Rock Ridge Jerky, created by husband and wife Chris and Kristina Hill is proud to share their journey in tasty brisket beef jerky with you. In 2017, they started their business and have featured brisket beef Jerky in their local farmer’s markets here in Southern California. Enjoying the one on one in person and hands on way of starting a business in the good old USA! Along the way, find great people and customers you LOVE to eat our jerky. Laughing and visiting with weekly jerky lovers of all kinds! There is nothing like seeing a smile or a nod of the head that says hello as we yell out, “BRISKET BEEF JERKY”. What a great way to spend a sunny California day.
Chris and Kristina have been in retail with fairs and festivals for over 30 years. The brisket cut of beef used is sourced from California and is consistent, tender, and bursting with flavor. This Rock Ridge Jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Rock Ridge Jerky, and it is located in Marina Del Ray, California. This Rock Ridge Jerky brand is manufactured by the private label company Boyd Specialties, located in Colton, California, making this a stock recipe.
The next review on Rock Ridge Jerky will focus on a 7 ounce/198 gram bag of their Teriyaki flavored beef brisket jerky. This flavor is described as bursting with exotic tastes of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and more. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by co-owner Kristina Hill.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Wine, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Spices, Onion Powder, Succinic Acid, Garlic Powder, Sodium Benzoate: Less Than 1/10 of 1% As A Preservative.), Pineapple Juice (Pineapple Juice From Concentrate [Water, Concentrated Pineapple Juice], Ascorbic Acid [Vitamin C], Vitamin E, Vitamin A), Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled White Vinegar, Molasses, Sugar, Water, Salt, Onions, Anchovies, Garlic, Cloves, Tamarind Extract, Natural Flavorings, Chili Pepper Extract), Citric Acid), Lemon Juice (Lemon Juice Concentrate, Lemon Emulsion, Sodium Benzoate), Granulated Garlic, Ground Pepper. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat, Anchovies
This brisket cut of beef used is from cattle raised in California. Brisket is considered to be one of the best cuts of beef to use for jerky. 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 used here is comprised of a fair Teriyaki sauce, healthy pineapple juice, a well-respected brand of Worcestershire Sauce, and healthy lemon juice. It is disappointing to see that the teriyaki sauce uses the highly processed unhealthy sweetener high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to lose a rating.
Some healthy ingredients added are granulated garlic and black pepper.
The sugar level is very high at 9 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 5 ounces of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor. The salt level is on the high side at 490mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose another rating.
This jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative used. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
ROCK RIDGE JERKY – TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell teriyaki, in other words sweet. The strips of jerky are large and are sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is rather soft, not my favorite texture, but most, if not all teriyaki textures are the same. The jerky is a bit moist, leaving a small oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I am immediately bombarded with sugar. Massive sweetness punches me right in the kisser, immediately blanketing any other flavors attempting to emanate out of the jerky. I vaguely notice very minute flavors of salt, pepper, and natural beef, but they are drenched and drowned out by the intense sweetness.
I understand that a teriyaki flavor is supposed to be “sweet centric”, but this is most definitely overkill. Taking this all into account, I am NOT impressed with this flavor. I am far too inundated with sweetness. An 8/10 is the best I can muster for this flavor, but most likely closer to a 7/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Rock Ridge Jerky – Teriyaki Beef Brisket Jerky is a good representation of a teriyaki flavor. It is sweet and fruity; the flavors are in the background and sport a pleasant Asian flair. The sweetness and fruitiness are integral and at an unmistakable level, as is often the case with this type of jerky.
The texture is “Soft” as stated on the package, and I find this texture to be well suited for Teriyaki flavors. The strips are tender and have a borderline candied texture, and that’s another bonus.
I’ve really enjoyed this jerky, and I find it to be one of the best Teriyaki flavor representations available. I believe Rock Ridge Jerky has reached what it set itself to achieve, and I only have praise for their achievements. I am certain most, if not all teriyaki enthusiasts will agree and truly appreciate this jerky for what it is. I’d rate this little treat an easy 10/10 Taste Rating. Godspeed!
Here is what Mark had to say about this Teriyaki beef brisket jerky flavor from Rock Ridge Jerky: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the honest taste reviews. I can see both of your points. Yes, this teriyaki flavor is certainly sweet tasting to the point where it has a borderline candied texture, as noted by Stéphane. By definition, teriyaki is supposed to taste sweet, but it’s a little too sweet for my liking. The fragrance of this jerky is bang on, which smells like an authentic teriyaki flavor.”
“I disagree with Paul that all teriyaki flavors tend to be soft and tender. Perhaps most but not all teriyaki flavors. The sweetness mostly dulls out the natural beef brisket flavor. With Paul at a 7 rating, myself at a 9 rating, and Stéphane at a 10 rating, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 7 ounce/198 gram bag of jerky sells online for $20. That works out to $2.85 an ounce, which rates as a cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has a label affixed on the front and nothing on the back. The Rock Ridge Jerky logo has a man depicted dressed in entirely black.
There are no slogans printed. Some facts printed on this bag are “Gourmet Brisket”, “No Added MSG”, “Handcrafted”, “Made in USA”, “Solid Steak Strips”, “Soft”, and “Low In Fat”.
All bag categories are covered but one. There is no blurb printed about Rock Ridge Jerky or this flavor. You are encouraged to follow Rock Ridge Jerky on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Order their jerky online: www.rockridgejerky.com
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