Vic Guido teamed up with Richard Cresswell in 2014 to create Red Truck Beef Jerky – a small, family-owned business that sustainably sources premium cuts of whole-muscle beef shoulder, right here in the USA. The result is the most tender and lean jerky on the market. For the past five years, they’ve focused almost exclusively on making their products accessible in physical stores. Today you can find them in Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kroger’s, Giant, GetGo, Ace Hardware, and many more spots. 10% of their online proceeds to Wounded Warrior Project.
In 2020, they were starting on their direct-to-consumer, online journey but were myopically focused on their customer’s experience. They’re coming to you directly so that they can serve you and engage with you more meaningfully. From engaging with them on social platforms to devouring their delicious products, your success is their success.
For more than 75 years, OLD BAY® has ruled kitchens as “the Definitive Seafood Seasoning,” with its world-famous blend of 18 herbs and spices. This Red Truck Beef Jerky brand name is distributed under the same name as Red Truck Beef Jerky, and it is located in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The next review for Red Truck Beef Jerky will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their Old Bay beef jerky. This flavor is described as two things you need to know about OLD BAY® Seasoning: 1. It’s great on seafood. 2. It’s great on everything else! The jerky was kindly submitted for review by CRO Tyler.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Water, Seasonings (Spices, Celery Powder, Paprika), Salt, Contains 2% or less of Flavorings, Vinegar, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Erythorbate, Citric Acid, Paprika Oleoresin, Sodium Nitrite. Allergen Warnings: Soy
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. The beef is also 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.
There are some healthy ingredients added, such as spices, paprika, and paprika oleoresin. The vague term flavorings are listed, which may contain healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
The sugar level 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 high at 580 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 added as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative along with sodium erythorbate and citric acid to a lesser extent to lose a rating. This jerky does qualify to have no MSG added as the cheap, highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
RED TRUCK BEEF JERKY – OLD BAY BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell soy and juice, likely pineapple juice. The strips are sliced thin to medium in thickness, and they are sliced small to medium in size. The jerky is somewhat soft and reasonably dry, and there is no oily residue.
When I bite into the jerky I taste a delicious amount of salt, along with another delicious amount of pepper. Garlic is coming through at a lesser degree, along with a flavor that is escaping me. Maybe the closest comparison I can make is a bit of that “buttered popcorn” flavor, not exactly, but somewhat similar.
This jerky happens to be rather tasty, a cut above, being basically an original flavor. I am enjoying these morsels, it is becoming a bit addictive. Since I can find no complaints, I suppose a 10/10 is justifiable, but my tastebuds are more aligned with a 9/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Old Bay beef jerky flavor from Red Truck Beef Jerky: “Thanks Paul for the comprehesive taste review. For the most part, I agree with your taste review. In having a discussion with Paul, I learned that he was unfamiliar with Old Bay seasoning. I have tried Old Bay seasoning on occasion, and that familiar taste comes through fairly well with this beef jerky. My main issue is that the beef comes across as slightly processed tasting . True in that this jerky is salty tasting. With myself at a 7 taste rating and Paul at a 9, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
Red Truck Beef Jerky sells online two bags of 3 ounce/85 gram beef jerky for $17.35. That equates to $2.89 an ounce, which rates at the upper threshold of an average price.
Bag Review
This professional looking plastic bag has everything imprinted directly to the bag, both on the front and back. The Red Truck Beef Jerky logo is a Red Truck. There are two high resolution pictures of OLD BAY® seasoning on the front and back.
Some slogans printed on this bag are “America’s Favorite Seafood Seasoning” and “Enjoy it Anywhere”. Some facts printed are “Made in the USA”, “Sliced Beef”, “No MSG added”, and “Red Truck Beef Jerky is a Good Source of Protein”.
The only missing bag category is a transparent window to view the jerky. There is a good blurb printed on the back about OLD BAY seasoning.
There is a batch number printed that could translate to a best before date. To the credit of Red Truck Beef Jerky, a phone number is displayed for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.redtruckbeefjerky.com
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