The Beef Jerky Outlet debuted its first store in 2010, and this East Rutherford, New Jersey BJO opened their doors in May 2017. There are over 100 Beef Jerky Outlet stores across the USA, where free jerky samples are generally available. This Beef Jerky Outlet jerky brand is distributed under the name of Beef Jerky Outlet Franchise Inc., located in Kodak, Tennessee, near the Smoky Mountains. This Beef Jerky Outlet biltong brand is believed to be manufactured by the private labeler company Marfood USA located in Taylor, Michigan.
The next review on BJO Smoky Mountain will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their Original flavored beef biltong. This bag was purchased in the East Rutherford Beef Jerky Outlet store in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Vinegar, Contains 2% or Less of: Salt, Raisin Juice Concentrate, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Garlic Powder, Coriander, Clove, and Nutmeg.
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 is comprised of healthy vinegar and healthy raisin juice concentrate.
There are some healthy ingredients used, such as black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, coriander, clove, and nutmeg.
Generally, biltong is healthier than jerky because no enzymes are destroyed in the air-drying process, where the intact enzymes help break down the beef in our bodies.
The sugar level is perfect at having no sugar per 28 grams of biltong. The salt level is high at 430mg of salt per 28 grams of biltong to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of biltong.
This biltong does qualify to have no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative and, to a lesser degree, healthy vinegar. Commendably, this biltong does qualify to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Beef Jerky Outlet – Original Beef Biltong
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I immediately smell the vinegar. I also detect some natural beef odor. The biltong is the same shape and size as most other biltong. The pieces are small to medium in size, sliced to a medium thickness, and shiny in appearance.
When I bite into the biltong I am met with a decent level of salt, pepper, minimum sweet, light garlic, and natural beef. I also detect some vinegar, and if memory serves me correctly, some coriander and mustard, or at least mustard seeds?
Overall, this biltong flavor is very similar to most other original biltong flavors, which is d*mn tasty, to say the least. There is also some fat on the biltong, which carries many delectable flavors, making this “jerky” experience the most favorable one. It is typical biltong, which is typically scrumptious. No difference here, a well-deserved 10/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
This Beef Jerky Outlet – Original Beef Biltong is rather tasty. The taste of the beef comes out well, and most flavors are well balanced. I have a couple of issues with the level of cilantro, which I find overwhelming, and the thickness of the pieces. The biltong turns into something pasty and/or muddy while chewing, and it is not particularly pleasant to me. Perhaps, I have been spoiled by Florence Meats and their great biltong, which is amazing.
I recognize that it may be due to some personal bias, and I’d wish to warn others who, like me, may have an aversion to cilantro. I also want to point out the thickness of the pieces. Since the texture is a flavor conductor, this biltong would benefit if sliced more thinly and uniformly.
Although this Beef Jerky Outlet – Original Beef Biltong is not my favorite, it does taste as biltong should, and I feel it still well deserves a 9/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Original beef biltong flavor from Beef Jerky Outlet: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the candid taste reviews. Pretty hard to complain that coriander is used where coriander is a staple spice for biltong. The classic taste of biltong is present in spades and is delicious tasting. Again, raisin juice concentrate is an interesting and effective ingredient used in this biltong and the vinegar comes across in spades.”
“My only issue is the texture, where some strips are sliced thin, while most other strips are sliced to a medium thickness. This does alter the taste. Mustard is not a listed ingredient but is used on our local Florence Meats biltong. While I have never visited South Africa before, this biltong would likely make Afrikaners proud. With Paul at a 10 rating and Stéphane and myself at a 9, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag sells in the Beef Jerky Outlet store for $12.66. That works out to $4.22 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable, clear plastic bag has everything printed imprinted on both the front and back. The Beef Jerky Outlet logo has bull horns above their name.
A slogan printed on this bag is “See It. Taste It. Share It”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Traditional”, “13g Protein”, “90 Calories”, “SnackPak”, “3 servings”, “Air-Dried Beef Slices”, “No Nitrates”, “No Gluten”, “No MSG”, “Nothing Artificial”, “100% Natural”, “Minimally Processed, No Artificial Ingredients”, “Locally Owned”, “Made In The USA”, and “Heat Rating – 0”.
All bag categories are covered albeit there is a lot on unused space.
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