For over 130 years, McCormick has grown to be one of the biggest companies selling spices, among other food products. Located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, McCormick created a Grill Mates product line for their meats. McCormick teamed up with Red Truck Beef Jerky to launch this Grill Mates jerky line. Ten percent of the online proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
This Grill Mates brand name is distributed by Red Truck Beef Jerky LLC, and it is located in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The next review for Grill Mates will focus on a 3 ounce/85.05 gram bag of their Montreal Steak beef jerky. This flavor is described as having a classic blend of coarsely ground black pepper, garlic, and a proprietary spice blend. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by the CRO of Red Truck Beef Jerky, Tyler.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Beef Broth, Brown Sugar, Salt, Montreal Steak Seasoning (Corn Maltodextrin, Spices, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Natural Flavors), Contains 2% or Less of Natural Flavors, Vinegar, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Erythorbate, Citric Acid, Oleoresin Paprika, 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 healthy beef broth and healthy vinegar.
The sugar level is a little high at 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is also a little high at 400mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose another 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 sodium nitrite is used outright, including sodium erythorbate as preservatives to lose a rating. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added as the highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
GRILL MATES – MONTREAL STEAK BEEF BITES
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell either juice or soy. Maybe both. They are cut medium in size, and they are very thick. The jerky is soft and chewy, and it leaves a significant oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the “beef bites” I taste salt, slightly sweet, garlic, soy, natural beef, light pepper, and maybe pineapple juice.
There is some fat on this jerky, which greatly intensifies the flavor of the beef. I am enjoying these meat morsels immensely. They are truly “beef steak bites”, and I am duly impressed. A no-doubter 10/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Montreal Steak flavor from Grill Mates: “Thanks Paul for the succinct taste review. I am in agreement with every point. Yes, the fat greatly enhances the natural beef flavor. Yes, these ‘morsels’ are sliced extremely thick, which does resemble a steak. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed these steak bites also. Although debatable, the only minor issue is that the taste of Montreal steak spice does not prominently stand out. Montreal steak spice is a fantastic collection of various spices, but I suppose the Montreak steak spices are at an acceptable level. As a result, it’s unanimous that an Excellent (10/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
Red Truck Beef Jerky sells two 3 ounce/85.05 gram bags of Grill Mates jerky for $17.35. That equates to $2.89 an ounce, which just barely rates at an average price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable professional-looking plastic bag has everything imprinted on to the bag itself, both on the front and back. On the front, there is a high-resolution picture of jerky strips. The McCormick Spices logo is printed on the front whom provides this Montreal steak spice.
Some slogans printed on this bag are “Made With McCormick Spices”, “Enjoy it Anywhere”, and “Gourmet Beef Jerky. Some facts printed on his bag are “Made in USA” and “Beef Jerky Is A Good Source Of Protein”.
All bag categories are covered here except a transparent window to view the jerky. There is a good blurb printed on the back of the bag about Grill Mates and this Montreal steak spice.
Excellent (10/10) – Bag Rating
Order their jerky online: www.redtruckbeefjerky.com
Leave a Comment