Established in 2013, Smokehouse Jerky Co. has grown significantly over the past decade, becoming a leading private label provider for over 150 jerky and snack companies. Franco and Patti Fonseca assumed company ownership in 2017 and have since been dedicated to refining their jerky and snack lines. Operating under the name Tender Heifer Snack Co., Smokehouse Jerky Co. actively seeks new distributors nationwide and offers private label services.
With a diverse product range, Smokehouse Jerky Co. presents an array of options, including beef, bacon, game, and exotic jerky, as well as meat sticks. The brand Smokehouse Jerky Co. is distributed by Tender Heifer Snack Co., which is headquartered in Beaumont, California.
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3.5 ounce/99 gram bag of their Sriracha meat sticks. This flavor is described as being a spicy twist on the classic meat stick. The meat sticks were graciously submitted for review by co-owner Franco Fonseca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork, Beef, Water, Salt, Natural Sriracha Chili Sauce Flavor (Spice, Natural Flavor [Contains Canola Oil], Salt, Maltodextrin, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Molasses), Dextrose, Corn Syrup Solids, Spices (Including Mustard Seed), Garlic Powder, Natural Spice Extractives (Including Paprika), Encapsulated Citric Acid (Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Oil), Sodium Acetate, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite, Stuffed in Colored Collagen Casing .
The pork used is guaranteed to be raised ethically with no antibiotics or added hormones. This pork is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam outside. The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones. 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.
Some healthy ingredients listed are garlic powder, mustard seeds, and spices.
Hydrogenated palm oil is used, which contains unhealthy trans fat to lose a rating.
The artificial color red #40 or an equivalent is likely used in the collagen casing to lose a rating.
The sugar level is 0 grams of sugar per 25 grams of meat stick. The salt level is a little high at 430mg of salt per 25 grams of meat stick to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
Unhealthy sodium nitrite is used as a preservative in this meat stick along with sodium erythorbate to lose a rating. Admirably, this meat stick qualifies to have no MSG added.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SMOKEHOUSE JERKY CO. – SRIRACHA MEAT STICKS
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell nothing. The meat stick looks like most other meat sticks in size, shape, and hue.
When I bite into the meat stick, the collagen casing has absolutely no “snap” whatsoever. The meat stick is very soft, too soft in my opinion. I will deduct a point due there being no snap at all.
The flavors I am encountering are excellent level of salt and a decent level of pepper. I taste minimal sweetness, another plus, along with slight garlic and even slighter onion. The sriracha flavor is lighter than I expected but is in the background.
Overall, this meat stick is a tasty experience, but I will be deducting two ratings: one for the lack of a “snap” and another rating for the mild sriracha flavor. I would have expected the sriracha to be at the forefront.
This brings us to an 8/10. Taste alone, it’s a 9/10, but I’m giving it an 8/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Sriracha meat stick flavor from Smokehouse Jerky Co.: “Thanks Paul for the bang on taste review. I do not have much to add here. I agree that the texture lacks ‘snap’ to lose a rating. It is also true that the Sriracha flavor is not at the forefront, but this flavor has a certain mild spiciness. The taste profile is somewhat simple and well-balanced. A unanimous Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 3.5 ounce/99 gram bag of meat sticks sells online for $9.99. That works out to $2.85 an ounce, which is rated as an expensive price.
Bag Review
This non-resealable plastic bag has a label affixed to both the front and back. The label has a fairly detailed picture of a wooden shack with a “Smokehouse” sign.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. The only fact printed on this bag is “Made in U.S.A.”.
The only missing bag category is a best before date. A batch number is printed, which can translate to the best before date.
Order their jerky online: www.smokehousejerkyco.com
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