The Smokehouse Jerky Co. brand name was launched in 2008. On January 2/2017, Franco and his wife Patti Fonseca acquired Smokehouse Jerky Co. from Trent Levinson and his wife Barbie. Franco has since added some new flavors, and they have a new web site design. All Smokehouse Jerky Co. jerky is made in small batches. Tender Heifer Snack Co. are always looking for new distributors across the United States, and they offer private label services, most notably for Knott’s Berry Farm. This jerky is manufactured and distributed by Tender Heifer Snack Co., and they are based out of Beaumont, California.
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3 ounce/84 gram bag of their Smokey Sriracha Style flavored beef brisket jerky. This flavor is advertised with heat as its main star using lean meat seasoned with different spices, and is blended with sriracha sauce – its irresistible flavor is taken to the next level with an old fashion recipe! The jerky was graciously submitted for review by one of the owners, Patti Fonseca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Natural Sriracha Sauce (Ground Red Chili Peppers, Water, Sugar, Ground Garlic, Salt, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Garlic Powder, Cultured Dextrose [For Freshness], Vegetable Extract [Potato], Natural Flavor, Vinegar, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum), Sugar, Honey, Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt, Lemon Juice, Ground Pepper, Red Wine Vinegar, Granulated Garlic, Ginger, Cayenne Pepper, Hickory Smoke, Water, White Pepper, Paprika, Beef Stock.
This brisket cut of beef used is from cattle raised in California. Brisket is considered to be one of the best cuts of beef to use for jerky. 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 used here is comprised of a decent natural sriracha sauce, healthy honey, super healthy apple cider vinegar, healthy lemon juice, healthy beef stock, and very healthy red wine vinegar.
There are multiple healthy ingredients added such as ground pepper, granulated garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, white pepper, and paprika
The heat is achieved here from using sriracha sauce, white pepper, and cayenne pepper.
The sugar level is high at 9 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference for a hot based flavor as we have here is 4 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is a little high at 400mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. However the sodium level is ignored because minimally processed sea salt is used.
This jerky qualifies to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservative. Instead, salt is the main preservative used. With more kudos to Smokehouse Jerky Co., this jerky has no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Smokehouse Jerky Co Beef Brisket Jerky and the wonderful taste of Smokey Sriracha explode with flavor from the very first bite. A blend of flavorful vinegars brightens this flavor profile and adds fruitiness to the mix. A mild level of garlic and black pepper also enrich this wonderful flavor profile while other light flavors feel blended and less defined. The natural beef flavor is somewhat muted by other competing flavors.
Although this jerky is fairly sweet, it is still in line with a good Sriracha. The sweetness and acidity do balance the spiciness really well while a few little sprinkle of salt and a subtle smokiness adds to the decadence and refinement of this jerky.
The Smokehouse Jerky Co Smokey Sriracha Style Beef Brisket Jerky strips are narrow, elongated and sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is chewy, a bit sticky, soft and tender. Along with the great texture of a brisket beef cut, these strips are very easy to chew.
This flavor does pack a good punch of heat and some may even call it an uppercut. It probably packs a little more than the average Sriracha flavor and would probably rate around 3 out of 5 on the heat scale.
Paul was so inspired by this little gem, he wrote: “This jerky is exploding with a myriad of succulent flavors, from the salt, pepper, garlic, soy, juice and solid sriracha flavor, as well as natural beef. Even with all the other flavors, I am being introduced to a taste experience unlike any other.
“This jerky is not unlike a choir singing a cantata to entertain the masses. It is hitting every note meticulously, bringing it home with a standing ovation, and complete with a series of encores. Take a bow Smokehouse Jerky Co, you’ve brought the crowd to their feet. An uncontested 10/10”.
Lastly, the Smokehouse Jerky Co Smokey Sriracha Style Beef Brisket Jerky is certainly an addictive treat and each of us finished our portion in a flash. Any fan of Sriracha sauce such as us are bound to immediately fall in love with this awesome jerky. We were unanimous and rated this tasty gem an Excellent 10/10 taste rating.
This 3 ounce/84 gram bag of jerky sells online for 7.99. That works out to $2.67 an ounce, which rates as an average price. Commendably, free shipping is offered on all orders over $25.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has a label affixed on the front, and nothing on the back. The label has a fairly detailed picture of a wooden shack with a “Jerky Co.” sign.
Some facts printed on this bags are “Old Fashion Recipe”, “No Added MSG”, “No Added Preservatives”, “Made in U.S.A.”, “Old Fashion”, and “Brisket”.
All bag categories are covered but one. There is no blurb printed about Smokehouse Jerky Co. or Tender Heifer Snack Co.
Order their jerky online: www.smokehousejerkyco.com
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