Let's talk jerky!
We produce by hand in small batches using time-honoured methods, , from slicing, marinating, hot smoking through to packing with an uncompromising commitment to quality. Our current flavours include Original, Peppered, Tex-Mex, Trail (Gluten-free) and Whisky jerky of course!
We start by hand washing, trimming and then slicing the beef. Depending on the flavour we then marinade the strips with the best quality ingredients and spices for 48 hours (about 2 days). Then comes the racking (60 racks to fill per batch) and air drying for 24 hours before finally being loaded into our 108-gallon up cycled Sherry cask barrel smokers.
(7 Kg of silverside, sliced, Original seasoning applied and ready for mixing and marinading with Lea and Perrins )
We have a smoker for each flavour and our Trail/gluten free jerky has its own dedicated smoker to ensure no cross-contamination. Using charcoal from sustainable sources, the racks of beef are then traditionally hot smoked with smouldering wood chips and cooked for up to 12 hours depending on ambient temperatures. This results in Jerky that is succulent, delicious, comforting and packed with healthy energy-boosting protein. 
In fact our beef jerky contains 51.4g of protein per 100g of Jerky, that's 28% more than the main large commercial brands available in the UK.
Your jerky is packed into either 50g snack packs or 200g resealable biodegradable bulk “expedition” pouches with a 3-month ambient shelf life from production. (If a 12-month shelf life is required we can provide this on request but using plastic). We think this makes Smoky Barrel Jerky the choice for protein and flavour when planning your activity. It is the perfect healthy alternative to fatty snacks and a great source of protein
What is jerky?
Jerky is dried, high protein, low fat meat, usually beef, which rehydrates in the mouth, releasing its stored flavours and has a long ambient temperature shelf life. Making it the perfect choice for taking on outdoor activities, training or for use in the kitchen.
Mankind will have discovered many years ago that meat cooked and smoked over a fire tasted better and lasted longer. The first records of dried preserved meat however were found in tombs in Egypt.
The Incas had been producing dried meat in the Andes Mountain range since around 1500 and most probably used Llama and Alpaca meat! They called it “Ch’arki” which comes from the Quechua language native to South America and means “dried meat".
English speaking people heard this word and changed it to a word that was easier for them to pronounce, and “Ch’arki" became “Jerky".
Since then, Pioneers and Cowboys in the USA made Jerky an ideal trail food. These days now due to its long shelf life at ambient temperatures and high protein content many body builders, outdoors enthusiasts as well as Professional Chefs and home cooks are enjoying the benefits of Jerky.
Great for outdoor pursuits and sports:
Pack some of our 200g resealable "expedition" jerky pouches in your backpack or pocket and take them with you on the go anywhere. It is the perfect lightweight choice for the great outdoors, whether exercising, walking, driving cycling, golfing, mountain biking, fishing, hill walking, camping, kayaking, climbing or skiing you'll always have a protein boost snack to hand as well as salt to replenish you after exercising.
For people watching their weight, it is an ideal choice as part of a calorie-controlled diet, also paleo and keto diets. Perfect to keep on top of your protein intake. With a gluten/barley free option, it is a healthy, nutritious, low fat and delicious, tasty alternative to crisps or sugary, carbohydrate heavy or fatty snack, or at any time of the day.
Home and kitchen:
Keep some in your kitchen cupboard to simply enjoy a pack with your favourite tipple with friends or watching TV! Adds real smoky and savoury flavours when chopped up and added to many dishes such as soups, stews, Jacket potatoes salads and pasta dishes. Why not check out our recipes?