The Smokehouse Jerky Co. brand name was launched in 2008. Since taking over Tender Heifer Snack Co. in 2017, Franco and his wife Patti Fonseca have since been constantly tinkering with their jerky lines. Smokehouse Jerky Co. has since increased their sales by a million dollars per year, and expects even further growth in 2020. Smokehouse Jerky Co. currently sells 18 flavors of beef jerky, and 5 flavors of bacon jerky.
Two new flavors have been introduced: dill pickle beef jerky and lemon pepper beef jerky. Tender Heifer Snack Co. are always looking for new distributors across the United States, and they offer private label services. Most notably Smokehouse Jerky Co. does private labeling for Knott’s Berry Farm. This Smokehouse Jerky Co. brand name is 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/85 gram bag of their dill pickle flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as the Dill tastes so good you just need a hamburger bun and bag of chips! The jerky was kindly submitted for review by co-owner, Patti Fonseca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Salt, Brown Sugar, Vinegar Powder, Gluten Free Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Sea Salt, Honey, Dill Powder, Granulated Garlic, Granulated Onion, Mustard Powder, Celery Juice Powder, Apple Cider Vinegar, Ground Pepper, Gluten Free Tamari Lite Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol [To Preserve Freshness], Lactic Acid, Rice Vinegar), Balsamic Vinegar, Citric Acid, Onion Powder, Cinnamon, Ginger, Cayenne. Allergen Warnings: Soy
This brisket cut of beef used is from cattle raised in California. 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 water, a good gluten-free tamari sauce, water, healthy honey, super healthy apple cider vinegar, super healthy balsamic vinegar, and a good brand of gluten-free salt reduced tamari sauce.
There are many healthy ingredients added such as dill powder, granulated garlic, granulated onion, mustard powder, black pepper, onion powder, cinnamon, and ginger. Dill powder contains a significant amount of vitamin C, along with folate, calcium, riboflavin, manganese, and iron.
The sugar level is acceptable at 2 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is a little high at 360mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. However, the salt level is ignored because minimally processed sea salt is used.
There are no unhealthy preservatives used, where this jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SMOKEHOUSE JERKY CO. – DILL PICKLE BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I definitely smell dill seeds. I can actually see the dill seeds on the jerky as well. The slices of jerky are small to medium in size, and they are sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is soft and dry, and it is very easy to chew. There is no oily residue left on your fingers.
I’m on my third piece, and while I am tasting some dill, I am not tasting it to the degree that I thought I might/should, considering all the dill flakes I see on the jerky. And Smokehouse Jerky Co. has never really steered us wrong, their flavors are typically on point, as well as very tasty. And while I can’t complain about the flavor of this jerky, there is not enough dill pickle flavor I find.
Some of the flavors I encounter are salt, pepper, garlic, slight sweet (👍), some dill pickle, and natural beef.
I hope I’m not sullying this taste review also, but while I do detect dill, it is not as apparent as I would have hoped, or expected. For that reason, I am inclined to score this particular flavor as an 8 or 9/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Stéphane had to say: “I am kind of on the fence with this Dill Pickle flavor by Smokehouse Jerky Co. The dilemma is between the challenge of computing the relationship between this strange flavor and beef jerky. As well as the fact it grew on me after the initial few bites.”
“The Dill flavor is generally good and somewhat falls short in the Dill Pickle arena. Perhaps a more pronounced splash of acidity or a twist or three of good lemon juice would cut through, provide floral notes and elevate its flavor profile.”
“Regardless, I still feel Smokehouse Dill Pickle Beef Jerky deserves a 9/10 taste rating, as I am certain this jerky will still strike some chords with Dill lovers.”
Here is what Mark had to say about this Dill Pickle beef jerky flavor from Smokehouse Jerky Co. : “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the honest taste reviews. Initially, I was taken aback with this flavor. It was not what I was expecting. Rather than having a dill pickle type of flavor, this is strictly a dill flavor at a fairly strong level. Something seemed off with this flavor profile, and it is hard to put a finger on what. While there is not much sweetness, having any amount of sweetness present seems odd with dill pickle.”
“As I consumed more strips, I began to develop more of an appreciation for this dill flavor. This dill pickle flavor even started getting addictive. The flavor is not reminiscent of a dill pickle with a bun and burger, but more along the lines of a soup having a strong dill flavor.”
“This dill pickle flavor was shared between the Group of Seven. One member being a dill fanatic loved this flavor, and awarded a 10 taste rating. All others were in the 7 – 9 taste range, where I was personally between an 8 or 9 taste rating.”
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky sells online for $7.99. That works out to $2.66 an ounce, which rates as an average price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This is a black resealable plastic bag, with a label affixed on the front, and nothing on the back. The label has a fairly detailed picture of a wooden shack with a “Smokehouse” sign.
One slogan printed on this bag may be “Gourmet Brisket”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Solid Steak Strips”, Handcrafted”, and “Made in U.S.A.”.
There are two missing bag categories with a blurb printed about Smokehouse Jerky Co. or this dill pickle flavor, and a soy allergen alert.
Order their jerky online: www.smokehousejerkyco.com
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