The first review for Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky will be on a 2 ounce/56 gram bag of their spicy sweet flavored 100% grass-fed beef jerky. This flavor is described as using crushed red pepper, and teriyaki with a thick cut. The bag was kindly submitted for review by the owner and CFO Brooke Luckey, who is married to the founder Tony Pearl.
This Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky brand is distributed under the name of Tahoe Tony’s, and located in Minden, Nevada. Tony loves to cook, and considers himself a food porn star. After being semi-retired for several years, he decided to start making jerky as a hobby. His jerky caught on with friends and family, and two years later, the Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky brand name was launched in 2012. For a more detailed biography, check out Tony’s About page, and his interesting experience as a firefighter. With a different twist, you can also watch the jerky being prepared live on their gallery page.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Crushed Pineapple (Pineapple, Pineapple Juice), Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Wine, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Spices, Onion Powder, Succinic Acid, Garlic Powder, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)), Pineapple Juice (Water, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Ascorbic Acid), Hot Sauce (Aged Cayenne Red Peppers, Vinegar, Water, Salt, Garlic Powder), Marinade (Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Mirin Flavor (Water, Dextrose, Mirin (Rice, Alcohol, Enzymes, Salt), Lactic Acid, Succinic Acid), Water, Dehydrated Garlic, Spices, Modified Corn Syrup, Sunflower Oil), Brown Sugar, Crushed Red Pepper, Seasonings (Sea Salt, Spices (Ancho Chile, Chipotle Pepper Flakes, Cayenne Pepper, Roasted Chili Pepper, Black Pepper, Oregano), Garlic, Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Citric Acid (Preservative), Natural Flavors, Paprika Extract), Pepper Blend (Black Pepper, Red Pepper, Sunflower Oil), Citric Acid (Preservative), sprayed with Potassium Sorbate to retard mold growth, Soy Lechtin. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
This dry aged beef is sourced from the highly respected company Bently Ranch. Cattle have complete free range access to graze on grass, and roam about. They are ethically raised, being 100% certified hormone free beef. Being in a natural habitat, the cattle are 100% grass-fed.
The liquid marinade is comprised of an average teriyaki sauce, healthy pineapple juice, the Japanese cooking wine mirin, a decent soy sauce, and a very good hot sauce. It is disappointing to see that the teriyaki sauce and marinade use the highly processed sweetener high fructose corn syrup.
There are multiple healthy spices used. It is always great to see that onion and garlic are used.
The heat in this flavor is achieved by using ancho chili, chipotle pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and roasted chili peppers. Hot peppers are healthy if eaten in moderation, which flush toxins out of the body.
The sugar level is quite respectable at 2 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky, especially for a sweet based flavor. The salt level is reasonable at 340mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
While potassium sorbate is a listed ingredient, it is only there because the USDA requires to spray the jerky, as per their rules and regulations. As a result, this jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite added, or any other similar preservatives. Instead, citric acid is the primary preservative used. Admirably, this flavor does qualify to have no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These jerky strips are medium in size, and are sliced thick. The texture barely qualifies to have a soft and tender texture, which results in jerky strips that are easy to chew. There are visible signs of fat, which add to the overall natural beef flavor. Handling this jerky does leaves some oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is a mild blend of soy and pineapple. It does not take long to notice the hot based spices, which are at a mild level. The spiciness increases as you consume more strips. It levels off at about a 2 out of 5 on a heat scale. As for the sweetness, thankfully it is at a light level.
As advertised, this flavor does resemble a teriyaki flavor. While at a light level, the cooking wine mirin compliments the flavor. Also at light levels are garlic, black pepper, and the saltiness is at a mild level. More than anything, the natural beef flavor is the most dominant taste. Overall, an enjoyable snack, with mild levels of sweetness and spiciness.
This 2 ounce/56 gram bag sells for $5.00. That works out to $2.50 an ounce, which rates as a slightly expensive price. In terms of 100% grass-fed beef, it is more of an average to cheap price. This flavor is recommended as worth your money from both taste and ingredients perspectives.
Bag Review
This is no doubt an interesting bag design. The bag has everything imprinted directly on the bag itself, including the front and back, with no labels affixed. The logo is interesting, which is a drawing of Tony.
Surprisingly, the slogan “May the jerk be with you” is not printed on the bag. Some facts printed on this bag are “Made With Bently Ranch Meats”, “Product of USA”, and “13g of Protein per Serving”.
All bag categories are covered here except there is no best before date printed. A batch number is printed, which could translate to a best before date. There are great blurbs printed about this flavor, and Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky. A satisfaction guaranteed policy is offered. To the credit of Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky, a toll free number is provided for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.tahoetonys.com
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