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 original flavoured chopped and formed beef jerky. This flavour is described as perfect if you want a quick snack that satisfies. The jerky was graciously submitted by Marketing & Social Media Coordinator, Tanner Thompson.
Ingredients: Beef, Salt, Sugars (Sugar, Dextrose, Maltodextrin), Monosodium Glutamate, Spices, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Erythorbate, Yeast Extract, 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.
The only listed healthy ingredient is spices.
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 – ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY (REVIEW #2)
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I smell beef. The pieces are uniform in size and thickness. The jerky is small and thin. It appears to be chopped and formed.
When I bite into the jerky, I am blown away by the flavour. Processed or not, chopped and formed or not, the flavour is the flavour, and the flavour is bloody delicious!! It is somewhat oily, and it leaves an oily residue on your fingers. I taste salt, pepper, garlic, soy, and scrumptious jerky. Sign me up, Big Chief delivers Big Flavour.
I realize that Big Chief Meat Snacks uses MSG, but that typically leads to great flavour, as exhibited by this jerky. A 10/10 gentlemen. A very enthusiastic two thumbs up!!👍👍
Written by guest jerky reviewer Derek Pagie
Texture: Smooth and slippery. I will need to wipe my hands clean. Easy to chew down and bite apart.
Visual: Entire bag consists of approx. 25-30 square pieces in a reddish/brown colour.
Taste: First smells were hints of beef, smoky flavours, and a low amount of saltiness.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Here is what Mark had to say about this original beef jerky flavour from Big Chief Meat Snacks: “Thanks Paul and Derek for the taste reviews. I, too was impressed with this original flavour. Very soft and easy to chew. Being chopped and formed creates a distinct uniform flavour. Big Chief Meat Snacks nails that flavour being very well-balanced and addictive.”
“Due to COVID-19, we are down to just three members from the Group of Seven. For the first time in near seven years, I am going to award an Excellent (10/10) taste rating to a chopped and formed flavour.”
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.
Excellent (10/10) – 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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