While visiting the USA in 2013, I made an online purchase for a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of Golden Valley Natural beef jerky. The flavor being reviewed is their bar-b-que flavor, and this bag of jerky uses organic beef.
Since 1968, Golden Valley Natural has been a leading producer of natural and organic meat snacks in the United States. Golden Valley Natural is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The livestock used is advertised to be ethically ranch raised, where the animals have free range to green pastures, the way nature intended. This jerky is manufactured at USDA plants in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Organic Beef, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Water, Organic Ketchup (Organic tomato concentrate from red ripe organic tomatoes, organic distilled vinegar, organic sugar, salt, organic onion powder, organic spice, natural flavoring), Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt, Natural Smoke Flavoring, Organic Paprika, Organic Cayenne Pepper, Organic Black Pepper, Organic Onion Powder, Organic Garlic Powder
Certified organic beef is automatically going to receive among the highest ratings. It also helps that the beef was ethically raised, meaning no antibiotics or growth hormones were used. The livestock is advertised in that their diet is part grass fed, which has always been a natural part of their diet.
We have an interesting liquid marinade here consisting of organic evaporated cane juice, water, organic ketchup, and healthy organic apple cider vinegar. It is always welcome to have organic ingredients used.
A variety of healthy organic spices are used such as organic paprika, organic cayenne pepper, organic black pepper, organic onion powder, and organic garlic powder.
The sugar level is acceptable at 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Barbecue is a sweet based flavor, where 5 grams of sugar is the maximum amount of sugar allowed before being penalized. The salt level is also respectable at 270mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, sea salt is the main preservative used, which is a great choice. Sea salt is far less refined than regular table salt, and high on minerals/trace minerals. Admirably, this jerky also qualifies to have no MSG added.
Excellent (10/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
The jerky strips have a medium thickness, with medium to small pieces. The texture is fairly soft and very easy to chew. There is next to no fat visible, and the jerky is not too sticky, nor is there any residue left on your fingers.
The first thing you notice is that this jerky is sweet tasting. The organic ketchup taste is very noticeable. If you enjoy ketchup, then you will likely enjoy the taste of this barbecue flavored jerky. The salt level is mild.
I paid $6.19 for this 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky. That works out to $2.06 an ounce which would rate as an average price. Considering this is organic jerky, it should rate as a cheap price. This jerky is well worth the money, considering the quality of ingredients.
Bag Review
This is a standard resealable plastic bag. Everything is imprinted directly on the bag, and there are no labels affixed. The background of the bag is interesting, with what looks like some woven fabric.
The Golden Valley Natural logo is a cowboy with a lasso riding a horse. Their slogan is “Flavor of the West”. Facts displayed on this bag are “No Artificial Ingredients”, “High Protein”, “Minimally Processed”, “Low Fat”, “Natural Smoke Flavoring Added”, “No Preservatives”, “No Erythorbate”, “No Added MSG”, “No Nitrite”, and “Beef Raised Without Added Hormones and Without Antibiotics”. There is a USDA Organic stamp, and also an Organic Gluten Free stamp displayed.
All bag categories are covered except one. There is no blurb printed about Golden Valley Natural, or this flavor. To the credit of Golden Valley Natural, they provide a toll free phone number for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.goldenvalleynatural.com
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