• HOME
  • TAGS
  • COUNTERS
  • INGREDIENTS
  • HOMEMADE ↓
    • Jerky Making
    • Pet Jerky
    • Starting a Jerky Business
  • SUBMIT
  • ABOUT ↓
    • Jerky →
      • Jerky Criteria
      • Jerky Glossary
      • Jerky Prices
      • Jerky Videos
    • Jerky Shrine Home →
      • Jerky Shrine Brands
      • Jerky Shrine Displays
      • Jerky Shrine Items
      • Jerky Shrine Binders
    • Jerky Price Updates →
      • 2022
      • 2022 Beef
      • 2022 Biltong
      • 2022 Turkey
      • 2022 One Pound
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2020 One Pound
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Donate
  • Instagram
  • FB
  • Twitter Page

Jerky Ingredients

Jerky Reviews

  • HOME
  • BRANDS
  • TYPES
  • FLAVORS ↓
    • FLAVOR TAGS
    • FLAVOR NAMES
  • RATINGS ↓
    • Ingredient Reviews →
      • 10/10 (Excellent)
      • 9/10 (Very Good)
      • 8/10 (Good)
      • 7/10 (Decent)
      • 6/10 (Alright)
      • 5/10 (Average)
      • 4/10 (Fair)
      • 3/10 (Bad)
      • 2/10 (Very Bad)
      • 1/10 (Terrible)
    • Taste Reviews →
      • 10/10 (Excellent)
      • 9/10 (Very Good)
      • 8/10 (Good Taste)
      • 7/10 (Decent)
      • 6/10 (Alright)
      • 5/10 (Average)
      • 4/10 (Fair)
      • 3/10 (Bad)
      • 2/10 (Very Bad)
      • 1/10 (Terrible)
    • Bag Reviews →
      • 10/10 (Excellent)
      • 9/10 (Very Good)
      • 8/10 (Good)
      • 7/10 (Decent)
      • 6/10 (Alright)
      • 5/10 (Average)
      • 4/10 (Fair)
      • 3/10 (Bad)
      • 2/10 (Very Bad)
      • 1/10 (Terrible)
  • NEWS

Smoky Mountain Trail Grub – Natural Beef Jerky

Thursday, January 19, 2017 1 Comment

Smoky Mountain Trail Grub - Natural Beef JerkyThe next review for Smoky Mountain Trail Grub will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their natural flavored beef jerky. Their jerky is described as from an old fashioned smoky mountain smoke house in the valley of smoky’s. This bag was graciously submitted for review by the owner, Lawrence Wittmer.

This Smoky Mountain Trail Grub brand is distributed by Jerky Snack Shack. After retiring in 2008, Lawrence moved to Florida and noticed that there were no jerky makers at a local flea market. His jerky caught on, and in 2013 he moved to Northern Georgia. By 2015, the Smoky Mountain Trail Grub was launched in Helen, Georgia. It is only a few miles away from the Appalachian Trail, where their jerky is a big hit for the hikers.

Ingredient Review

Ingredients: Top Round Beef, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce {Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt}, Water, Vinegar, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Ginger Powder), Brown Sugar, Pineapple Juice, Hickory Liquid Smoke, Black Pepper, Vinegar, Garlic Powder, White Pepper.    Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat

Smoky Mountain Trail Grub - Natural Beef JerkyThe beef used is guaranteed to be ethically raised, meaning free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, as a big plus, the cattle have a considerable amount of free range access to graze on grass, and roam about.

Smoky Mountain Trail Grub - Natural Beef JerkyThe liquid marinade is comprised of a decent soy sauce, a decent teriyaki sauce, natural hickory liquid smoke, a good pineapple juice, and healthy vinegar. Pineapples have an enzyme named bromelain, which acts as a natural meat tenderizer.

There are healthy spices added such as garlic powder, black pepper, and white pepper, which is a bit hotter tasting compared to black pepper.

The sugar level is high at 6 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is somewhat high at 410mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.

This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is salt, and to a lesser degree vinegar. Admirably, there is also no MSG added.

Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating

Taste Review

These strips are a mixture of medium and small in size. The jerky strips are sliced to a medium thickness, almost borderline thin. The texture is not overly dry, and reasonably easy to chew. There are a little bit of visible signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.

The first flavor detected is a moderately strong level of soy. Each bite has a mild to moderate level of salt, which is within reason. A light level of garlic is always welcome.

A moderate level of sugar is present, which may be a bit too sweet tasting. For an original based flavor, there is some natural beef flavor, but the sweetness/soy/saltiness compete with the natural flavor of the beef. Overall, a bold flavor profile, which is closer to a teriyaki flavor.

A 3 ounce/85 gram bag sells online for $7.99. That works out to $2.66 an ounce, which rates as a somewhat expensive price. This jerky is quite flavorful, and recommended if you enjoy a sweet and salty flavor.

Good (8/10) – 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 depicts a picture of a wooden shack with a “Smoke House” sign, and a mountain landscape in the background.

The slogan is “Mountain Man”. Some facts displayed on the bag are “No Nitrates”, “No MSG Added”, “High Protein”, “Low Fat”, “Old Fashion Recipe”, and “Made in the U.S.A.”.

The majority of bag categories are covered here. Missing categories are a best before date, the jerky weight not stated in grams, no web site provided, and no blurb printed about the jerky or flavor. There is a batch number printed that could translate to a best before date. Admirably, an email address is provided for customer inquiries.

Decent (7/10) – Bag Rating

Order their jerky online: www.jerkysnackshack.net

Smoky Mountain Trail Grub – Natural Beef Jerky was last modified: December 31/2017 by Jerky Ingredients

Smoky Mountain Trail Grub

Filed Under:  Beef, Mammal
Ingredient Rating:  Good (8/10)
Bag Design Rating:  Decent (7/10)
Allergen Alerts:  Soy, Wheat
Health:  Ethical, No MSG, No Sodium Nitrite
Sugar & Salt:  None
Meat:  Smoked
Other:  3 oz/57-86 grams
Flavor:  Original
Brand:  Smoky Mountain Trail Grub, Georgia, USA  A jerky brand from USA
Distributor:  Jerky Snack Shack, Georgia, USA  A jerky distributor from the USA
Private Labeler:  None
Purchase:  2016, Expensive Price, Submitted

Comments

  1. Don Weston says

    September 15, 2020 at 5:12 PM

    How do I order the sriracha bacon jerky?

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Jerky Brands
Jerky Tags / Categories
Jerky Counters
Jerky Types
Jerky Flavors
Jerky Flavor Names
Jerky Ingredients
Jerky Shrine Brands
Jerky Shrine Displays
Jerky News
Jerky Prices
Jerky Price Updates
Jerky Criteria
Jerky Glossary
Making Jerky
Starting a Jerky Business
Submit Jerky
Contact Us
About Us

Comments

  • Tammy Wilmot on Simms – Original Beef Biltong: “Good day, I to am South African, and only recently discovered this biltong. Until now I have been making my…” Dec 7, 11:01
  • Mr. P's Fan! on Mr. P’s Beef Jerky – Hot Flavor Beef Jerky: “The best beef Jerky I have had since the 70’s. Everyone now makes all these chunky thick moist stuff that…” Oct 20, 18:14
  • Jerky Ingredients on Dickson’s Farmstand Meats – Campfire Beef Jerky: “Thanks for the kind comment. I forwarded your comment to Dickson Farmstand Meats.” Aug 28, 16:16
  • Brian on Dickson’s Farmstand Meats – Campfire Beef Jerky: “I ordered a variety of this jerky upon reading this review. I’m not sure if I received a bad batch…” Aug 27, 18:36
  • Cameron on Electric Jerky – Sriracha Vegan Jerky: “First I’m not a vegan. Was gifted a bag from a vegan friend that thought I would be in need…” Aug 19, 20:54

Archives

  • 2023: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2022: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2021: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2020: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2019: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2018: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2017: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2016: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2015: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2014: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • 2013: J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • Jerky Sites

    Best Beef Jerky
    Jerky UP!

    Return to Top · Site Map · Powered by Jerky Ingredients  Jerky Ingredients Instagram FeedJerky Ingredients Twitter Feed Jerky Ingredients Facebook Feed