Rickey’s Jerky is a family‑owned, veteran‑led jerky brand based in the USA that began as a humble mom‑and‑pop stall at farmers’ markets in 2014 and has since grown into a nationwide movement. Crafted with grit, discipline, and integrity, their flagship beef jerky is made from USDA Choice American beef, seasoned, smoked (not merely dehydrated), and packaged using traditional, time‑tested methods. Rickey’s Jerky is bold, simple, and packed with protein, gluten‑free, keto‑friendly, and allergen conscious, available in a wide range of flavors and variety packs.
While their beef line features 100% domestic cuts with no nitrates, MSG, or high‑fructose corn syrup, Rickey’s Jerky also prides itself on an exotic meats selection, such as elk, bison, wild boar, alligator, and even kangaroo, all sourced from trusted suppliers in the U.S. and abroad and held to rigorous safety standards. Each batch is handmade in small batches, ensuring quality and care, and sold directly by real people at fairs, festivals, rodeos, and markets nationwide. Rickey’s Jerky isn’t just a snack company; it’s a community driven brand built on personal connections and shared passion hand shaking, storytelling, and jerky slinging one bag at a time.
This Rickey’s Jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Rickey’s Jerky, located in St Petersburg, Florida. This jerky is manufactured by Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, and is located in Hubbard, Oregon.
The next review on Rickey’s Jerky will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of Original flavored chopped and formed antelope jerky. This flavor is described as being sourced from open range antelope, being dry smoked, and lightly seasoned to showcase its clean, game forward flavor. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by Owner Ryan Rickey.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Antelope, Brown Sugar, Water, Honey, Salt, Garlic, Natural Smoke Flavoring, Celery Powder, Black Pepper.
antelope meat is leaner and healthier compared to beef. The antelope are raised ethically, meaning they are not administered growth hormones or additional antibiotics. They also have free range access to graze on grass, and roam about, just as nature intended. As a result, the ingredient rating starts at Excellent (10/10).
The texture of this jerky is chopped and formed. As a result, two ingredient ratings are deducted without a natural whole muscled strip of jerky.
The liquid marinade is comprised of just water and healthy honey.
Some healthy ingredients added are garlic and black pepper.
The sugar level is a little 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 sugar. The salt level is acceptable at 270mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky qualifies to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is salt and celery powder to a lesser degree. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
RICKEY’S JERKY – ANTELOPE JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell what I believe to be vinegar, and nothing else. The pieces are large in size, and they are medium in thickness. As Mark alluded to earlier, these strips of jerky are chopped and formed, which is usually not a favorable thing for us jerky aficionados. At least the jerky is rigid, just as our forefathers intended. There is no oily substance left on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I am met, unfortunately, with that chopped and formed texture and taste. We were excited to try antelope jerky for (I believe) the first time, but I can’t say that I am tasting any natural antelope. It tastes processed as well. I taste salt, at a decent level, nominal sweet, decent pepper, mild garlic, and possibly vinegar in the background.
While it is not a bad flavor, per se, it is not an addictive flavor, and I don’t even detect any antelope, it just tastes too processed. It is a rather pedestrian flavor, and since I don’t know what antelope tastes like, I can’t really tell if I’m eating antelope or not. I have to say I was eagerly anticipating trying something new, but I am somewhat disappointed. A 7/10 is the best I can do, just based solely on the processed flavor, and definitely no “Wow!!” factor. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Original chopped and formed antelope jerky flavor from Rickey’s Jerky: “Thanks Paul for the honest taste review. While I had tried antelope jerky before, around 15 years ago, before I started this jerky review website, I was surprised to discover that this antelope jerky was chopped and formed. It’s your typical chopped and formed texture, perhaps a little tougher than most, but still somewhat easy to chew for your teeth, a huge bonus for people with sensitive teeth. While I can detect a subtle gamey flavor, I feel as if I am not getting the true experience of eating antelope jerky done the old fashioned way.”
“The sweetness is at an almost medium level, which tends to drown out the natural flavor of antelope. The overall taste profile is fairly simple, which is the way it should be for a jerky with no flavor name assigned to it. While the flavor tastes good, I agree with Paul that there is no ‘wow’ factor. With Paul at a 7 and myself at an 8, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky sells online for $22.00, which equates to $7.33 an ounce. That rates as an expensive price.
Bag Review
This clear plastic non-resealable bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back. The Rickey’s Jerky logo has a smiling cow wearing a baseball cap. This bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
There are no slogans displayed on this bag. Some facts printed are “Proudly Made in the USA”, “Simple Ingredients”, “Simply Delicious”, “American Made”, “Handcrafted Beef Jerky”, and “Gluten Free”.
The only missing bag category is a blurb about this jerky or flavor.
Order their jerky online: www.rickeysjerky.com
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