Bridgford – Sweet Teriyaki Beef Jerky (Recipe #3)

Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces were first introduced in 1985. Their philosophy and slogan are “The Sauce is the Boss”. Bridgford Foods Corp. started its business in 1932, specializing in multiple food products, not just meat snacks, and currently has about 500 employees. They have a deep distribution network and are likely in the top five for jerky sales in North America while still being a family run business. The Sweet Baby Ray’s jerky brand name is manufactured and distributed by Bridgford Foods Corp., and they are located in Chicago, Illinois.

The next review for Bridgford will focus on a 2.6 ounce/74 gram bag of their Sweet Teriyaki flavored beef jerky. This jerky bag was purchased at a Family Dollar store in Lewiston, New York.

Ingredient Review

Ingredients: Beef, Water, Seasoning Blend (Salt, Brown Sugar, Sugar, Mustard, Monosodium Glutamate, Dehydrated Garlic, Red Pepper, Sodium Erythorbate, Onion Powder, Spice Extractive), Brown Sugar, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce [Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt], Wine, Sugar, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Spices and Flavorings, {Including Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and Spice Extractives}, Succinic Acid), Teriyaki Powder (Teriyaki Sauce [Tamari Sauce [Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol, Wheat], Sake [Rice, Salt], Apple Cider, Spices, Salt and Flavorings {Including Mustard, Ginger, Salt, White and Black Pepper}], Modified Food Starch, Maltodextrin, Sucrose, Fructose, Natural Smoke Flavor), Sweet Baby Ray’s Jerky Base (Vinegar Powder [Dextrin, Modified Food Starch, Vinegar Solids], Tomato Powder, Pineapple Juice Powder [Maltodextrin, Pineapple Juice], Worcestershire Sauce Powder [Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor and Sulfiting Agents], Natural Smoke Flavor, Spices, and not more than 2% Silicon Dioxide added to prevent caking), Sodium Nitrite.    Allergen Warnings: May Contain Soy and Wheat

This 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 just plain old water. Every other liquid listed is in powdered form, such as teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.

Some healthy ingredients are added, such as mustard powder, garlic powder, red pepper, onion powder, spice extractive, ginger powder, white pepper, black pepper, tomato powder, pineapple juice powder, and spices. The vague term flavorings is listed, which may or may not include healthy ingredients.

The sugar level is 6 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 5 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor as we have here. The salt level is high at 520mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose another rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or under per 28 grams of jerky.

This jerky does not qualify to be sodium nitrite free, as sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite are used as preservatives to lose a rating. The flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used to lose another rating.

Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating

Taste Review

BRIDGFORD – SWEET TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY

Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker

When I open the bag, do I ever smell sweet. All but one of the pieces are small in size. One is bigger than the rest. The pieces are thick, soft, and easy to chew (not as our forefathers intended). There is no oily residue left on your fingers.

As expected, this jerky is exceptionally sweet (just as advertised). It’s not my forte, but I must remain as unbiased as possible here. I taste very light salt, extremely sweet, and not much else. This jerky tastes like “beef jerky sugar cubes”. I personally do not see the allure of this much sugar, but in my attempt to remain unbiased, this flavor is coming through exactly as advertised.

I know this review is coming across as a 6/10, but I feel like I must at least capitulate a little and give it a 7/10. It was not bad, but no treat to me, I experience no “Wow!” factor whatsoever. Gentlemen?

Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc

Bridgford Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet Teriyaki Beef Jerky is incredibly tasty. This is the jerky’s gold standard IMHO. There are tons of well balanced and great flavors. There is a hint of tomato flavor paired with a rich smokiness, garlic, and so much more. The salt and sweetness are just perfect. I do not find any intrusive flavors or overly bold tastes. The texture is pleasant, and the aroma is simply intoxicating.

I reckon the Bridgford Sweet Baby Ray’s Beef Jerky is in a league of its own. I can’t find any fault, this is a wonderful jerky, and each bite is rich and delicious. The flavor is consistent throughout and an amazingly tasty treat. A well deserved 10/10 Taste Rating. A+ Godspeed!

Here is what Mark had to say about this Sweet Teriyaki beef jerky flavor from Bridgford: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the contrasting taste reviews. I am squarely in the middle of your taste reviews. I have to give Stéphane credit for his consistency, where Stéphane has not tried a Bridgford yet that he has not loved. Unlike Paul, I did not find this flavor overly sweet tasting, especially with a flavor named Sweet Teriyaki. This jerky has a Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecuey flavor.”

“As with Stéphane, I too thought the taste profile was well-balanced and tastes great. The teriyaki aspect is interesting but lacks an Asian flair. Nevertheless, I too found this flavor to be addictive and tasty. With Stéphane at a 10, Paul at a 7, and myself at a 9, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”

This 2.6 ounce/74 gram bag of jerky was purchased for $4.60. That equates to $1.77 cents an ounce, which classifies as a cheap price.

Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating

Bag Review

This resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted directly onto the bag itself, both on the front and back. There is a high resolution picture displayed on the front of a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce. Oddly on the front, there is something covered in white that resembles mold.

The slogan for Bridgford Foods is “The Premium Brand”. Some facts displayed on this bag are “High in Protein”, “0g Trans Fat”, “100% American Beef”, “Gourmet Sauces”, “80 Calories”, “0g Sat Fat”, “11g Protein”, and “Made in the USA”.

All bag categories are covered with this bag. There is a good blurb printed on the back describing Bridgford Foods. Admirably, a toll free phone number is provided for customer inquiries. You are encouraged to follow Bridgford Foods on Facebook and Twitter. A QR code is displayed linking back to the Bridgford Foods website.

Excellent (10/10) – Bag Rating