Jeff was just a hungry teenager in the 1970s when he realized his favorite on-the-go snack had the potential to be so much better. That summer, he bought a dehydrator from the county fair, and he was fascinated with the process of how the flavors intensified by using flavorful marinades during the dehydration process. Over the years, he spent thousands of hours experimenting with recipes, intent on making beef jerky how he envisioned it could be… intensely full of flavor, soft and tender with the taste and texture of a fine steak but without the chemical preservatives.
Jeff’s relentless quest for culinary flavor perfection kept him researching different cultural influences and refining and innovating new fusion recipes for more than three decades before he ever offered his jerky for sale to the public in 2010. People worldwide were soon enjoying jerky perfection, and Jeff’s Famous legacy continues today.
Jeff lives in the pristine, four-season mountain community of Big Bear Lake, California, with his loving, vibrant wife, energetic toddler son, and two spoiled cats. He enjoys cooking and great food and quality time with family.
Jeff’s Famous Jerky brand is distributed under the name of Jeff’s Famous Foods, Inc., and they are located in Big Bear Lake, California.
The next review on Jeff’s Famous Jerky will focus on a 2.75 ounce/77.96 gram bag of their Classic Original flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as soft and tender brisket beef decadence that is 100% all-natural. The bag was graciously submitted for review by owner Jeff Richards.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef Brisket, Gluten Free Reduced Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol), Brown Sugar, Lemon Juice, Granulated Garlic, Black Pepper, Liquid Smoke Flavor (Natural Hickory Smoke Concentration). Allergen Warnings: Soy
The beef used here is guaranteed to be ethically raised 98% of the time, meaning free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. There is no 100% guarantee because sometimes the beef used cannot keep up with the demand. These cattle are not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam about. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
This liquid marinade here is comprised of a well-respected brand of gluten free reduced tamari soy sauce and healthy Lemon Juice.
There are some healthy ingredients added, such as granulated garlic and black pepper.
The sugar is high at 6 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is a little high at 390mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose another rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt is the main preservative used. Admirably, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
JEFF’S FAMOUS JERKY – CLASSIC ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell sweet and soy. The pieces are soft and moist, and some pieces are a bit stringy. The pieces are small to medium in size, and they are sliced rather thin. There is an ever so slightly oily residue left on your fingers.
The first flavors I encounter are salt, at a good level, sweet, but at a manageable level, garlic, soy, onion, and natural beef.
Honestly, with the original smell of the jerky along with the texture, I was expecting to be somewhat disappointed, but not so with this flavor. I even believe I detect a tiny bit of spice (heat) in the background.
This jerky is quite tasty. I am enjoying it very much, especially with the occasional bit of fat mixed in with the jerky, which serves to enhance the flavor.
Overall, I would be willing to go as high as a 9/10, with my only slight knock being the texture of the jerky. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this classic original beef jerky flavor from Jeff’s Famous Jerky: “Thanks for the great taste review Paul. I agree with everything that you stated except for the texture. This jerky is advertised to be soft & tender, and soft and tender it is. For myself anyway, I find this original flavor to be a tad too sweet tasting. Other than that, this jerky is addictive, delicious, and a treat to eat. Two thumbs up to the brisket cut of beef also. A Very Good (9/10) taste rating seems warranted.”
This 2.75 ounce/77.96 gram bag costs $7.49. That works out to $2.72 an ounce, which rates at an average price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This gold-colored resealable plastic bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. Some facts printed on this bag are “Gluten Free”, “All Natural”, “Minimally Processed”, “No Artificial Ingredients”, and “Natural Smoke Flavor Added”.
The only bag category missing is a blurb printed about Jeff’s Famous Jerky and this Classic Original flavor. To the credit of Jeff’s Famous Jerky, there is a toll-free phone number provided for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.jeffsfamousjerky.com
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