Note: For a more current taste review on a tweaked ingredient list, open up Smokehouse Jerky Co. – Sea Salt Honey & Pepper Beef Brisket Jerky (Recipe #2).
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3 ounce/84 gram bag of their sea salt honey & pepper flavored beef jerky. This jerky was graciously submitted for review by the owner, Trent Levinson, from Tender Heifer Snack Co.
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. All of their beef jerky is made using the brisket cut of beef. Many people believe that brisket is the best cut of beef to absorb a marinade. All of 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: Beef, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Wine, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Spices, Onion Powder, Succinic Acid, Garlic Powder), Brown Sugar, Honey, Pineapple Juice, Worcestershire Sauce (Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce Base (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor, Sulfiting Agent), Salt, Citric Acid), Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, Lemon Juice, Cracked Black Pepper, Ginger Powder. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
This brisket cut of beef used is from cattle raised in California. 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 consists of teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pineapple juice, honey, and lemon juice. It is disappointing to see that the teriyaki sauce and Worcestershire sauce both use the highly processed sweetener high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Cracked black pepper is used, where some people call black pepper the king of spices. Healthy dried vegetables such as garlic powder, onion powder, and ginger powder are used.
The sugar level is quite high at 9 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 5 grams of sugar or under for a sweet based flavor. The salt level is high at 490mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. However, much of that is negated because minimally processed sea salt is used.
As advertised, there are no unhealthy preservatives used, where this jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips are mostly medium and narrow in size. They are sliced to a medium thickness. There is a great dry texture, where the brisket cut of beef is easy to chew. There are no visible signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
A mild soy taste is detected first, along with a light pineapple flavor. There is a fair amount of sweetness to this flavor, both from the honey, and more so the sugar. It is a bit too sweet tasting actually. With the strong sweetness, there is not much natural beef flavor.
The sea salt taste is only at a mild level. Same with the peppered level being mild tasting, but the cracked pepper itself is strong tasting. There is also a faint garlic taste. More than anything, this resembles a teriyaki based flavor. Overall, a decent tasting flavor with a great texture from the brisket cut of beef.
This 3 ounce/84 gram bag of jerky sells online for $8.00. That works out to $2.67 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. This jerky is recommended for people who enjoy mild levels of sea salt, honey, and pepper.
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.
Some facts printed on this bags are “Old Fashion Recipe”, “No Added MSG”, “No Added Preservatives”, “Made in U.S.A.”, “Old Fashion”, and “Brisket”.
All bag categories are covered but one. There is no blurb printed about Smokehouse Jerky Co. or Tender Heifer Snack Co.
Order their jerky online: www.tenderheifersnackco.com
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