The next review on Chops Beef Jerky will be on a 2.75 ounce/79 gram bag of their sweet & spicy flavored beef brisket jerky. This sweet & spicy flavor is described as the perfect balance between sweet pineapple and lemon juice with a kick from the chili peppers. The jerky bag was graciously submitted for review by the Head of Digital, Carole Gervasi.
Chops Beef Jerky is distributed by Chops Snacks, Inc., and they are located in New Haven, Connecticut. It all started in the summer of 2013, when after a long day at the country farm in the Pacific Northwest, Dusty Jaquins became thoroughly disappointed with the flavorless, tough jerky at his local store. After experimenting with some jerky recipes, Dusty, with his 30+ years of experience in the food industry, teamed up with Aaron Jones and Luke Sellers, who officially launched the Chops Beef Jerky brand in 2013. Only USDA Choice & Select brisket cuts of beef sourced from American beef are used. Chops Beef Jerky not only claims to have an exceptionally tender texture, they guarantee to have the most tender jerky texture on the market today. The Chops Beef Jerky motto is “Life’s Tough. Chew Easy”. There are currently four flavors for sale, including teriyaki, red chili pepper, and sweet & spicy.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef Brisket, Low-Sodium Gluten-Free Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol), Brown Sugar, Cayenne Pepper Sauce (Aged Cayenne Red Pepper, Vinegar, Water, Salt, Garlic Powder), Lemon Juice, Black Pepper, Granulated Garlic, Jalapeno Powder (Diced Jalapeno Peppers). Allergen Warnings: Soy
The beef brisket used here is guaranteed to be ethically raised, meaning free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. These cattle are not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam about. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade used here is comprised of just a high-end low-sodium gluten-free tamari soy sauce, a quality cayenne pepper sauce, and healthy lemon juice. The fruit lemons are loaded with vitamin C, and it acts as a meat tenderizer to a certain extent.
Some healthy ingredients are added such as black pepper and granulated garlic.
Apart from the hot sauce, some of the heat is achieved from the jalapeno powder. Hot peppers are healthy if consumed in moderation, which flush toxins out of the body.
The sugar level is on the high side at 7 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor as we have here. Our preference is 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is a tad high at 360mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or lower per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky qualifies to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservative. Instead, salt is the main preservative used. With more kudos to Chops Beef Jerky, this jerky has no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
At first glance, this sweet & spicy beef brisket jerky by Chops Beef Jerky carries an inviting tamari aroma and its tenderness is simply indisputable. The flavor of this delectable and high quality tamari sauce is conspicuous. It is palpable in every bite and elevates this flavor above all others.
It is a well known fact that a brisket cut of beef absorbs the liquid marinade exceptionally well and this jerky is absolutely bursting with rich, decadent and deep flavors.
The sweetness of this jerky is fairly accentuated and its gentle spiciness creates a well balanced and very interesting flavor profile.
There is a light acidity and tanginess from the lemon juice. A decent amount of black pepper stands proudly and pairs well with the Tabasco style hot sauce. These flavors are followed by a mild level of garlic as they nicely blend together on the finish.
The spiciness is very present and at a reasonable level. These slices do not pack excessive heat and the seasoning dances around while respecting the beautiful meaty flavor of the brisket. The spiciness builds up after chewing a few strips and as a spicy based flavor the heat level is reasonable and middle of the road.
These strips are mainly medium in size with some on the small size. Their thickness varies from thin to somewhat thick although mostly thin. The texture is advertised as being unparalleled and exceptionally tender. This fun and exciting texture certainly qualifies as soft and tender as it is most certainly easy to chew. These morsels leave a minimal oily residue on your fingers and helps maintain its moist texture.
This tasty jerky would be amazingly enjoyable if chopped up and generously sprinkled over eggs or omelets, waffles or crepes, in a favorite sandwich, burger or grilled cheese, Mac & Cheese, pastas, mashed potatoes or as a topping over a baked potato, salads, a delicious pizza or a great poutine or simply folded in a veggie dip to name just a few!
The sweet & spicy beef brisket jerky by Chops Beef Jerky is succulent and a highly addictive treat. This tasty snack stands on its own. It also has the potential and virtually endless possibilities to improve or create wonderful appetizers and dishes. I highly recommend this exceptional beef jerky and rate this snack 10/10.
A 2.75 ounce/79 gram bag of jerky sells online for $6.99, which works out to $2.54 an ounce. That would rate as an average price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This plastic resealable bag has everything imprinted on the bag itself, both on the front and back, with no labels affixed.
A slogan printed on this bag is “Exceptionally Tender Beef Brisket”. Some facts printed on this bag are “All Natural”, “No Artificial Ingredients”, “Minimally Processed”, “9g Protein”, “80 Calories”, 1g Total Fat”, and “Proudly Made in the United States of America”.
The only bag category missing is that the company web site is not provided. However, a QR Code is displayed, which links to their web site. A good blurb is printed on the back describing Chops Beef Jerky. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram social media handles are provided.
Excellent (10/10) – Bag Rating
Order their jerky online: www.chopssnacks.com
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