Smokehouse Jerky Co. – Sriracha Cha Cha Bacon Jerky (Review #1)

The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 2 ounce/56 gram bag of their Sriracha Cha Cha bacon jerky flavor. This jerky was kindly submitted for review by the owner, Trent Levinson.

This jerky is manufactured and distributed by Tender Heifer Snack Co., and based out of Beaumont, California. The Smokehouse Jerky Co. brand name was launched in 2008. They sell many different flavors of beef jerky, two flavors of bacon jerky, and now elk, buffalo, and venison jerky. All their jerky is made in small batches. Tender Heifer Snack Co. are always looking for new distributors across the United States, and offer private label services

Ingredient Review

Ingredients: Bacon (Water, Salt, Sugar, Smoke Flavoring, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Flavoring, Sodium Nitrate), White Sugar, Sriracha Sauce (Chili, Sugar, Salt, Garlic, Distilled Vinegar, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Bisulfite, and Xanthan Gum), Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Wine, Sugar, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice Extractives), Succinic Acid, Garlic Powder), Pepper, Garlic, Cayenne Powder, Ginger.    Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat

This is a standard ingredient list for bacon. While not good, it contains sodium phosphate, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrate as preservatives.

The marinade consists of water, sriracha sauce, and teriyaki sauce. The teriyaki sauce ingredient list is fairly healthy. This sriracha sauce ingredient list is interesting. Too bad it uses potassium sorbate and sodium bisulfite as preservatives.

Super healthy vegetables garlic and ginger are used. Healthy spices such as cayenne powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and onion powder are used.

The sugar level is high at 6 grams of sugar used per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less. This salt level is very high at 640mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. In fairness, bacon as a general rule is very high in salt.

Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.

Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating

Taste Review

These for the most part are regular sized strips of bacon. There is a fair amount of fat visible. The texture is just barely crispy, and handling this jerky leaves an oily residue on your fingers.

The first taste detected is a sweetness. Then the sriracha sauce starts to take notice. It is just a mild spiciness, but it sure is tasty. As you eat more bacon strips, the sweetness remains at a consistent level, where you would not want it to be any sweeter tasting.

There is a mild soy taste. Perhaps, best of all, the garlic taste is noticeable, and a wonderful addition to the overall taste. To a lesser extent the ginger is noticeable also. Throughout, the natural bacon flavor is first and foremost. This bacon jerky is truly a treat to eat.

This 2 ounce/56 gram bag of jerky sells online for $8.00. That works out to $4.00 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. As a general rule, bacon jerky is more expensive than beef jerky. For the time being, free shipping is offered. You could consider this bacon jerky to be a guilty pleasure. Everybody should experience this bacon jerky at least once, where it is that delicious, and unique tasting.

Excellent (10/10) – 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 a dark background.

Facts printed on this bags are “Old Fashion Recipe”, “No Added MSG”, “No Added Preservatives”, “Made in U.S.A.”, “Old Fashion”, and “Natural Smoke Flavoring Added”.

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.

Decent (7/10) – Bag Rating

Order their jerky online: www.tenderheifersnackco.com