This next review on the Simms brand of jerky will be on a 6.2 ounce/175 gram bag of their teriyaki flavored beef jerky. Worth noting is that the actual jerky weight is only 152 grams, where the net weight includes the bag weight. This bag was purchased at an Aldi store in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
This Simms brand of jerky is distributed by Aldi Inc., based out of Batavia, Illinois. Aldi is a very large company with grocery stores located in at least 18 countries around the world. This jerky is manufactured by the private label company Marfood USA, located in Taylor, Michigan. That would make this jerky a stock recipe.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Sugar, Contains 2% or Less of Fructose, Salt, Soy Sauce (Soybeans, Salt), Maltodextrin, Flavorings, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Sodium Erythorbate, Paprika Extract, Sodium Nitrite Allergen Warnings: Soy
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 comprised of just water and soy sauce. It is odd that no liquid such as water is listed in the soy sauce ingredient list, where this may be just soy sauce in powder form.
The vague term flavorings is used, which can mean many different things. There could be healthy foods included in the flavorings, and it could contain unhealthy things also. Paprika extractive is known to be quite healthy.
The sugar level is a little on the high side, having 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. We would rather not see the sugar level exceed 3 grams. The salt level is especially high at 550mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less.
This jerky does use unhealthy sodium nitrite as the main preservative, apart from salt. This jerky does not qualify to be MSG free. The highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed corn protein is used. Hydrolyzed corn protein is also a form of unhealthy trans fats.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These jerky strips are small to medium in size, and the thickness is medium. There is a somewhat dry, decent texture. The strips are quite pink in the middle, which is a telltale sign that lots of sodium nitrite is used. There are some visible signs of fat that add to the overall taste, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is a processed beef flavor. There is also a too high level of sweetness. The saltiness is at a mild level, and there is a mild soy flavor. There is not much else to this flavor other than a light level of paprika, and perhaps onion. Overall, a rather nondescript tasting flavor, which does not capture a classic tasting teriyaki flavor.
This 6.2 ounce/175 gram bag cost $5.89. That works out to an incredibly cheap price of $1.05 an ounce. While you could do worse, we do not recommend this jerky as worth your money.
Bag Review
This is a rather tall bag, needed to fit 6.2 ounces/175 grams. Everything is imprinted directly on this resealable bag, both on the front and back. There are almost no graphics.
There are no obvious slogans on this bag, but a number of facts displayed. They are “97% Fat Free”, “11g Protein”, “6g Total Carbs”, “0g Trans Fat”, “Made in USA”, “Premium Cuts of Beef”, “Specially Seasoned and Slowly Cooked”, and a “Lactose Free” image.
All major bag categories are covered. There is a short but good blurb on the back about Simms beef jerky. There is no web site listed. One oddity is that there are four bar codes printed on this bag. Admirable, Aldi Inc. offers a “Double Guarantee”, where they will both replace your product, and refund your money if you are not satisfied.
Was just wondering if the soy sauce that you use on the Teriyaki beef jerky is gluten free?
It does not really state on the bag and usually Soy contains wheat.
Please let me know. I have a bag and want to eat some of it but am scared to on account i have a gluten intolerence.
Hi Stephanie, you can be confident that this jerky does not contain wheat.
Is is Gluten free?
Hi Amie, most likely this teriyaki flavor is gluten free, although that fact is not explicitly stated on the bag. This bag was purchased in 2014, where that may be different today.
Best jerky you can buy! Nothing compares!
Ok,.. so I found this jerky at Aldi’s in New York,.. but I e noticed there are different recipes on either bag, same product, different recipes… Total different taste also… One has a woodsy, flavor like a smoked jerky,.. this is dry, and borderline taste like smoked wood chips..
The other you can see that the strips are thicker, ALOT more tender, and you can taste different flavors,.. definitely more pineapple,. And this jerky has a little heat after you eat a few pieces…. Is there a reason they would use two different recipes, totally taste different,.. different protein levels, but package it being the same product.. I have the 2 bags with me,.. and it says 2 different recipes,.. but selling same product ??.. I’m confused here.. any clues ?
It’s funny. A jerky maker will claim to have the best jerky in the world, and a year later they tweak the recipe. This happens a lot and especially with the bigger jerky brands, many of whom are made by a private label company, such as Aldi. Usually when the bag design is tweaked, a new jerky ingredient list will be introduced. It is what it is.