The next review on Jack Link’s will be on a 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag of their Kung Pao flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a store named Greggs Market Place, in Marathon, New York.
The Jack Link’s brand name is manufactured by Link Snacks, Inc., based out of Minong, Wisconsin. It all started in the 1880’s when Jack Link’s great-grandfather, Chris, settled in Minong, Wisconsin. In 1885 the Jack Link’s brand name was introduced. From generation to generation, they kept on making their legendary sausages and smoked meats. Today, they sell more than 100 different meat snack products in more than 40 countries.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Brown Sugar, Sugar, Less than 2% Flavorings, Salt, Soy Sauce ([Wheat, Soybeans, Salt], Maltodextrin), Yeast Extract, Sherry Wine Solids, Citric Acid. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is just plain old water. A decent soy sauce is used, but it is just dried soy sauce, which would not be as healthy as a liquid soy sauce being processed.
The sugar level is a little high at 4 grams per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 3 grams or under of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is very high at 490mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or under per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky qualifies to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt is the main preservative. Flavorings is a very vague ingredient name, which could contain the natural preservative celery powder. With further kudos, this jerky also qualifies to have no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips are a mixture of small to medium in size. The thickness is not consistent, where it can range from near thin, to near thick. This texture is sort of dry, and somewhat a challenge to chew. There are no visible signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is a mild level of soy, and too high a level of saltiness. There is a mild level of sweetness, and a faint peppered taste. A Kung Pao flavor by definition should be spicy tasting, where there is very little spiciness here. At best, it would rate a one out of five on a heat scale.
Also by definition, a Kung Pao flavor should have a peanut taste, and Jack Link’s even describes this flavor as having “roasted peanut-y goodness”. No peanut flavor is detected, but there is a mystery flavor mixed in here. While not a listed ingredient, there does seem to be a mild level of smokiness. There is also a light level of garlic. Overall, a somewhat interesting tasting flavor, but not much in the way of a Kung Pao flavor.
This 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag cost $6.99, which works out to $2.15 an ounce. That equates to an average price. While not a bad tasting jerky, we are not sure who this flavor would appeal to.
Bag Review
As with most Jack Link’s bags, they are professional looking, and busy. This is a resealable bag with everything imprinted directly on the front and back. There are no labels affixed to this bag.
Their main slogan is “Feed Your Wild Side”. There are many facts printed on this bag such as “Slow Cooked With Authentic Kung Pao Spices”, “Premium Cuts”, “Wild Side Flavor Limited Edition”, “96% Fat Free”, “10g Protein*”, “8g Total Carbs”, and “Packaged in the USA”.
All bag categories are covered here. There are good blurbs on the back describing this flavor, and about Jack Link’s. To the credit of Jack Link’s, they offer a phone number for customer inquiries. Also to their credit, a “family quality guarantee” is offered.
Leave a Comment