As a road trip junkie who has logged thousands of miles traveling through Texas, I’ve made more pitstops at Buc-ee’s than I can count. And one of my must-buy items during every visit is their incredibly delicious beef jerky. With its perfect balance of smoky, salty flavor and tender yet crisp texture, Buc-ee’s beef jerky hits the spot every time.
But even after years of loyalty to this legendary gas station chain, I recently realized I had no clue about a pretty important detail – who actually makes their famous jerky? The supplier behind Buc-ee’s beefy bounty has been shrouded in secrecy…until now!
After digging into this mystery, the veiled jerky maker has finally been revealed. Keep reading to discover the truth behind who crafts this road trip staple for Buc-ee’s diehard fans like myself
Why Buc-ee’s Beef Jerky Stands Out
Before unmasking the mysterious producer let’s look at why Buc-ee’s beef jerky is so addictively delicious in the first place. Even though you’re buying it at a gas station this is no typical truck stop jerky.
Buc-ee’s jerky comes in a variety of flavors like Teriyaki, Ghost Pepper, Mesquite Smoked, and more. The jerky has the perfect texture – moist yet pleasantly chewy. And it packs some serious protein power. Fans can’t get enough of this high-quality jerky that’s a step above mass-produced gas station varieties.
Even better, Buc-ee’s jerky is sold at gas station prices despite its premium taste. At around $7.99 for a 5 oz bag, it’s a protein-packed bargain compared to other gourmet jerkys. With praiseworthy flavor and reasonable prices, it’s no wonder Buc-ee’s jerky has earned a cult following.
The Hunt to Find Buc-ee’s Supplier
Buc-ee’s is notoriously secretive about who makes their private label products, from beaver nugget snacks to breakfast tacos. For years, the beef jerky supplier’s identity was unknown as well.
Fans speculated that major meat producer JBS USA might be the mystery jerky maker, but no proof ever emerged. Jack Link’s was another rumored possibility, but again, nothing confirmed. The supplier was a well-kept secret…until a recall incident blew the case wide open.
In 2018, pieces of metal were found in a batch of Buc-ee’s Teriyaki Beef Jerky. This led to a major recall of almost 700 lbs of jerky. The recall announcement revealed the jerky manufacturer – Junior’s Smokehouse!
While this Texas company may not be a household name, they are considered high-quality meat producers. And their identity explains why Buc-ee’s jerky tastes so much better than typical gas station varieties.
Why Knowing the Supplier Matters
Learning that Junior’s Smokehouse makes Buc-ee’s jerky gives key insights into why it stands out:
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Texas-based: Located in Pflugerville, TX, Junior’s understands the tastes of local Buc-ee’s clientele.
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30+ years experience: Founded in 1989, Junior’s are smoked meat experts.
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Quality focus: Junior’s only uses high-end meats to craft premium jerkys.
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Small-batch production: They don’t mass produce, allowing customized recipes and oak smoking.
By partnering with regional jerky giants like Junior’s, Buc-ee’s ensures super-fresh, small-batch jerky unmatched by national competitors.
Get Gourmet Jerky for Road Trip Prices
Now that the beef jerky supplier has been unveiled, it makes perfect sense why Buc-ee’s jerky has achieved elite flavor status. By collaborating with acclaimed local producers like Junior’s Smokehouse, Buc-ee’s provides road trippers with restaurant-quality jerky for gas station prices.
Fans get the meat mastery of Junior’s paired with Buc-ee’s discount bulk pricing – it’s a winning combo that has made their jerky an obsession across the South. Next time your road trip takes you into a Buc-ee’s, appreciate the care that goes into crafting their crave-worthy jerky!
Top Cooking Tips for Buc-ee’s Beef Jerky
Now that you know who the jerky geniuses are behind the scenes, it’s time to enjoy this irresistible snack! Here are my tips for savoring Buc-ee’s beef jerky:
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Enjoy jerky as a high-protein road trip snack – it makes boredom vanish!
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Crumble spicy jerky over tacos or nachos for a flavor and texture punch.
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Chop jerky into crunchy toppings for salads or grain bowls.
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Treat your dog to some jerky as a healthy, meaty treat. Just be sure to check for added seasonings.
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For a protein kick, enjoy jerky bits stirred into your morning yogurt or oatmeal.
With its rich smoky flavor, Buc-ee’s jerky amplifies flavors in any recipe. It also provides a hearty helping of protein for any busy road warrior.
Now that the secret’s out, get your hands on this crave-worthy jerky during your next visit to a Buc-ee’s near you. Your taste buds will thank you – and so will your travel buddy when you generously share this irresistible salty snack!
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A Carnivores Crave!
There’s nothing else like these fresh, flavored jerkys! Have you ever seen such a great selection? If not, this is the perfect place to start. For those that have, this is the perfect gift. Well carefully package strong-flavored beef jerky into a gift set that they’ll eat for days (or even weeks)! This is without a doubt the jerky lover’s dream collection—a taste of the country with Texas-smoked beef thats cooked just right.
If you get the Large, you can try all five flavors of jerky. If you get the XL, the person you’re giving it to can open one bag every day for a week! Orders will be wrapped in cellophane and come with a holiday bow. Bundle will be shipped in a bubble mailer. Tastes will be chosen by experts at Interstate Snax. Interstate Snax Bundles will be sent out quickly so they get to you quickly! You can add a gift message during checkout, and we’ll include a message for the person you’re giving the gift to. Get in touch with us if you want to talk about: ✦ Create your own gift boxes ✦ Large orders for real estate agents, insurance companies, home builders, financial advisors, and more Small but very important note: We are not connected to, endorsed by, or sponsored by Buc-ees or any of the other stores we represent. We just LOVE these products and want to creatively bundle together for all your gifting needs. All trademarks used are the property of their respective retailer / brand. The displayed trademarks (pictures, logos, or names) are part of the product which we are reselling. These are for identification purposes only – and not to be misconstrued as Interstate Snax property. Once you place your order, we go to the closest Buc-ees and buy (full retail) what you ordered. We then put it all together to make a package that will make you smile, laugh, and be stuffed with snacks. Prices through our selling channels are higher than if purchased directly from Buc-ee’s. Do not return these products to the brand represented (in this case, Buc-ee’s). These products were purchased by Interstate Snax, a 3rd party not affiliated with Buc-ee’s, and resold to you. For questions, refer to our return policy.
Bucee’s in Texas – Ranking All The Beef Jerky!
FAQ
Where do Buc-Ee’s get their jerky?
Is Buc-Ee’s beef jerky good?
Does bucees make their own snacks?
Does bucees make their own products?
Where is Buc-EE’s jerky made?
A precautionary recall of one type of Buc-ee’s jerky revealed that at least some of its signature jerky is made by Texas-based Junior’s Smokehouse Processing Plant, per CSP Daily News. But Buc-ee’s makes no secret that it outsources the production of many of its offerings.
Does Buc-EE’s jerky come in bags?
But while Buc-ee’s jerky is one of its most famous and sought-after food offerings, and all of its pre-packaged jerky comes in bags with the Buc-ee’s logo and branding, the chain outsources at least some of its jerky production.
Does Buc-EE’s make beef jerky?
Some Buc-ee’s travel centers have jerky counters that are more than twenty feet long. “That’s part of our DNA, really good beef jerky. That’s a real Texas thing. A lot of it starts back to the roots of the company.” Just the classics, made to order: “We make a lot of breakfast tacos. Brisket tacos, egg and bacon.
Does Buc EE’s have turkey jerky?
Buc-ee’s also offers turkey jerky, albeit in a smaller range of flavors than its regular beef jerky. According to the YouTube channel Rants, Reviews and Road Trips, the peppered turkey jerky is a solidly good product, superior to typical mass-produced turkey jerky.