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 continually tinkering with their jerky lines. Smokehouse Jerky Co. has since increased its 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 were introduced last year: dill pickle beef jerky and lemon pepper beef jerky. Tender Heifer Snack Co. is 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 it is based out of Beaumont, California.
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their lemon pepper flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as a popular spice for cooking, and it makes jerky taste great! The jerky was kindly submitted for review by co-owner Patti Fonseca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled White Vinegar, Molasses, Sugar, Water, Salt, Onions, Anchovies, Garlic, Cloves, Tamarind Extract, Natural Flavorings, Chili Pepper Extract), Honey, Brown Sugar, Lemon Juice, Garlic Puree (Garlic, Citric Acid), Lemon Pepper Spice Mix (Onion, Spices (Black Pepper, Basil, Oregano, Celery Seed, Bay, Savory, Thyme, Cayenne Pepper, Coriander, Cumin, Mustard, Rosemary, Marjoram), Garlic, Lemon Juice Powder, Carrot, Citric Acid, Lemon Peel, Turmeric Color, Chili Pepper), Liquid Hickory Smoke, Ground Pepper, Ginger. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Anchovies
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 a good gluten-free tamari sauce, healthy honey, and a well-respected brand of Worcestershire sauce.
There are many healthy ingredients added such as garlic puree, garlic, onion, spices, black pepper, basil, lemon juice powder, oregano, celery seed, bay, savory, thyme, cayenne pepper, coriander, cumin, mustard, rosemary, marjoram, lemon peel, turmeric, chili pepper, and ginger.
The sugar level is acceptable at 2 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is low at 170mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
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. – LEMON PEPPER BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I smell natural beef, soy, and juice, maybe lemon juice. The pieces are medium to large, and they are sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is soft and dry (and chewy), and it leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
As I bite into the jerky, I encounter salt, pepper, little to no sweet (awesome), natural beef, and the lemon is coming through in spades, and what a treat. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same thing about pepper. To properly get the appropriate amount of pepper per bite, I have to reach down into the bottom of the bag to retrieve the pepper flakes that have fallen off the jerky strips. All the same, d*mn, this flavor of jerky is ‘da bomb’, it tastes like ‘more’.
Smokehouse Jerky Co. has come through many times before, and this flavor is no different. Beef brisket is undoubtedly a cut above as far as cuts of meat go. This jerky is addictive. If cows were aware of their demise, they’d all line up at Smokehouse Jerky Co., to be best remembered. Gentlemen, this jerky is a true reminder of how good jerky can taste, and therefore a 10/10 is the only logical conclusion. Two thumbs way up!!!👍👍
Here is what Mark had to say about this Lemon Pepper beef jerky flavor from Smokehouse Jerky Co.: “Thanks Paul for the enthusiastic taste review. Not sure what else I can add here. The lemon pepper flavor comes across in spades, and is downright delicious. Brisket arguably absorbs a marinade better of any cut of beef.”
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.
Excellent (10/10) – 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 lemon pepper flavor, and a soy and anchovy allergen alert.
Order their jerky online: www.smokehousejerkyco.com
Leave a Comment