The business has been around since the 1950s, but the Trader Joe’s name wasn’t created until 1967. It is based in Monrovia, California. Trader Joe’s tries to package innovative, hard-to-find foods, under the “Trader Joe’s” name. It’s okay for Trader Joe’s not to say which private labeler made this jerky; they have the right to keep that information secret. That technically makes this jerky is a stock recipe.
By all accounts, this is very high quality turkey meat. The turkeys were raised ethically with no growth hormones, which is US federal law anyway for turkeys. The turkeys also had free range access, the way nature intended.
The liquid marinade consists of water, soy sauce and very healthy apple cider vinegar. Paprika is the only spice listed, which is quite healthy.
As for questionable ingredients, the vague term flavorings is used. That could contain almost any ingredient, both bad and good. It is disappointing to see caramel color added, normally used to make foods browner in color. Caramel color is not believed to be healthy.
The sugar level is 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. That is somewhat on the high side, where 3 grams of sugar or less is preferred. The salt level is respectable at 270mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
They are mostly small sized pieces, with the odd medium sized piece. The jerky strips thickness are medium. This texture is just a little bit dry, which makes for fairly easy chewing. There’s no fat anywhere, and this jerky doesn’t leave any residue on your fingers.
This jerky has a mild taste, generally the way an original flavor should be. As you chew more, the sweetness really stands out. With the exception of the sugar taste, we don’t really pick up on any other flavors. The turkey itself has a nice taste.
While this jerky is advertised as being smoked, we struggled to detect any smoke flavor. The soy flavor is mild at best. Overall, the sugary, sweet taste just seems to dominate here.
I paid $6. 99 for this 4 ounce/113 gram bag. That works out to $1. 74 an ounce, which translates to an average price. If you can get past the sweet taste, this is a good deal for the money because it’s made with high-quality turkey meat.
This is a rather tall plastic bag, more than big enough to fit 4 ounces/113 grams. Overall, a very professional bag design. Two fences are drawn on the bag. A turkey is drawn next to the fence on the bottom. It gives you the impression that this jerky came straight from a small farm.
There are slogans such as “No Preservatives”, “No Nitrites” and “No Added MSG”. On the bag, this turkey jerky is described as “Natural*”, with an asterisk at the end. Items for the asterisk are “No Artificial Ingredients” and “Minimally Processed”. Lastly, the bag mentions “Turkey Raised Without Added Hormones”.
All bag categories are covered here except one. There are no soy and wheat allergen alerts. There is a detailed blurb on the bag about this Trader Joe’s turkey jerky.
The Ultimate Guide to Trader Joe’s Addictive Turkey Jerky
Trader Joe’s has some of the most delicious and affordable turkey jerky around As a TJ’s fanatic, I’m always stocking up on their tasty jerkies to snack on. In this ultimate guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Trader Joe’s addictive turkey jerky
When you’re craving a protein packed snack, turkey jerky is a nutritious choice. It provides a hefty dose of protein while being low in fat. Trader Joe’s turkey jerky stands out for its premium quality at a budget friendly price.
An Overview of Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky
Trader Joe’s offers high-quality turkey jerky made from sliced and dried turkey breast meat It comes in a convenient resealable pouch containing about 4 ounces of jerky
They have four main flavors:
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Original: Seasoned simply with sea salt and black pepper for a bold, smoky taste. This classic flavor is a crowd pleaser.
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Teriyaki: The jerky gets coated in a sweet and salty teriyaki glaze. It has a wonderful sticky texture.
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Sweet & Spicy: A flavor explosion balances honey with chili and garlic. It has a nice kick of heat.
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Maple Glazed: Real Vermont maple syrup gives this jerky its signature sweet flavor. It’s like eating breakfast!
No matter what variety you choose, you can count on premium ingredients and an artisanal quality you can taste.
Nutritional Benefits
A major benefit of Trader Joe’s turkey jerky is how nutritious it is. A 1 ounce serving contains:
- 70 calories
- 16 grams of protein
- 1.5 grams of fat
- 370 mg of sodium
So it provides substantial protein in a low calorie count. It’s also sugar-free, gluten-free, nitrate-free, and contains no MSG. You can feel good snacking on this meaty treat! Just watch the sodium levels if that’s a concern.
Cost Breakdown
Not only does Trader Joe’s turkey jerky taste amazing, it’s priced very reasonably:
- Each 4 ounce pouch costs $5.99
- That equals around $1.50 per ounce
Compared to premium jerkies that can cost $2-$3 per ounce, TJ’s saves you money. You get gourmet quality at grocery store prices.
Choosing the Best Pouches
When selecting Trader Joe’s turkey jerky, keep these tips in mind to pick the freshest pouches:
- Check the expiration date and pick ones furthest from expiring
- Avoid pouches with any tears or leaks
- Give the jerky a sniff and make sure it smells fresh, not off
- Look for a rich golden brown color – grayish jerky is old
- Feel that the jerky is dry but pliable, not brittle
Following these guidelines will lead to the best tasting jerky possible!
Storage and Shelf Life
Once opened, Trader Joe’s advises eating their turkey jerky within 3 weeks. To maximize freshness:
- Store unopened pouches in a cool, dry place away from light
- After opening, tightly reseal and refrigerate
- Eat within 3 weeks for optimal quality and taste
- Discard any leftover jerky after 3 weeks – don’t risk eating expired jerky!
Proper storage preserves the jerky’s texture and robust flavor.
Tasty Ways to Eat It
There are so many amazing ways to enjoy Trader Joe’s turkey jerky:
- Eat it straight from the bag for a protein packed snack
- Crumble it on top of salads, nachos, baked potatoes
- Dice it up into hearty ramen or omelets
- Make turkey jerky wraps with sliced jerky inside
- Use it in place of bacon bits on sandwiches
- Mix it into egg scrambles for breakfast
However you choose to eat it, Trader Joe’s turkey jerky always satisfies!
Rating Every Flavor
Now for my personal taste test and reviews of every variety of Trader Joe’s turkey jerky:
Original
With its simple yet bold peppery smokiness, the original is a true crowd pleaser. The turkey has an incredible meaty flavor and tender chew. The black pepper adds a nice zing without being overpowering. This classic flavor remains my number one favorite for its craveable peppery taste. 5/5
Teriyaki
The teriyaki glaze gives the jerky a wonderfully sticky, charred sweetness. It has a great balance of savory and sweet. My only complaint is the glaze slightly masks the natural turkey flavor. But the texture remains perfectly chewy. Overall a great option! 4/5
Sweet and Spicy
This has become my new obsession! The mix of honey and chili makes for an amazing sweet heat combo. It starts off tasting sweet and then BAM, your mouth gets hit by the heat. For spice lovers, this one is a must try. The only negative is the lingering heat can overpower the other flavors. But it’s thrilling if you like things extra spicy! 4.5/5
Maple Glazed
This tastes like pure maple syrup bliss! The real Vermont maple makes it decadent and toothsome. However, it’s almost too sweet for jerky in my opinion. But big maple fans will go crazy for this breakfast-like flavor. 4/5
The Verdict
After extensive taste testing, I can safely say Trader Joe’s makes some incredible turkey jerky. Their original flavor takes the top spot for me – that peppery smokiness is just perfectly addictive. But all the varieties deliver quality and unique flavors you don’t get from other brands.
What makes TJ’s turkey jerky so special is the noticeable care that goes into handcrafting each batch using premium ingredients. You can truly taste the difference. Plus it’s healthy and cost effective.
So for a protein packed snack bursting with flavor, you can’t go wrong with Trader Joe’s turkey jerky. It beats the competition by a landslide! Just be prepared to keep returning for more of these tasty jerkies.
Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky
FAQ
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