The next review for BJO Smoky Mountain will focus on a 4 ounce/113 gram bag of their prime rib flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, at the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, where there is a Tinton Falls Beef Jerky Outlet store.
This BJO Smoky Mountain brand is distributed under the name of The Beef Jerky Outlet Franchise, Inc., who are located in Kodak, Tennessee, near the Smoky Mountains. The owners, Rick Kromer and Randy Giandonato, established this Tinton Falls BJO store in November 2016. There are currently over 100 Beef Jerky Outlet stores located across the USA, where free samples of jerky are available. The Beef Jerky Outlet opened up their first store in 2010. A wide variety of jerky is available for sale, and a 100% grass-fed beef jerky line was launched in 2017.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef , Soy Sauce (Water, Salt, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Potassium Sorbate), Water, Prime Rib Seasoning (Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sugar, Dried Beef Broth, Dried Garlic, Dried Onion, Spice, Caramel Color, Dried Worcestershire Sauce [Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Salt, Garlic Powder, Caramel Color, Sugar, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor], Maltodextrin, Natural Flavor, Less Than 2% Silicon Dioxide), Brown Sugar, Vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor, Sulfiting Agent), Garlic, Pepper. 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 water, a poor soy sauce, healthy vinegar, and an average brand of Worcestershire sauce.
Some healthy ingredients are added such as garlic and black pepper.
An ingredient rating is deducted when corn syrup appears in the ingredient list three times or more, as is the case here.
An ingredient rating is deducted when caramel color appears in the ingredient list three times or more, where caramel color is listed four times here.
The sugar level is great at less than 1 gram of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is high at 480mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky. Keep in mind that this nutrition facts table is not exactly trustworthy, as the nutrition facts table does not appear to change much or at all for each flavor.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is salt. Vinegar to a lesser degree also acts as a preservative.
This jerky does not qualify to be MSG free because the unhealthy flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used, twice actually.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
I was excited about reviewing this Prime Rib flavored beef jerky. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed and felt a bit deceived. However, I kept an open mind, used my imagination and I was still unable to pick up the Prime Rib flavor that I was so longing for. The rich distinctive sweetness and nuttiness of a Prime Rib lies in its meat, its marbling and its exhilarating texture and not so much in the seasoning. As the old saying goes: “the closer to the bone, the sweeter the meat”…“Wink Wink!”
Having said that, I really enjoyed the full flavor of this jerky. The soya is very noticeable, as well as the Worcestershire and subtleties of garlic, anchovies and black pepper. I’d compare the taste of this beef jerky as a cross between good original flavors with a nice kiss perhaps even a French one from a well-endowed salami.
Overall, this jerky has a great vinegary aroma, a pleasant texture and compelling taste. Even though, it did not remind me of a succulent Prime Rib, I still enjoyed the taste a lot and I managed to quickly see the bottom of the bag. I would rate it 9/10.
A 4 ounce/113 gram bag sells online for $10.99. That works out to $2.75 an ounce, which rates as an average price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable, clear plastic bag has a label affixed to the front, and nothing on the back. The Beef Jerky Outlet logo has bull horns above their name.
Their slogan is “Chop House Style”. Facts printed on this bag are “Made in USA”, and “For Franchise Opportunities: www.BeefJerkyOutlet.com”.
The only bag categories missing are a soy allergen alert, and no blurb is printed about the jerky or flavor.
My husband really enjoyed this product. He wants me to order him some. Is there a way to order it by mail?
Hi Bitsy, each BJO Smoky Mountain store has its own web site, where you can order their jerky online. While technically you could use any BJO Smoky Mountain web site in the USA, find the nearest Beef Jerky Outlet store to you, and search for their web site on Google. https://www.beefjerkyoutlet.com/location-finder