Oberto may still be the second largest national meat snack company that sells well over 100 different dried meat products. Oberto is a family-owned company formed over 100 years ago in 1918 by Constantino Oberto. In 1967, Safeway became the first national grocery store to carry Oberto jerky. In 1994, they launched turkey jerky. When we first reviewed Oberto about ten years ago, the brand name was Oh Boy! Oberto.
In 2000, Oberto aligned with the significant global snack manufacturer Frito-Lay to expand their distribution network, including Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Norway. In 2009, after slow sales, Oberto Brands ended the distribution deal with Frito-Lay and began distributing its products. Over the years, Oberto has expanded its product line to include other meat snacks like turkey jerky, pork jerky, and meat sticks. This has allowed them to cater to a broader audience and offer a diverse range of choices for jerky enthusiasts.
Overall, a very impressive success story, where the Oberto family took their fair share of risks to get where they are today. Oberto announced in April 2018 that it was being sold to Premium Brand Holdings. Oberto is distributed under the name of 2019 Oberto Snacks Inc., and they are located in Kent, Washington.
The next review on Oberto will focus on a 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag of their original flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as being low in carbohydrates, high in protein, gluten free, free of preservatives, and made with all natural ingredients. The bag was purchased at a Hudson store at Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey.
Ingredient Review
Beef, Brown Sugar, Water, Salt, Beef Stock, Vinegar, Yeast Extract, Cultured Celery Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Sugar, Spice, Sea Salt, Canola Oil, Natural Smoke Flavoring.
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, healthy beef stock, and super unhealthy canola oil.
Some healthy ingredients added are spices, onion powder, and garlic powder.
The sugar level is on the high side at 6 grams of sugar per 28 grams of sugar to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky for an original flavor. The salt level is very high at 600mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Typically, the salt level is ignored when sea salt is used, but curiously both sea salt and salt are listed ingredients, and salt is by far and away the most used based on weight.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt, sea salt, and to a lesser degree, vinegar act as the main preservatives. Admirably, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
OBERTO – ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY (RECIPE #2)
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell next to nothing. The pieces vary in both size and thickness. The jerky is dry and soft, and it is easy to chew.
When I bite into the jerky I immediately taste salt and sweet, both to prominent degrees without being too intense. I also taste pepper, also at a decent level, as well as garlic to a lesser degree.
Having said all this, this jerky is lacking in any “Wow!!” factor. It is rather pedestrian, as I’ve had much tastier original jerky in the past.
Nothing is jumping out at me, so I will rate this jerky as a 7/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Oberto Original Beef Jerky tastes like what is expected from a Dollar Store jerky. The taste does not stand out, and it is quite sweet, where it leaves an after-taste in the mouth. The texture of the jerky is fine, and the aroma is forgettable.
I wasn’t impressed with the Oberto Original Beef Jerky in any way, and I’d rate it 8/10 at most.
Here is what Mark had to say about this original beef jerky flavor from Oberto: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the taste reviews. Both of you in my opinion, are being too lenient here. The beef has an awful, processed taste. Not the worst that we have ever reviewed before, but no doubt bad tasting. As for an Original flavor, the sweetness is too high, totally unneeded, and in my opinion, unwanted. Add in a high level of saltiness, and this flavor comes down to bad tasting beef, too sweet, and too salty.”
“There is more to the overall taste profile. Yes, there are light levels of black pepper and garlic powder. Add in a lightly smoked flavor, which rounds off the flavor in a better light. By no means is there a ‘wow’ factor whatsoever with this original flavor. This jerky is more for sustenance than something pleasurable to eat. With Paul and Stéphane at 7 ratings and myself at a 5 rating at best, an Alright (6/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag sold for $7.69, which works out to $2.36 an ounce. That rates as a cheap price.
Bag Review
This resealable professional-looking plastic bag has everything imprinted onto the bag itself, both on the front and back. On the back, there is an old black and white photograph displayed of the founder, Constantino Oberto.
There are no clearly defined slogans on this bag. Some facts printed on this bag are “Premium Steak With Natural Smoke Flavor Added”, “No Artificial Ingredients”, “Gluten Free”, “No MSG”, “Specialty Meats”, “Est. Seattle, WA”, “Since 1918”, “12g Protein”, “Real Wood Smoked”, “Wood Smoked”, and “Quality-Flavor-Heritage”.
All bag categories are covered here. Commendably, a toll-free phone number is provided for customer inquiries. There is a good but short blurb printed on the back of the bag describing the founder, Constantino Oberto, and Oberto’s goals.
I love Oberto’s Original Jerky. It tastes like beef. It’s not been made into a delivery system for added flavors like so many other brands. Oberto’s has the texture I like. It’s sliced thin and I like the moisture content. I like it the best over other brands and I haven’t been able to find it in stores so, I’ve taken to buying it off the internet.