For three generations, the Klein family has been making meat snacks. Originally a sausage producer and delicatessen, Alberta Fancy Sausage Ltd. was founded in 1971. When the switch was made from delicatessen to beef jerky manufacturer, Big Chief Meat Snacks new jerky brand evolved. Family-owned, Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc. promotes active lifestyles and a balanced diet. People referred to the founder William Klein as “Big Chief” and how the Big Chief jerky brand name was adopted. This Big Chief Meat Snacks jerky brand name is distributed under Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc., and it is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The next review on Big Chief Meat Snacks will focus on a 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of their teriyaki flavoured chopped and formed beef jerky. This flavour is described as perfect if you want a quick snack that satisfies. The jerky was kindly submitted by Marketing & Social Media Coordinator, Tanner Thompson.
Ingredients: Beef, Sugars (Fructose, Honey Powder, Honey), Salt, Spices and Spice Extracts, Monosodium Glutamate, Seasoning, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite, Natural Honey Essence. Allergen Warnings: Soy
Alberta’s locally sourced beef is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. The cattle are 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 Very Good (9/10) rating.
The texture of this jerky is chopped and formed. As a result, two ingredient ratings are deducted without a natural whole sliced strip of jerky.
There are some healthy ingredients added, such as spices, spice extractives, and honey powder. The vague term seasoning is used, which may include healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
The sugar level is excellent at only 1 gram of sugar per 30 grams of jerky. The salt level is quite high at 590mg of salt per 30 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite as both sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite are used as preservatives to lose a rating.
This jerky does not qualify to be MSG-free, as the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used outright to lose a rating. The highly processed cheap flavour enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Bad (3/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
BIG CHIEF MEAT SNACKS – TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I don’t pick up on a discernible smell.
The jerky is “chopped and formed”, meaning the pieces are uniform in size, shape, thickness & texture. They are small pieces, cut into a square size with a medium thickness, and it leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The first flavours I encounter are salt, at a high level, pepper, little sweet, especially for a teriyaki flavour, very mild garlic, and not much of a traditional teriyaki flavour. While I am thoroughly enjoying these “chopped and formed” meat morsels, they do not come through as a teriyaki flavour. For that reason only can I deduct a point, even though I am not much of a teriyaki fan, it still should taste like it is advertised. Again, great taste, but not accurate as a teriyaki flavour, so a 9/10 in my opinion. Gentlemen?
Here is what Derek had to say: “Never particularly been a big fan of jerky, and the idea of writing a review was laughable, but here I am writing my first and possibly my last. I’ve often found jerky tasted too smoked, greasy, spicy, and not organic enough.”
“I say that is because the kitchen is a foreign country to me with all its different meats, vegetables, flavoring, and spices. My wife does 90% of the cooking at our place, and I LOVE it because she can cook, creating all the essentials to a great meal or snack.”
“I know texture, smell, and TASTE because I’m her taste-tester, guinea pig, and best/worst critique.”
“Today, when I opened the zip-locked orange bag of Big Chief Teriyaki, flavoured jerky, I was shocked. It reminded me of coming home to dinner one night a couple of months ago. The house smelled delicious, and I was starving. The smell of beef and chicken marinated in VH med garlic sauce was very similar to opening the bag.”
“When I had my first bite, I tasted hints of salt, honey, bar-b-q sauce, and teriyaki. The pieces were square and uniform. The taste was not overbearing or intense, but just right. The texture was a little bit greasy and had a rippled feel to the tongue. Overall it was one of my best jerky experiences, and I would highly recommend it. I give it a rating 9/10.”
“Great job BIG Chief!!”
Here is what Mark had to say about this teriyaki beef jerky flavour from Big Chief Meat Snacks: “Thanks Paul and Derek for the honest taste reviews. I agree with both of you 100% percent. A great tasting flavour but does not much resemble a teriyaki flavour. Had this been an original flavour both Paul and I would have been inclined to award a 10 taste rating. This chopped and formed texture is interesting being very easy to chew being so soft and tender, and easy on the teeth.”
“Due to COVID-19, we are down to four members of the Group of Seven. Mark M. enjoyed this flavour and was compelled to award a 10 taste rating. Derek, who is new to the Group of Seven and not having much experience with jerky was at a 9 rating. I am in Paul’s and Derek’s camp with a 9 rating also because of the lack of teriyaki flavour. We feel that a Very Good (9/10) taste rating is warranted.”
This 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of jerky cost $6.50. That works out to $2.31 an ounce, which rates at a cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
The resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted directly on the bag, both on the front and back. There are no labels affixed to this bag. A graphic is displayed on the back of a cow’s head that cleverly has the B from the Big Chief logo.
A slogan on this bag could be “Big Taste. Big Adventure.”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Chopped and Formed”, “Excellent Source of Protein”, “Gluten Free”, and “Product of Canada.
The only bag category missing is a transparent window to view the actual jerky. As per Canadian law, French translations are provided. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin icons are displayed. Commendably, a telephone number is displayed for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.bigchiefmeatsnacks.com
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