In 2010, I purchased this 3.5 ounce/99 gram original flavored bag of Arizona Jack’s beef jerky while visiting Daytona Beach, Florida, at a grocery store.
On the Arizona Jack’s web site, they explain how they have been making jerky for nearly 30 years using USDA approved meat from their plant. They go on to say the jerky is smoked in “state-of-the-art” ovens. As advertised on the bag, this jerky is definitely soft and tender.
This jerky is distributed by Arizona Jacks Beef Jerky, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. I highly suspect a large private label jerky company named Prime Snax, Inc. manufactures this jerky, where there are a few clues to be determined in future reviews.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Seasonings (Water, Tomato Concentrate, Dextrose, Sugar, Vinegar, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Citric Acid, Flavorings), Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soy beans, Salt), Sugar, Garlic, Apple Vinegar, Salt, Natural Smoke Flavoring, Citric Acid, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite, Smoke Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The beef used is imported from Uruguay, and further processed in the USA. Unfortunately, due to new labeling laws, jerky makers are no longer required to state the origin of the beef used. The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of water, healthy tomato concentrate, healthy vinegar, an average soy sauce, and very healthy apple cider vinegar. Tomato concentrate is an interesting ingredient for an original flavor jerky. It’s loaded with the antioxidant lycopene.
Also included is garlic, which commonly makes top 10 food lists. It belongs to the allium family, which has anti-cholesterol, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, among other things.
Unfortunately, corn starch and modified corn starch are used. Both are highly processed, where corn products have no business being in jerky.
The sugar level is fairly reasonable at 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Ideally, the sugar level would be 3 grams and under. The salt level is extremely high at 640mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less.
We are hit with the double whammy of sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite used as preservatives. On a better note, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
The thickness of pieces are mostly medium to thick. There is a soft and tender texture. The taste itself is decent, and the type of jerky that kids tend to love, being mild and easy to chew.
While I am not even sure anymore, I believe this bag of jerky cost $5.99. Based on their web site today, this 3.5 ounce/99 gram bag of jerky sells for $7.00. That works out to exactly $2.00 an ounce, which is an average price.
Bag Review
This particular bag is used by many jerky brands. A telltale sign is the ‘Soft & Delicious’ slogan at the very top. It’s an interesting bag, where some things that could be shared between different jerky makers are imprinted directly on the bag itself. For all of the Arizona Jack’s specific details there are labels affixed.
One interesting fact is that everything on this bag is also translated to French, which would seem odd for a product sold in Florida. Some facts printed on this bag are “High in Protein”, “Low in Fat”, “Made from solid strips of beef”, and “Soft & Delicious”.
The majority of bag categories are met. Missing is a blurb printed about Arizona Jack’s, and this flavor.
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