This review will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of the Duck Dynasty jerky brand name for their original beef jerky. The bag was purchased back in December 2013, at a ShopRite store for $7.99 in Greenwich, New Jersey.
The very large, successful private labeler Monogram Foods LLC. manufactures and distributes this jerky. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee, although they have other locations in the USA also. During my limited travels in the United States, it is quite remarkable the reach that Monogram Foods LLC. has in the jerky market. They may even rival Jack Link’s in North American bagged jerky sales.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Brown Sugar, Salt. Contains 2% or less of Flavorings, Vinegar, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Citric Acid, Sodium Nitrite. 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.
The liquid marinade is comprised of just water and healthy vinegar.
The sugar level is on the higher side, having 7 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. We would rather not see the sugar level exceed 3 grams. The sodium level is especially high at 600mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg grams of salt or less.
This jerky does use unhealthy sodium nitrite as the main preservative, apart from salt. To a lesser degree, citric acid and vinegar acts as preservatives. The quality of how citric acid is manufactured can vary widely.
This jerky does not qualify to be MSG free. The highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used. Hydrolyzed soy protein is also a form of unhealthy trans fats.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These jerky strips are small and medium in size. The thickness is medium. There is a fairly dry, good texture. There are some signs of fat are visible that add to the overall taste, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
Worth noting, this bag is advertised to contain 3 ounces/85 grams of jerky. The actual jerky weight in the bag is only 76 grams. It is far more common to see bags of jerky with an extra two grams or so. With this bag you are shortchanged 9 grams, more than 10% of the total jerky weight.
The first taste detected is a slightly processed beef taste. There is a fairly strong salty taste that really defines this flavor. The soy taste is mild, and this flavor is moderately sweet. While not bad tasting, there is nothing special with this original flavor.
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky was purchased for $7.99. That works out to $2.67 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. Given that some unhealthy ingredients are used, this jerky is not worth your money. Not to mention the jerky being underweight a full 9 grams.
Bag Review
This is a professional looking bag, with everything imprinted directly on the bag, both the front and back. There are no labels affixed on this bag. The front of the bag has a high resolution picture of the Duck Dynasty cast.
There is a blurb printed about this beef jerky on the back. Slogans printed are “Hey, High in Protein”, “Low in Fat, Jack!”, “Happy Happy Happy”, and “Official Duck Dynasty Jerky”.
All important bag categories are covered here. Some minor exceptions are that the jerky weight is not printed in grams, and there is no phone number provided for customer inquiries.
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