The Ultimate Guide to Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky

As a Trader Joe’s fanatic, I’m always on the hunt for their latest and greatest products. And one item that’s a staple in my shopping cart is their turkey jerky. Trader Joe’s makes some of the best turkey jerky around – it’s flavorful, tender, and surprisingly addicting.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Trader Joe’s delicious turkey jerky. We’ll cover the different flavors, nutrition facts, cost breakdown, and tips for picking the best bags. I’ll also provide my honest thoughts and recommendations after taste testing every variety.

So if you’re a fellow TJ’s turkey jerky lover, or looking to try it for the first time, keep reading! This guide has everything you need to become a turkey jerky connoisseur.

An Overview of Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky

Trader Joe’s offers high-quality turkey jerky made from turkey breast meat that’s sliced and dried It comes in a resealable stand-up pouch that contains about four ounces of jerky

They have four main flavors:

• Original The classic flavor with a bold, smoky taste. It’s seasoned simply with sea salt and cracked black pepper

• Teriyaki: The jerky gets glazed in a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce. It has a wonderful sticky texture.

• Sweet & Spicy: This variety balances honey with chili and garlic for a flavor explosion. It has a nice kick of heat.

• Maple Glazed: Real Vermont maple syrup gives this jerky its signature flavor. It tastes like breakfast!

No matter which flavor you choose, you can count on Trader Joe’s turkey jerky to be made with premium ingredients. It has an artisanal quality you can really taste.

Nutrition Information

One of the things that makes Trader Joe’s turkey jerky stand out is that it’s surprisingly nutritious.

A 1 ounce serving contains about:

• 70 calories
• 16 grams of protein
• 1.5 grams of fat
• 370 mg of sodium

So it packs quite a protein punch! It’s a filling meaty snack that won’t weigh you down.

The jerky is also sugar-free, gluten-free, nitrate-free, and contains no MSG. So you can feel good about enjoying it.

Just be mindful of the sodium levels if you’re watching your salt intake. Moderation is key.

Cost Breakdown

Trader Joe’s turkey jerky offers great value for the quality. Here’s a cost breakdown:

• Each pouch contains 4 ounces of jerky
• The pouches retail for $5.99 each
• That comes out to $1.50 per ounce

Compared to other premium jerkies that can cost $2 – $3 per ounce, Trader Joe’s is very reasonably priced.

You get delicious jerky made from high-quality ingredients for an affordable price. It’s perfect for stocking up your snack stash without breaking the bank.

Picking the Best Pouches

When you’re shopping for Trader Joe’s turkey jerky, here are some tips for picking the freshest pouches:

• Check the expiration date: Try to pick ones furthest from expiring.

• Inspect the pouch: Avoid any with tears or leaks which could cause early spoilage.

• Give it a sniff: Make sure it has that characteristic turkey jerky aroma. Discard any with an off smell.

• Look for a golden color: The jerky should have a rich golden brown tone. Grayish meat likely means it’s old.

• Feel the texture: The jerky should be dry but still pliable, not brittle.

Following these guidelines will help ensure you get the best tasting turkey jerky!

Storing and Shelf Life

Once opened, Trader Joe’s recommends consuming their turkey jerky within three weeks. To maximize freshness:

• Store unopened pouches in a cool, dry place away from direct light.

• After opening, reseal the pouch tightly and refrigerate.

• Use within 3 weeks for peak quality and taste.

• Discard any remaining jerky after 3 weeks. Don’t chance eating expired jerky!

Proper storage helps preserve the jerky’s texture and bold flavors.

Serving Suggestions and Uses

The possibilities are endless when it comes to enjoying Trader Joe’s turkey jerky:

• Eat it straight out of the pouch as a high protein snack
• Break it up and add to salads for a jerkified crunch
• Chop it into chunks for an instant meaty ramen topper
• Crumble it on top of nachos or baked potatoes
• Slice it thin and make turkey jerky wraps
• Mix bits into egg scrambles or omelets
• Use it in place of bacon bits on sandwiches or burgers

However you choose to eat it, Trader Joe’s turkey jerky always satisfies!

Rating Every Flavor

Now for my personal taste test and ratings of every Trader Joe’s turkey jerky variety:

Original

With its straightforward salt and pepper flavor, this one is a true crowd pleaser. The jerky has a deep smoky taste that makes it super craveable. It’s not too tough – the turkey fibers break apart nicely. The pepper gives it a bit of zing without overpowering.

I’d buy this again and again for its classic flavor. It’s so addicting!

Rating: 5/5

Teriyaki

The teriyaki glaze coats each piece with a shiny sweet and sticky sauce. You get that characteristic charred teriyaki flavor with a nice balance of savory and sweet.

My only complaint is that the glaze seems to mask the natural turkey flavor a bit. But the texture remains perfectly chewy. Overall a solid choice!

Rating: 4/5

Sweet & Spicy

This has become my new obsession! The combination of honey and chili makes for an amazing flavor profile. It starts off sweet and then BAM you get hit by the heat. For spice lovers, this one is a must try.

The only downside is the heat can linger and overpower the other flavors. But it’s thrilling if you like things extra spicy!

Rating: 4.5/5

Maple Glazed

This is pure breakfast in jerky form! The real Vermont maple syrup gives it an incredible sweetness that sings. Each piece is toothsome and decadent.

My only nitpick is that it’s almost too sweet for jerky. But the maple fans will go crazy for this.

Rating: 4/5

The Verdict

After extensive taste testing, I can confidently say that Trader Joe’s makes some darn good turkey jerky. Their original flavor is my personal favorite for its perfect smoky pepperiness. But all the varieties have something special to offer.

What sets TJ’s turkey jerky apart is the quality of the meat and ingredients. You can tell it’s made by hand with care. Plus it’s nutritious and budget friendly – what’s not to love?

So if you’re searching for a protein-packed snack that doesn’t skimp on flavor, look no further than Trader Joe’s turkey jerky. I promise it won’t disappoint!