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 flavored with various spices, including black pepper, garlic, and paprika. The meat sticks were kindly submitted for review by co-owner Franco Fonseca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork, Beef, Water, Spices (Including Ground Whole Mustard Seed), Black Pepper, Corn Syrup Solids, Dextrose, Garlic Powder, Natural Spice Extractives (Including Celery Seed), Encapsulated Citric Acid (Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Oil), Sodium Acetate, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite, Stuffed in a 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, spices, mustard powder, mustard seed, black pepper, and natural spice extractives.
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 0 grams of sugar per 25 grams of meat stick. The salt level is acceptable at 350mg of salt per 25 grams of meat stick.
Unhealthy sodium nitrite is used as a preservative in this meat stick along with sodium erythorbate to lose a rating. Admirably, this meat stick does qualify to have no MSG added.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SMOKEHOUSE JERKY CO. – PEPPERED MEAT STICKS
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I am met with next to no smell whatsoever. The meat stick resembles all other meat sticks. They are similar in length, width, and girth. When I bite into the meat stick, I am missing on the “snap” of the collagen casing, it is not present whatsoever in the original bite.
I am detecting excellent levels of salt, pepper, garlic and natural flavors. The sweet is not very prevalent, and this is turning into a very favorable experience. I am picking up on the intense salt, pepper and garlic, I just can’t articulate it. It is crazy and infinitely tasty, and kudos to the creators for a very favorable 9/10, only deducting a point for the lack of a snap to the casing.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Peppered meat stick flavor from Smokehouse Jerky Co.: “Thanks Paul for the positive taste review. I agree with everything stated and appreciate the lack of sweetness. The salt to black pepper ratio is perfect, living up to its name of being a peppered flavor. The only minor complaint is the lack of ‘snap’ in the texture. A unanimous Very Good (9/10) taste 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.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
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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