Over 30 years ago, Garth McLean moved from New Brunswick and got his first job working in a Federal meat plant as a truck driver. Eventually working his way to sales, Garth was dismayed with all of the chemicals and preservatives used, Garth then developed Canada’s first nitrate-free deli line called Natural Farms. In 2003, Garth’s friends Michelle Neilson & Deanna Bell joined Garth and together they rebranded the company as McLean Meats, drawing inspiration from the words “CLEAN” and “LEAN” in Garth’s last name. McLean Clean & Lean jerky is distributed by McLean Meats Inc. based out of West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The next review on McLean Clean & Lean will focus on a 1.76 ounce/50 gram bag of their black pepper flavored chopped and formed turkey jerky. This jerky was kindly submitted by the Director of Sales, Eastern Canada, Gina Lipton.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Turkey, Evaporated Cane Sugar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Molasses, Sea Salt, Spices (Including Black Pepper) and Spice Extracts, Yeast Extract (Contains Natural Flavour), Garlic Powder, Green Tea Extract, Smoke.
These turkeys are ethically raised, meaning no additional antibiotics or growth hormones are given. The turkeys are carefully sourced from selected farms in the USA and Canada. As a result, the highest ingredient awarded can be Very Good (9/10).
The texture of this jerky is chopped and formed. As a result, without having a natural whole muscle sliced strip of jerky, two ingredient ratings are deducted.
The liquid marinade is comprised of only super healthy apple cider vinegar.
There are multiple healthy ingredients added such as spices, garlic powder, and spice extracts (coriander, white pepper, rosemary).
The sugar level is acceptable at around 3.7 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is fairly low at around 215mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Commendably, minimally processed sea salt is used, which is high on minerals and trace minerals.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similarly unhealthy preservatives, Instead, apart from sea salt, the interesting choice of green tea extract is also used as a preservative, and apple cider vinegar to a lesser extent. Admirably, this jerky also qualifies to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of jerky are small in size, and sliced thick. This chopped and formed texture is soft and tender, being quite easy to chew. There is a light, but pleasant aroma with this jerky.
The first taste detected is a processed meat flavor, which would be par for the course with a chopped and formed texture. Then a good level of black pepper takes notice. Added in is a light flavor of garlic, a light accent of sweetness, and the bite finishes off with a subtle smoked flavor.
Stephane very much enjoyed this flavor and the chopped and formed texture with this to say: “This jerky has a really nice texture and a clean bite. It is lean and the quality of the meat is undeniable. Although, some may have preconceived ideas with chopped and formed, I find, in this case, it actually improves the texture of the product. Turkey is a very lean meat and it tends to be quite dry, especially after spending any length of time in a dehydrator. This is not the case with McLean Turkey Jerky Black Pepper.“
Paul on the other had was not so impressed with this to say: “Although I can immediately detect that this is not beef jerky, I’m not sure I would have guessed turkey. I probably would have guessed chicken before turkey. Like most chopped and formed jerky, it does not taste bad, it just does not grab me in any way, shape or form. I taste very little pepper, for which it is advertised, moreso salt, maybe slight garlic, along with a bit of sweet, but nothing jumps out at me. A somewhat drab jerky, with a rather drab flavour.”
I am not quite as critical here, where this flavor is pleasant tasting. We are however unanimous that the taste of turkey does not come across well. This flavor is recommended to fans of black pepper who prefer an extreme chopped and formed soft & tender texture.
This 1.7 ounce/50 gram bag sells for $5.99, which works out to $3.40 an ounce. That translates to an expensive price.
Bag Review
This non-resealable bag has everything imprinted on both the back and front, with no labels attached. The McLean Clean & Lean logo is a farm on top of a scenic picture showing the surrounding land. To illustrate that further, a fairly high resolution picture of a farm is depicted on the front.
Some slogans printed on this bag are “Clean & Lean Foods”, “Embrace Food With Gratitude”, and “Eat Healthy – Be Kind To Animals”. Some facts printed are “Turkey Raised Without the Use of Antibiotics”, “No Nitrites Added”, “Soy Free”, “Gluten Free”, “No Celery Extract”, “Low Fat Protein Snack”, and “No Preservatives”.
All bag categories are covered here. There is a short blurb printed on the back briefly explaining McLean Meats Inc. As per Canadian law, French translations are required.
Excellent (10/10) – Bag Rating
Check out their web site: www.mcleanmeats.com
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