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 JerkyIf you’re a fan of protein-packed, flavorful snacks, you need to try Trader Joe’s turkey jerky. This jerky is made from quality turkey breast meat that’s sliced thin and slow-cooked to perfection The result is a shelf-stable, on-the-go snack that delivers a hearty punch of protein with a fraction of the fat and calories of other cured meats.
At my local Trader Joe’s, I’ve become obsessed with stocking up on their turkey jerky. It hits the spot when I’m seeking something salty and meaty, without derailing my healthy eating goals. After taste testing every variety of their turkey jerky, I can definitively say it’s some of the best I’ve ever tried.
In this ultimate guide, I’ll give you the inside scoop on Trader Joe’s fantastic turkey jerky You’ll learn about the different flavors, cost, nutrition, and tips for picking the freshest pouches I’ll also share my ratings and reviews of each variety, so you’ll know exactly which ones deserve a spot in your snack stash.
An Overview of Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky
Trader Joe’s offers premium quality turkey jerky made from sliced and dried turkey breast meat. It comes in around 4 ounce resealable stand-up pouches.
There are 4 main flavors:
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Original: Seasoned simply with sea salt and black pepper for a bold, smoky taste.
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Teriyaki: Glazed with a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce. Has a wonderful sticky texture.
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Sweet & Spicy: Balances honey with chili and garlic for a flavor explosion. Brings some heat.
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Maple Glazed: Real Vermont maple syrup gives it a signature sweet flavor.
No matter what you choose, you can count on Trader Joe’s jerky to offer artisanal quality at an affordable price.
Nutrition Facts: High Protein, Low Calorie
Turkey jerky from Trader Joe’s is surprisingly nutritious, making it the perfect high protein snack. A 1 ounce serving contains:
- 70 calories
- 16 grams of protein
- 1.5 grams of fat
- 370 mg sodium
So it delivers a solid protein punch without weighing you down. It’s also sugar-free, gluten-free, nitrate-free, and contains no MSG. Moderating sodium intake is advised, but overall it’s a smart snack choice.
Cost Breakdown and Value
Trader Joe’s turkey jerky is very reasonably priced:
- Each pouch contains 4 ounces of jerky
- Pouches retail for $5.99
- That’s only $1.50 per ounce
Compared to premium jerkies that can cost $2 to $3 per ounce, Trader Joe’s offers delicious jerky made with quality ingredients at a steal. It’s perfect for stocking up without breaking the bank.
Choosing the Best Pouches
When shopping at Trader Joe’s, use these tips to select the freshest turkey jerky pouches:
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Check expiration dates and pick ones with the latest dates.
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Avoid pouches with any tears or leaks.
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Give pouches a sniff to ensure a characteristic turkey jerky aroma. Discard any with an off smell.
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Look for a rich golden brown color. Grayish jerky is old.
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Opt for jerky that seems dry but still pliable, not brittle.
Following these guidelines will ensure you get the best tasting jerky possible.
Storage and Shelf Life
Once opened, Trader Joe’s recommends consuming turkey jerky within 3 weeks for peak freshness and taste. To store:
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Keep unopened pouches in a cool, dry place away from light.
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After opening, reseal the pouch tightly and refrigerate.
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Discard any leftovers after 3 weeks – don’t risk eating expired jerky!
Proper storage preserves texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to enjoy Trader Joe’s jerky:
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Eat it straight from the pouch as a protein-packed snack.
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Crumble it on salads, nachos, baked potatoes for extra flavor.
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Chop it up in egg scrambles or as a ramen topper.
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Add jerky bits into sandwiches and burgers.
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Wrap it up in lettuce leaves for quick protein wraps.
However you eat it, Trader Joe’s turkey jerky always satisfies!
Rating Every Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky Flavor
Here are my honest thoughts and ratings after taste testing every variety of Trader Joe’s turkey jerky:
Original
With its straightforward peppery taste, this crowd-pleasing flavor is seriously addicting. The jerky has incredible smoky flavor and great chewy yet tender texture. The black pepper adds a nice zing without being overwhelming. One of my favorites!
Rating: 5/5
Teriyaki
The sticky teriyaki glaze gives the jerky a glistening sheen and balances sweet and salty flavors. It has a wonderful charred taste. My only nitpick is the glaze overwhelms the natural turkey flavor slightly. But the texture remains perfectly chewy.
Rating: 4/5
Sweet & Spicy
This has become my new obsession! The combination of honey and heat is amazing. It starts off tasting sweet and then – bam – the chili garlic spices kick in. If you like heat, this one is a must try. Just know the lingering spice can overpower other flavors.
Rating: 4.5/5
Maple Glazed
With its Vermont maple syrup, this jerky definitely evokes breakfast vibes. It’s decadently sweet and toothsome. Almost too sweet for jerky, but maple fans will dig it.
Rating: 4/5
The Verdict on Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky
After extensive taste tests, I can safely say that Trader Joe’s makes some killer turkey jerky. The original flavor takes the top spot for me. But all the varieties have something unique to offer for different jerky lovers.
The ingredients and craftsmanship are top-notch, resulting in jerky that’s flavorful and tender. Plus Trader Joe’s jerky is nutritious and budget friendly. For a delicious high protein snack, you can’t go wrong with their turkey jerky. It sure satisfies my savory cravings!
Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky
FAQ
Is turkey jerky healthier than beef jerky?
What are the ingredients in Trader Joe’s turkey jerky?
Does Trader Joe’s carry Turkeys?
Why is turkey jerky so good?