Indiana jerky is a European jerky producer known for its high protein dried meat snacks made according to traditional Native American inspired recipes. Founded in the Czech Republic in 2002, it has grown to become one of the largest manufacturers of dried meat in the country. It is considered among the top producers in Europe, exporting products to over 20 countries worldwide. Indiana Jerky’s products include beef, chicken, turkey, and pork, as well as tuna varieties.
Their jerky is crafted by thinly slicing lean meat, marinating it, and then gently drying and smoking it over several hours to preserve natural flavor and texture. The snacks are marketed as low carbohydrate, gluten-free, and sugar free, offering a lightweight, shelf stable source of protein that appeals to athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a healthier jerky option. This Indiana jerky brand is distributed under the name Indiana S.R.O., and it is located in Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic, Europe.
The first review on Indiana will focus on a 0.88 ounce/25 gram bag of their Original flavored turkey jerky. The flavor is described as a light, low touch delicacy that contains 46% protein and only a minimum of fat, with the unmistakable European salty taste of meat. This bag was purchased online from amazon.ca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Turkey, Salt, Sea Salt (0.2%), Soy Protein Hydrolysate (Soya), Yeast Extract, Wine Vinegar, Black Pepper, aroma, Smoke Aroma, Garlic, Preservative: Sodium Nitrite. Allergen Warnings: Soy
To the best of my knowledge, turkeys raised in Europe are not allowed to receive growth hormones. There is no guarantee that the turkey has free range access to roam. As a result, the highest ingredient rating possible is Very Good (9/10).
The liquid marinade consists of only healthy wine vinegar.
Some healthy ingredients added are black pepper and garlic.
The sugar level is great at less than 1 gram of sugar per 25 grams of jerky. International jerky appears to measure salt levels differently from the North American nutrition facts tables.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite, as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added, as the cheap, highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
INDIANA – ORIGINAL TURKEY JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell nothing. I suppose I haven’t gotten my smell back yet from a cold. The pieces are all basically the same size. They are smallish and sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is dry and rigid, just as our forefathers intended. There is no oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky, I can immediately tell I am not eating beef, yet I still like the flavor. It is the dictionary definition of original to my taste buds. The salt, sugar, pepper, garlic, and onion levels are all mild, the epitome of an original flavor. But, somehow, I am really enjoying this flavor. It is by no means bland, but it has just the right amounts of everything to make it a tasty flavor. Not great, but decent. Decent typically intonates a 7/10, but I’m going to buck the trend and step it up to an 8/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Original turkey jerky flavor from Indiana: “Thanks Paul for the honest taste review. I generally agree with everything stated. The saltiness is at a higher level than just mild tasting but does not go overboard. Same with the sugar, but at the opposite end, being minimally sweet or no sweetness at all, just the way we like it. Everything else is at a mild level.”
“Agreed that the taste does come across as tasting like an original flavor, where the natural taste of turkey is the star of the show, apart from a moderate level of salt. One minor turn off was a small piece of turkey that was unchewable, which may have been a tendon. The natural flavor of turkey has no hint of tasting processed, and the overall taste profile is fairly simple. This turkey jerky was enjoyable, but there was no ‘wow’ factor. A unanimous Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 0.88 ounce/25 gram bag sold online for $38.99 CDN. That works out to $44.31 an ounce, which rates at a very expensive price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This non-resealable plastic bag has everything printed directly onto the bag, both on the front and back. The Indiana logo depicts an Indian. The back features a high resolution picture of jerky strips.
A slogan printed on this bag could be “Real Bite of Power”. Some facts printed on this bag are “With Salt of the Dead Sea”, “High Protein 54%”, “Sugar Free”, “Snacking”, “Sport”, “Traveling”, and “Outdoor”.
Some missing bag categories are a transparent window to view the jerky, a blurb about the company or jerky, the weight not stated in ounces, and a soy allergen alert. There are multiple language translations provided on this bag.
Leave a Comment