Lee’s Market was founded in 1962 on the premise of providing quality products at a convenience to customers in the Newport, Michigan area. Since then, they have grown to a staple in Southeastern Michigan for jerky, as what many of their customers believe to be “The Best Jerky Around”. All their artisan jerky is 100% USDA approved, hand sliced, house-brined, and wood smoked.
Currently, Lee’s Market is owned by husband and wife Danny and Carrie Bergmoser. The jerky choices are beef, poultry, elk, or venison, with about a dozen flavors available. Lee’s Market is one of Southeastern Michigan’s best kept secrets. This Lee’s Market jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Lee’s Market, and it is located in Newport, Michigan, USA.
The first review on Lee’s Market will focus on a 8 ounce/226.8 gram bag of their Original flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as being an incredible flavor that has been a house specialty since its creation. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by the co-owner, Carrie Bergmoser.
Ingredient Review
Beef, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Molasses, Caramel Color, Sugar, Spices, Anchovies, Monosodium Glutamate, Less Than 2% Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tamarind Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Nitrate. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Anchovies
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 water and healthy distilled vinegar.
Some healthy ingredients are added, such as anchovies and spices, which include black pepper.
The sugar level is very low at less than 1 gram of sugar per 28g grams of jerky. The salt level is off the charts high at 880mg of salt per 28 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 added as similar preservatives potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate is used to lose a rating. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added as monosodium glutamate is used outright to lose another rating. The highly processed, cheap flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
LEE’S MARKET – ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell soy. The pieces are huge. They are long and thick and are in between soft and hard, and the texture is favorable, not perfect, but darn near close. The jerky leaves a small amount of oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into these “very meaty, very tasty” treats, I am met with a myriad of spectacular flavors. The salt is at a high (yet very manageable level), and there is minimal sweet (another bonus), pepper (also at a high yet delicious level), garlic, onion, soy, and natural beef. I feel like I am eating “strips of steak”.
This might very well be my favorite flavor of beef jerky in quite some time, it delivers on ALL things intended in a delectable jerky snack. This jerky reminds me a bit of The Smoked Factory’s jerky, not so much in texture but in flavor and addictability, this flavor is coming through in spades.
Gentlemen, excuse me while I go and grab a drool bag or something. There is a puddle forming at my feet from all the excessive saliva emanating from my mouth. D*mn, this flavor is, as Jimmy from Good Times used to say, “DYNAMITE!!!!!
We have hit paydirt here as a no-brainer 10/10, or 100/10, etc. Two thumbs way up!!!👍👍 Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Lee’s Market – Original Beef Jerky is truly outstanding, and it just made my Top 3 Beef Jerky list. These folks really know their jerky, and they’ve unlocked the magical ingredients. The aroma, texture, and flavor are out of this world. The flavor profile is rich and deep, and as the texture is a conductor of flavor, the thickness of these strips makes this beautiful jerky stands in its own class.
I am absolutely amazed by Lee’s Market – Original Beef Jerky, the beefy flavor is front and center, and it is properly complemented by its seasoning and not the other way around. There are other flavors like soy present, and they stick to their own lane. This is a fantastic representation of what an Original Flavor should be, and it delivers in spades. This delicious masterpiece rightfully deserves an easy 10/10 Taste Rating.
My question and only dilemma are: Where can I buy some more?
Here is what Mark had to say about this original beef jerky flavor from Lee’s Market: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the glowing taste reviews. It is unanimous. This is an outstanding jerky flavor. Initially, I thought it was too salty (may have been too peppery), but as I consumed more strips, it turned out not to be too distracting. The texture is interesting because most of these strips are quite thick, where the saltiness is not quite as prevalent.”
“These strips are akin to eating steak out of a bag. If you look at the ingredient list, it is mainly a homemade Worcestershire sauce. Anchovies is an underrated jerky ingredient. In any case, Lee’s Market knocks this flavor out of the park. A no-brainer Excellent (10/10) taste rating will be awarded. Two thumbs way up!!!👍👍
This 8 ounce/226.8 gram bag of beef jerky sells for $15.49. That works out to $1.94 an ounce, which rates as a cheap price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This clear nonresealable plastic bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back except a batch number sticker. There is an illustration of a pig holding two knives on the front. The bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
A slogan printed is “Hand Crafted And Michigan Made”. There are no facts printed on this bag.
Some missing bag categories are a blurb about this jerky or flavor, slits to easily open the bag, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stamp, and a best before date, although there is a batch number provided. To the credit of Lee’s Market, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries. A QR code is displayed linking to Lee’s Market website.
Order their jerky online: https://leesmarketjerky.com
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