The next review for Smoky Mountain Trail Grub will be on a 1.75 ounce/49 gram bag of their teriyaki flavored snapping turtle jerky. Their jerky is described as from an old fashioned smoky mountain smoke house in the valley of smoky’s. This bag was kindly 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 Lawrence 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. Earlier this year, a new exotic jerky line was introduced, which includes alligator, alpaca, buffalo, elk, kangaroo, python, elk, venison, and wild boar.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Snapping Turtle, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Wine, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Onion Powder, Spices, Succinic Acid, Garlic Powder), Water, Brown Sugar, Lemon Juice, Granulated Garlic, Sodium Nitrite. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The snapping turtles are farm raised. Turtle meat is considered to be a good type of protein. Also, a good source of vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. As it’s hard to prove the health benefits of turtle, the highest ingredient rating awarded can be Very Good (9/10).
The liquid marinade is comprised of a good teriyaki sauce, water, and lemon juice. Lemons offer many health benefits, and is a natural meat tenderizer.
Some healthy ingredients used are granulated garlic and spices, which would include black pepper.
There is no nutrition facts table provided. As a result, the exact sugar and salt levels are unknown.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite used as a preservative. In fairness, only the Smoky Mountain Trail Grub exotic jerky lines use sodium nitrite, where sales are more unpredictable. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of jerky vary from medium to small in size, and are sliced to a medium thickness. This texture qualifies as
The first flavor detected is a fairly strong tasting teriyaki sauce, with a mild level of soy. Mild levels of black pepper and salt blend in nicely, as does a light level of garlic.
There is a moderate amount of sweetness present, perhaps too much. The snapping turtle itself has a unique, subtle tasting flavor. The taste of snapping turtle is comparable to beef, but with a slightly gamey taste. Overall, this jerky delivers on the teriyaki and snapping turtle flavors.
A 1.75 ounce/49 gram bag sells online for $13.99. That works out to $7.99 an ounce, which rates as a cheap price, at least for snapping turtle jerky. This jerky reaches the trifecta on being recommended on taste, ingredient, and price.
Very Good (9/10) – 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 snapping turtle in the front. This bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
The slogan on this bag is “The Hunter”. 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.”.
Some bag categories are missing here, such as the jerky weight not stated in grams, no web site provided, no nutrition facts table, and no blurb printed about the jerky or flavor. Admirably, an email address is provided for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.jerkysnackshack.net
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