Smoking Gun Jerky – Smoky Mesquite Beef Jerky

Back in 2012, I made an online purchase of Smoking Gun Jerky. This review will focus on a 4 ounce/113 gram bag of their Smoky Mesquite Flavor.

Smoking Gun Jerky is manufactured and distributed by Smoking Gun Jerky, Inc. based out of Lincoln, Nebraska. The company was founded in 2009 by entrepreneur Dave Ferguson. The original objective for Smoking Gun Jerky, Inc. was to sell a liquid marinade for people who wanted to make their own jerky. In 2010, Smoking Gun Jerky, Inc. started selling jerky using their own liquid marinade. Today, they have over 10 flavors available.

Ingredient Review

Ingredients: Beef, Sauce, Soy, Sugar, Artificial Flavor, Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, Garlic, Sauce, Hot, Cayenne Pepper, Chili Pepper, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder    Allergen Warnings: Soy

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.

We have an interesting liquid marinade used here consisting of soy sauce, lemon juice, lime juice, and hot sauce. There are also two sauces in the ingredient list with no details provided. These liquids do not have their ingredients listed, which is legal. Healthy lemon juice and lime juice acts as a meat tenderizer.

There would be some hot flavor to this jerky with hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chili peppers and chili powder used as ingredients. In general, hot peppers are healthy if eaten in moderation.

The disappointing aspect of this ingredient list is how the smoky mesquite flavor is achieved. The vague artificial flavor ingredient is listed, which is notoriously unhealthy.

While a nutrition facts table is provided, the sugar content is not given. It would seem to be a low sugar level, seeing how no sweeteners are in this ingredient list. The salt level is quite low at 105mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.

This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt is the main preservative. Also, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.

Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating

Taste Review

My apologies to Smoking Gun Jerky, Inc., where I did not keep any taste notes whatsoever on their Smoking Gun Jerky. I do remember enjoying every single flavor that I tried, and being disappointed when the whole order (6 flavors) was consumed.

I paid $7.00 for this 4 ounce/113 gram bag of jerky. That works out to $1.75 an ounce, which would rate as an average price. Now in 2014, the cost is still $7, but for a 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag. That works out to $2.15 an ounce using today’s prices, still an average price. This jerky is recommended as a decent buy.

Good (8/10) – Taste Rating

Bag Review

This is a very plain, clear, resealable plastic bag. There is a label affixed to the front, and nothing on the back. The Smoking Gun Jerky logo is good, displaying a smoking rifle.

There are no slogans or facts printed on this bag.

The majority of bag categories are covered. Missing is the jerky weight stated in grams, a best before date, and a USDA inspected stamp. Admirably, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries.

Alright (6/10) – Bag Rating