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 Hemet, California.
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3.5 ounce/99 gram bag of their Mesquite BBQ meat sticks. This flavor is described as being seasoned with various spices and flavors, including mesquite smoke flavoring, barbecue sauce, garlic, onion, and other savory ingredients. The meat sticks were kindly submitted for review by co-owner Franco Fonseca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork, Beef, Water, Sugar, Spices (Including Mustard Seed), Dextrose, Onion and Garlic Powder, Natural Smoke Flavor (Contains Maltodextrin, Molasses Powder (Cane Sugar, Cane Molasses, Cane Caramel), Natural Spice Extractives (Including Celery Seed), Monosodium Glutamate, Spices, Encapsulated Citric Acid (Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Oil), Dried Onion and Garlic, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Maltodextrin, Natural Mesquite Smoke Flavor, Chili Powder, Worcestershire Sauce Solids (Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Salt, Dried Garlic, Caramel Color, Sugar, Spices, Taramind, Natural Flavors), Sodium Acetate, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite, Stuffed in a Colored Collagen Casing. Allergen Warnings: Soy
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, onion powder, mustard seed, chili powder, 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 great at 1 gram of sugar per 25 grams of meat stick. The salt level is high at 360mg of salt per 25 grams of meat stick to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of meat stick.
Unhealthy sodium nitrite is used as a preservative in this meat stick along with sodium erythorbate to lose a rating.
This meat stick does not qualify to have no MSG added, as monosodium glutamate is used outright to lose a rating. The cheap, highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Very Bad (2/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SMOKEHOUSE JERKY CO. – MESQUITE BBQ MEAT STICKS
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I believe I smell bbq, along with vinegar, which is not unusual for a meat stick. The meat stick is similar in size, thickness, and hue to any other basic meat stick.
When I bite into the meat stick I am once again disappointed by the lack of “snap” in the collagen casing.
The first flavors I encounter are mild salt, mild sweet, mild pepper, and medium BBQ flavor. This meat stick is lacking in any possible “Wow” factor. All flavors, outside of the BBQ flavor, which is most prominent, but still not intense enough, are mild at best, making for a rather bland flavor.
I like this flavor, but by no means am I loving it. It’s a rather uninspiring 7/10 in my estimation.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Mesquite BBQ meat stick flavor from Smokehouse Jerky Co.: “Thanks Paul for the candid taste review. I disagree that there is no wow factor, as Paul traditionally does not favor BBQ flavors all that much. The barbecue aspect of this meat stick is delicious, leaving you wanting more. While the taste of smoke is present, I cannot say that I detected the flavor of mesquite. I totally agree that the texture lacks ‘snap’. With Paul at a 7 rating and myself at an 8 rating, a Good (8/10) rating will be awarded.”
This 3.5 ounce/99 gram bag of meat sticks sells online for $8.95. That works out to $2.55 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 be translated to the best before date.
Order their jerky online: www.smokehousejerkyco.com
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