into the open spaces.
- Lay the honey straws across the board as a sweet extra. Fill any remaining gaps so the board looks full, and serve.
Tips and variations
Build the board around whatever pairs well: swap the original beef bites for a jalapeno or smoked variety, or use the dark chocolate coconola for a chocolate-forward board. For a hike or lunchbox, combine the same elements in a jar or bag to make a portable trail mix. Keep the chocolate away from any warm spot so it holds its shape, and add the granola last so it stays crisp. A small bowl of jam or hot honey on the side gives a dip option.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a trail mix snack board?
Arrange the classic trail mix components, jerky or beef bites, dark chocolate, granola, nuts, and dried fruit, in separate piles and small bowls on a large board, then fill the gaps so it looks abundant. Keep loose items in bowls, set the chocolate in a cooler corner, and add the granola last so everything stays crisp and tidy.
What goes in a jerky trail mix board?
A good board balances savory, sweet, and crunchy: a protein like grass-fed beef bites, something sweet like single-origin dark chocolate, a crunchy base like granola and nuts, and chewy dried fruit. Pretzels, seeded crackers, and honey straws round it out.
Can I make this board ahead of time?
Yes. Portion the dry components into bags or containers a day ahead, then assemble the board within an hour or two of serving. Add the chocolate and granola last so the chocolate keeps its shape and the granola stays crunchy.
Is this board gluten-free?
It can be. The Grandy Organics Coconola is certified gluten-free and the beef bites, chocolate, nuts, and dried fruit are naturally gluten-free, so swap the pretzels or crackers for gluten-free versions to keep the whole board gluten-free. Always check individual labels.
How should I store leftovers?
Return each component to its own airtight container or bag rather than storing them mixed, so the jerky and granola do not soften. Kept separately, the dry items last for their usual shelf life, and the beef bites should be stored according to the package.
Related
Shop the collections: Meat & Seafood and Sweets.
More guides: The Best Grass-Fed Beef Jerky and Meat Snacks and The Best Artisan Sampler Sets for Food Gifting.