Cheyenne Brand – Teriyaki Beef Jerky (Review #1)

Note: For a live taste review on an updated ingredient list, open up Cheyenne Brand – Teriyaki Beef Jerky (Review #2) written by Stéphane Leclerc.

The first review for Cheyenne Brand will focus on a 2.75 ounce/78 gram bag of their teriyaki beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a gas bar convenience store in Kearney, New Jersey back in 2011.

This Cheyenne Brand of jerky is distributed by Monogram Meat Snacks, LLC., and they are located in Memphis, Tennessee. Monogram Foods was recognized as the national meat processing industry’s 2017 Processor of the Year. In 2017, Monogram Foods had planned on investing almost $70 million in upgrading current processing equipment, installing new processing equipment, and training their local team members on that equipment. Monogram Food Solutions is fully committed to be the market leaders in environmental sustainability, community involvement, and ethical products marketing. Since early 2005, revenues have grown from $8 million annually to more than $500 million in 2015. Monogram Foods employs more than 2600 team members in permanent positions that include benefits.

Ingredient Review

Ingredients: Beef, Water, Sugar. Contains 2% or Less of Fructose, Salt, Dried Soy Sauce (Soybeans, Salt), Maltodextrin, Flavorings, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Sodium Erythorbate, Paprika Extract, Sodium Nitrite.    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 consists of just plain old water. The gluten-free soy sauce used here is in powder form.

The only healthy ingredient stated is a small amount of paprika extract, whose purpose is likely as a red food coloring agent. The vague term flavorings is used, which could include healthy and/or unhealthy ingredients.

For a sweet based flavor as we have here with teriyaki, the sugar level is acceptable at 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is quite high at 550mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or under per 28 grams of jerky.

It is disappointing to see that sodium nitrite and sodium erythorbate are used as preservatives.

This jerky does not qualify to be MSG free because the highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed corn protein is used.

Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating

Taste Review

Note: For a live taste review on an updated ingredient list, open up Cheyenne Brand – Teriyaki Beef Jerky (Review #2) written by Stéphane Leclerc.

My vague taste notes from 2011 indicated that this was an average tasting jerky flavor. The texture was more on the soft and tender side. More than anything, I do remember being disappointed with this flavor, which was nothing special.

This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky cost $4.99. That equates to $1.66 an ounce, which rated as a cheap price back in 2011.

Average (5/10) – Taste Rating

Bag Review

Everything is imprinted directly on the plastic bag, both on the front and back. The Cheyenne Brand logo states that this jerky is “Made in Minnesota”.

There is no slogan printed on this bag. The only fact printed on this bag is “Premium Cut”.

The only bag category missing is a blurb printed about Cheyenne Brand and this teriyaki flavor. To the credit of Monogram Food Solutions, LLC., there is a toll free phone number provided for customer inquiries.

Very Good (9/10) – Bag Rating