Note: For a more current taste review on a tweaked bag design and ingredient list, open up Smokehouse Jerky Co. – Ole Cracked Pepper Beef Jerky (Recipe #2).
The first review for the Smokehouse Jerky Co. brand will be on a 3 ounce/84 gram bag of their ole cracked pepper flavor. This jerky was kindly submitted for review by Trent Levinson from Tender Heifer Snack Co.
This jerky is manufactured and distributed by Tender Heifer Snack Co., where they are located in Beaumont, California. The Smokehouse Jerky Co. brand name was launched in 2008. All of their beef jerky is made using the brisket cut of beef, which is believed to be the best cut of beef to absorb a marinade. They sell nine different flavors of beef jerky, and two flavors of bacon jerky, all made in small batches.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Water, Brown Sugar, Lemon Juice, Liquid Smoke (Water, Natural Hickory Smoke Concentrate), Garlic Powder, Black Pepper. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
This brisket cut of beef used is from cattle raised in California. The liquid marinade consists of soy sauce, water, lemon juice, and liquid hickory smoke. Lemon juice is an interesting choice, where lemons offer many health benefits.
Healthy spices such as garlic powder and black pepper are used.
The sugar level is respectable at only 3 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. However, the salt level is extremely high at 600mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less.
As advertised, there are no unhealthy preservatives used, where this jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips are mostly medium in size, and are also sliced to a medium thickness. There is a great dry texture, where this jerky is easy to chew even with a dry texture. Handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers, and there are barely any visible signs of fat.
The first tastes detected are a fairly strong soy flavor, and then the natural beef flavor. There is a slight tart, or tangy taste from the lemon juice that really adds to the overall flavor.
With this being an ole cracked pepper flavor, the peppered taste starts off as mild. As you eat more strips the peppery level increases, but it never really exceeds a medium-low level. There is a mild sweetness, and a moderate salt level. The garlic taste is faint, and there is a mild smoked taste in the background. Overall, a great tasting black pepper flavor.
This 3 ounce/84 gram bag of jerky sells online for $6.00. That works out to $2.00 an ounce, which rates as an average price. For sure this jerky is worth your money for people who enjoy a homemade tasting jerky, with a peppered flavor.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This is a standard resealable plastic bag, with a label affixed on the front, and nothing on the back. The label has a fairly detailed picture that looks like a wooden shack with a “Jerky Co.” sign, and trees in the background.
Some facts printed on this bags are “Old Fashion Recipe”, “No Added MSG”, “No Added Preservatives”, “Made in U.S.A.”, “Old Fashion”, “Natural Smoke Flavoring Added”, and “Brisket”.
All bag categories are covered. There is no blurb printed about Smokehouse Jerky Co. or Tender Heifer Snack Co., but there is no available space.
Order their jerky online: www.tenderheifersnackco.com
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