Established in 1980, J&K grew up appreciating true American flavor. Passed down from grandfather to grandson was the appreciation of honest full flavored beef, lightly seasoned and smoked to perfection. Over the years, they saw one of their biggest passions become saturated in preservatives and the authentic taste of jerky lost in large corporate factories. To return the fond memories of the jerky they came to love, they came out with an original flavor and four other signature flavors. The flavor matches how they remember it and know it will take you back.
J&K Beef Jerky is made with 100% USDA Choice Sirloin sourced locally in Southern California. Hand crafted weekly, their beef is double tenderized to increase the tenderness of the meat and enhance its flavors. To minimize preservatives, J&K Beef Jerky uses unique homemade marinades with bold American flavors that have been tried and tested for over 20 years. This J&K Beef Jerky brand is distributed under the name J&K Distributors, and it is located in Huntington Beach, California.
The first review on J&K Beef Jerky will focus on a 7 ounce/198 gram bag of Original flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a Circle K store in Toledo, Ohio.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Sugar, Spices, Liquid Smoke, Vinegar, Sodium Nitrate. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have 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 a decent soy sauce, liquid smoke, and healthy vinegar.
The only healthy ingredient listed is spices.
The sugar level is high at 5 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 quite high at 570mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose another rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite as sodium nitrate is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. Admirably, this flavor does qualify as having no MSG added.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
J&K BEEF JERKY – ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell vinegar and sweet. Not much else.
The jerky is large in size and medium in thickness. The jerky is slightly oily, leaving an ever so slight oily residue on your fingertips.
When I bite into the jerky I am met with the flavors of salt, at a decent level, sweet, higher than I would like, but not overwhelming. I also detect pepper at a consistent level, along with light garlic and light onion.
Over the years, we’ve tried many Original beef jerky flavors. And, more so than with any other flavor, the “Original” moniker has been the most inconsistent as far as flavor goes. Some Original flavors are ridiculously flavorful, while others leave much to be desired, which I fear is the case with this original flavor.
I am finding this version of Original is too intense on the sweet and does not pay enough attention to uniqueness, or at least flavor, to justify a “Wow!” factor rating. Therefore, I am inclined to rate this particular version of Original as an 8/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
I really enjoyed the J&K Beef Jerky – Original Beef Jerky, this little gem is full of beefy flavor. The onion and garlic come through in spades, adding richness and depth to its flavor profile. This jerky is sweet but not overly sweet and perhaps sweeter than some would expect from an Original.
These strips are reminiscent of a great Teriyaki flavor, and they are quite addictive. The texture is awesome, and the aroma is also very pleasant. This jerky is delicious, and I’d rate it between a solid 9 or a 10/10 Taste Rating. My sole and slightest concern is with its label.
Even though this jerky is a bit sweeter than what one may expect from an Original, I am sure most people won’t mind, and they’ll enjoy this tasty treat with great enthusiasm. Cheers!
Here is what Mark had to say about this Original beef jerky flavor from J&K Beef Jerky: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the positive taste reviews. We are mainly in agreement that there is too much sweetness present for an original flavor, which comes across as tasting more like a teriyaki flavor rather than an original flavor. With that said, I disagree with Paul that there is no ‘wow’ factor. There is some ‘wow’ factor, where this jerky does come across as tasting very flavorful. I would not say that the garlic and onion come across in spades but are noticeable and a welcome addition.”
“I agree with Stéphane that the texture is very favorable. The natural beef flavor is good, albeit muted to a certain extent by the sugar. Interestingly, this Original flavor is no longer sold on the J&K website and replaced by a sugar free version of their Original flavor, which sounds enticing. With Paul and me at an 8 rating, Stéphane at a 9 or 10 rating, (8+8+9.5) / 3 = 8.5, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 7 ounce/198 gram bag of jerky sells for $17.15, which equates to $2.45 an ounce. That rates as a cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This silver colored resealable plastic bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back. The Tasty Dead Cow logo depicts a cow with a daisy in its mouth.
Slogans printed on this bag are “We Sell What We Eat, And We Eat The Best!” and “True American Flavor”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Hand Crafted”, “Small Batch”, “Liquid Smoke Flavoring Added”, and “Established Since 1980”.
The only missing bag category is a blurb about J&K Beef Jerky or this flavor. J&K Beef Jerky displays a #jkjerky hashtag.
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